The Art of Flaneuring

I loved Erika Owen's book, "The Art of Flaneuring!" This was a very helpful guide on "flaneuring," a concept born from old French men from years past who would aimlessly wander looking for romance in the day-to-day details that oftentimes go ignored. The book takes this decades-old concept into the 21st century with a host of ideas for flaneuring in the modern age.

Ms. Owen also makes it clear time and time again that this concept isn't just for old French men either. She gives great tips for women who would like to flaneur as well. She speaks to the reader like she is an old friend, picking up on an old conversation. Her language style is casual and humorous. It is like she found her new favorite hobby and wants everyone to know about it. That relaxed style invites the reader to join her on her journey and to take up the new endeavor alongside her.

The book covers flaneuring in your city as well as in a new city. It covers flaneuring in the car or on a bike, flaneuring for exercise, and many other related topics. This was a wonderful new concept that I hope to incorporate more and more into my own routines to "see" more of the world around me.

If you want to learn more about this beautiful exercise of aimlessly wandering with the intention of discovering the beauty around you, go get a copy of Ms. Owen's new book!

I received this as an eBook from Tiller Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of the title. I did not receive any compensation from either company. The opinions expressed herein are completely my own.

I really loved the concept of Flaneuring! I also purchased another book recommended in this book about the history of flaneuring. I think in the fast moving world we live in, this is just the kind of idea we need to spread. Slow down, take some time to wander a bit and take in your surroundings.

"Flanuering" is a word I had encountered before and immediately loved. As the subtitle indicates, it's a sort of wandering without a set destination. I think we've all done this at one time or another - especially as children. Flaneuring reminds me of how I used to wander the woods behind my house for hours, just poking into things, and the magical feeling of "discovering" an old barn or neighbors I never knew were on the other side of the wood. It's one of those nostalgic feelings that I've always thought of recapturing.

The Art of Flaneuring is just the book I needed for that. It goes through a short history of the original French flaneurs, and then dives right into how one can incorporate flanuering into your daily routine. I thought the recommendations were great, and there was pretty much something for everyone. I did get the feeling that flanuering would work best in a large walkable city, like New York (where I think the author lives), and many recommendations assume a city like that a little. However, there really is something for everyone, including recommendations for people who can't walk.

I would highly recommend The Art of Flaneuring for anyone who gets that wanderlust feeling at home. This book seems styled in the tradition of The Little Book of Hygge or The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up - small, well-designed, and focusing on a small change that can make a big difference in day-to-day life.