Four years after it was first published, Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel continues to sell steadily and attract the attention of travelers and travel-dreamers worldwide. Here are some recent snippets of feedback from reader emails, organized by theme and utility:

For leaving behind the world of work:

“I just finished your book, and I must say what an inspiring read it was. I’m glad that you address the specifics of leaving behind the typical work life for vagabonding. I’ve been wrestling with the actual logistics of long-term travel for many months. …I loved the whole concept of the anti-sabbatical. I shared this with a friend and just as I imagined, she responded with a puzzled and concerned look. Most everyone around me will probably look at such concepts as an excuse for being lazy. After all, doesn’t everyone associate “travel” with vacation and therefore, leisure? How do you even begin helping them understand that our lives were not meant to be devoted purely to work?”

For practical travel information:

“I just wanted to say thank you for writing Vagabonding. It was introduced to me by a really good friend and I have passed it on to others who have also enjoyed reading it. It has been a great source of reference and guide.”

For slowing down and not micromanaging our travels

“I absolutely loved Vagabonding. Just from reading your book, you’ve really helped me relax already! My whole life, I’ve always been go-go-go. …As I plan my trip, I keep thinking about how much I want to pack in — but reading your book has made me slow down and not try to plan every minute (something that’s very difficult for me to do).”

For helping to focus old travel dreams:

“For a number of years now, I have been waiting for my chance to strike out on my own on what I have always called my ‘hoboing trip’; no one I know seems ever to understand my impassioned desire for a journey in freedom, so when I read your book, it was like discovering a whole new world full of like-minded people. My ‘hoboing’ is simply a personalized version of what you and others have termed vagabonding.”

For inspiration to live life creatively

“I actually recommended the book to some friends of mine who aren’t as interested in travel per se, as it contained a lot of great life insight. I was especially interested in the part about living your home life with the same exploratory zeal you would normally save for your travel life. Good stuff.”

For encouragement:

“I’d like to say that your book Vagabonding has completely opened my eyes, and I’m very excited for the future ahead. Your ideals consist of everything I’ve been thinking and concluding about in my head for years, and I always wondered if I was alone in the world. It doesn’t help when every single person I’ve ever talked to about traveling always shuts my ideas down, and now that I know about vagabonding and that many people do it then now there’s nothing stopping me.”