($14.95, Three Rivers Press)
“Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World” is what “Eat, Pray, Love” should have been a fascinating tale about the travels of an interesting, generous woman who discovers her inner strengths and talents without benefit of a sizable book advance or romance. Author Rita Golden Gelman is a children’s book author who sold everything more than 20 years ago and has since lived as austerely as one can — relying on the kindness of locals and returning the favor by pitching in any way she’s able — in remote areas of Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand and the Galápagos. She has family in Fort Collins (read about it on her blog, ) and visits there for holidays, but otherwise continues to wander the globe, living on about $12,000 a year. Kyle Wagner
