The Archaic Smile — Jeffrey Buller

Written in lucid, companionable prose, The Archaic Smile is a month-long itinerary of reckonings: Vietnam to Cambodia to Laos to Thailand. It tells a story about art and observation, kindness and fatigue, and the surprising ways travel changes us by teaching us to notice what was there all along. Perfect for readers who enjoy reflective travel writing with literary depth-Pico Iyer, Teju Cole, Olivia Laing-and for anyone who has ever crossed a border hoping to come back to themselves.