… a small press with a generous spirit intent on publishing stories of meaningful wilderness adventure
both near and far.
“Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
-IBN BATULLA,13TH CENTURY MORROCAN SCHOLAR
Grounded by Granite A Memoir
How does a shy, curly-haired little girl grow up to be a strong, independent woman who treks and volunteers on her own in the remote Nepal Himalaya at the age of 67?
Find out how in Grounded by Granite, a coming of age tale of family connection and resilience framed by summers on a remote island in the Canadian Shield.
Available from Amazon
Here’s what they’re saying about GROUNDED BY GRANITE.
The sense of place and family is spot on. She brings cottage life in the ‘50s to life and deftly handles generational change in the 2020s with compassion and humour.
Roy MacGregor– Author of The Great Escape
What a pleasure to share in off the grid cottage life adventures and the strength of family in a time that now feels just out of reach. The title says it all: a family as grounded and resilient as the Canadian Shield itself.
Bob Henderson – Author of Every Trail Has a story, Outdoor Educator
Grounded by Granite is a testament to the power of place to instil lasting connections to self, to others, and to nature. Through her stories and reflections, Patti reminds us what is truly important at a time when we are increasingly disconnected from ourselves, from others and from nature. I loved this book.
Sarah Wiley –Strategic Projects Manager, Outward Bound International
In her deeply felt and evocative memoir, Patti weaves together stories from the past and present, in ways suggestive of the associative quality of memory itself, and how we synthesize and integrate experience.
Sophie Forrester- MSW, RSW, Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
NEPAL ONE DAY AT A TIME
A Himalayan adventure travel memoir with a humanitarian twist
BY PATTI SHALES LEFKOS
Available for purchase from:
AmazonUS | AmazonCA | AmazonUK | AmazonAU
Nepal, One Day At A Time is popular with bookclubs! Patti offers free Zoom presentations to bookclubs, women’s groups, outdoor groups, colleges with outdoor and teacher training programs, armchair travellers and trekkers. To book some time with Patti, just use the contact form.
Available in bookstores soon.
Distributed by Red Toque Books
Read an independent review here
NEPAL ONE DAY AT A TIME is story of facing fears, taking risks and discovering the endless possibilities for meaningful connections and service in a developing country.
January 2014.
About to turn sixty-eight, Patti’s life was disintegrating. Leaving behind her injured husband she packs her bags and heads back to Nepal, this time on her own. Solo travel forces her to surmount daunting hurdles – both physical and emotional. Volunteering in remote Ratmate village presents unforeseen challenges and a visit to nearby Aprik offers a life-changing opportunity. While trekking in the rugged, roof of the world forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang she realizes her strength and determination when injured in an isolated cave monastery. Along the way, conversations with fascinating monks, teachers, and entrepreneurs provide insight into how best to serve the children of Nepal.
This is a story for both active and armchair travellers, particularly anyone who is afraid to travel alone, yet still longs to leap out of their comfort zone, immerse themselves in a new language and culture and truly make a difference in the lives of others.
PRAISE for NEPAL ONE DAY AT A TIME
“Both an inspirational travel memoir and a story of personal re-awakening, Nepal One Day At A Time speaks to all of us who at mid life are seeking to make a difference by seeking “the alternate path.”
As both an educator and “wilderness travel junkie” myself, I was immediately drawn into Patti Shales Lefkos’ finely crafted story of stepping out of her comfort zone and travelling, as a solo woman, to a remote part of the world to ‘realize her true self” while seeking a greater purpose. Faced with myriad reasons why not to go, Patti pushes the doubts aside and takes the leap. I found myself relating closely to Patti’s personal journey, to her fears, joys and her drive to discover the infinite possibilities within herself, within others and ultimately, within community.
Her compelling personal story captures the essence of what it means to truly live a life of full of intention and reminds us all that it is never too late to chart a new course towards a life of greater purpose.”
Sarah Wiley ~ Executive Director for Outward Bound Canada
“Women of all ages will love Patti’s engaging and inspirational story of facing her fears of lone adventure travel in the Himalaya, where she finds fulfillment as a volunteer and leaves the incredible legacy of a new school in a remote Gorkha village destroyed by the 2015 earthquake. A solid and satisfying pick for armchair travellers, book club discussion groups and those eager to step out of their comfort zones for rewarding excursions in developing countries.”
Bobbie Jo Reid ~ Managing Editor for INSPIRED Magazine
“Patti’s dedication as a citizen of the world and a Rotarian is a fine example of how Rotarians are People of Action. From her vision, she has connected individuals and organizations across the world to develop both bricks and mortar buildings and peace and understanding. She is an inspiration and represents the best of Rotary.”
Dr. Carmen Larsen ~ President for Kalamalka Rotary, 2019-2020. Vernon, British Columbia. District 5060.
Click to listen to Patti’s interview on Daybreak South with Chris Walker
“Her compelling personal story captures the essence of what it means to truly live a life full of intention and reminds us all that it is never too late to chart a new course towards a life of greater purpose.”
Caitlin Clow, Vernon Morning Star
“Nepal One Day at a Time tells the story of how the Vernon resident’s hiking trip ended up with her founding a not-for-profit organization, joining Kalamalka Rotary and raising over a hundred thousand dollars to build the school. More than this, Shales Lefkos said the book is about inspiration and what a person can achieve.
“The rewards are incredible if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone,” Shales Lefkos said.”
Ben Bulmer, iNfo News.ca
In “Nepal – One Day at a Time,” 70-something author Patti Shales Lefkos makes a personal journey with a transformative outcome – for herself and for the people of a quake-shattered Himalayan village. Confronting personal insecurities and self-doubt, physical fears, and relationship issues, Patti sets off solo to volunteer at a remote school and tackle a grueling hiking route. The resulting well-written narrative will interest a broad spectrum of readers – I’m guessing mostly women – including those tuned to the author’s internal quest and those simply seeking a good travel read. I enjoyed it very much.
Laurie Carter, former editor of Okanagan Life Magazine