The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World.

From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. Friends Pressner, Baggett, and Corbett were all busy climbing the corporate ladder of Manhattan media when they realized that, in their late twenties, they weren't sure they wanted the golden handcuffs of New York success. Reprioritizing, they decide on a rebellious, extreme course of action: quit their jobs, abandon their boyfriends, and take a year-long trip around the world. In this group memoir, the three take turns chronicling a journey from Peru to Kenya to Vietnam to Australia, and everywhere in between. Though they don't always get along, the three learn to rely on each other, keep their minds open and throw themselves enthusiastically after every adventure that comes their way. The three authors, all gifted writers (each has worked as a journalist), provide passionate, vivid descriptions of their far-flung travels, bolstered by thoughtful insights and genuine intentions, making this an intensely enjoyable read for fans of travel writing; their semi-improvisatory experience provides a broader look at travel than either a luxury tour or a backpacking trip would, proving especially resonant. This memoir should also be immediately relatable for any twenty-something unsure of his or her future (i.e., most of them). From Booklist After a thrilling trip to South America, Jen, Holly, and Amanda, three Manhattanites in their mid-twenties, decide to climb off the career ladder for a year to travel the world. Inspired by The Flame Trees of Thika, Jen has always longed to see Kenya, while Holly wants to study yoga in an ashram in India. Amanda has dreams of pursuing a career as a freelance travel writer, but when she takes time out from their adventures to work on articles, it grates on the nerves of Jen, who is hoping to truly immerse herself in their surroundings. Though the three encounter snafus on the way—Holly initially finds the rigors of the ashram disheartening, the girls find themselves trapped in a car with a frightening taxi driver in Vietnam—there are many rewards on the journey, most notably when the three friends organize a group of Kenyan girls to perform a play about an influential Kenyan woman. For those with similar wanderlust, Jen, Holly and Amanda’s lively accounts make for the ideal armchair journey. --Kristine Huntley “...[W]hen it comes to travel (and most other things), a goal is a dream with a deadline, but the Lost Girls have gone one step further….The best travel adventures, the most memorable experiences happen when things don’t go according to plan. That’s why I love this book.” (Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS News )“A triumphant journey about losing yourself, finding yourself and coming home again. Hitch yourself to their ride: you’ll embark on a transformative journey of your own.” (Allison Winn Scotch, New York Times bestselling author of The One That I Want and Time of My Life )“The Lost Girls captures the generational struggle so many twentysomethings face as they try to find their way with no clear map. I ... found myself cheering as they discovered more than they could have bargained for.” (Laura Dave, author of The Divorce Party )“[P]otentially serious side effects [include] chronic wanderlust; severe allergic reactions to the daily grind; and an incurable desire to toss that Blackberry down a drain….Three cheers to the Lost Girls for showing us, with good humor and graceful prose, the beauty and importance of leading life astray.” (Franz Wisner, New York Times Bestselling author of Honeymoon with My Brother )“...Jen, Holly and Amanda’s lively accounts make for the ideal armchair journey.” (Booklist )“For anyone-young or old, female or male-who has ever been tempted to trade in the rat race for the thrill and adventure of long-term global travel. And after reading this book, don’t be surprised if you want to do just that.” (David Farley, author of An Irreverent Curiosity )“Brave, funny, and deeply moving, THE LOST GIRLS is a real-life fairy tale for anyone who’s ever wanted to chuck it all and see the world with a best friend on each arm.” (Cathy Alter, author of Up for Renewal: What Magazines Taught Me About Love, Sex, and Starting Over )“…the real appeal of the story is the long road they take together, each supporting the others on a soul-searching quest to create a life that matters.” (BookPage )“Jennifer, Holly and Amanda have had the adventure of their lives.” (Los Angeles Times )“The three authors, all gifted writers...provide passionate, vivid descriptions of their far-flung travels, bolstered by thoughtful insights and genuine intentions, making this an intensely enjoyable read for fans of travel writing....immediately relatable for any twenty-something unsure of his or her future (i.e., most of them).” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ) Jennifer Baggett serves as a project manager at the Food Network and is collaborating with Holly and Amanda on a second book. After holding editorial positions at Self and Woman's Day. Holly C. Corbett now works as a freelance writer and college professor. Amanda Pressner is a travel and lifestyle journalist who has contributed to such publications as USA Today and Cosmopolitan and Shape magazines. Read more