Literature Adventure
L
i
t
·
A
d
v
e
n
t
u
r
e
Book Club Community
C
l
u
b
·
C
o
m
m
u
n
i
t
y
"Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted ...but to weigh and consider."
-Sir Francis Bacon
Lake MacDonald - Glacier National Park

About Us

Novel Passages is based out of Whitefish, Montana, an outdoor adventure-land nestled among lakes and streams, surrounded by prominent mountain ranges, and in close proximity to Whitefish Mountain Resort and Glacier National Park, the "crown of the continent".

It was in the geographic context of Whitefish that Cindy Weaver, an avid enthusiast for both reading and outdoor adventure, created Novel Passages. Her prior participation in the Vancouver BC Cruise-a-Thon, along with valuable guidance and encouragement from Main Connection Travel, crystallized her vision for the adventurous possibilities of luxury voyages.

When she learned of an exciting new company, Stowaway Books, which scours the world for the best novels of place and awards the Destination Fiction Prize, she embraced the opportunity to bring fiction and travel-adventure together.

Cindy says, "Novel Passages puts readers into the world of their books, literally. There’s nothing like reading the description of a character climbing a glacier as you look up and see a wall of blue ice, and feel the cold wind on your face."

Questions for Cindy ...

Who comes on a Novel Passages
Lit-Adventure?

With a Novel Passages cruise, you not only get that amazing experience, but you get to share it with like-minded folks. Some people like to bring their whole book club as an extra bonding experience. Others like to go solo, or with one friend, for a chance to meet other booklovers and discuss literature with new folks.

Why a luxury cruise line?

A line like Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a very unique feel in comparison to other cruise lines. When booklovers cruise, they tend to shun the razzle-dazzle, herd mentality of the mainstream cruise lines. A line like Regent, while providing all the extra entertainment and spas and so forth, has a much more elegant, thoughtful, independent vibe that’s just more conducive to the kind of adventure Novel Passages provides. There’s more flexibility for individual taste, intimate groups, and the unexpected magic that sometimes occurs when like-minded folks have a space in which they can express themselves.

And then there’s the practical side, with luxury lines like Regent all my guests get suites and balconies, their drinks are included in the base price, lots of little extras are just daily fare, and the return air ticket is included. All this adds up to a greater value for the experience.

Why Alaska?

Two reasons: One, I fell in love with Destination Fiction Prize winning novels. And two, I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska, and I frequently hear friends express the same desire.

Alaska is so close by, and yet it has this mystique and grandeur. This is true in its literature too. Also, I’d met the author I’m bringing onboard and knew she’d be wonderful with book clubs. She’s from Alaska, and has such a rich reservoir of stories and information that you don’t often find in guidebooks and traditional lectures.

I’m looking at adding a Mexico Novel Passages Lit-Adventure in 2009, for much the same reasons.

Is there anyone who should not go on a Novel Passages Lit-Adventure?

I would say readers who don’t enjoy the communal aspect of literature, who don’t enjoy sharing the world they create when they read a book, or folks who simply want to be entertained and not participate in their adventure. We provide a participatory experience, not one in which you simply listen and watch.

Why does Novel Passages encourage a donation to a related destination charity?

Both readers and travelers long to support the indigenous cultures into which they venture. We look for charities that support literacy, especially in the places we explore. I like to ask our guest author to recommend a charity so that we get as close as possible to benefiting the people about which we read, or folks for which the authors have a special heart. For example, the guest author of the upcoming Alaska Lit-Adventure has recommended that the University of Alaska Foundation Story Scholarship be the suggested recipient of charitable outreach from Destination Alaska cruise guests, which you can learn more about by clicking on the following link: Destination Alaska > Reach Out.