I wasn’t going to do any book reviews while I was away but with an hour or more on a bus to kill between stops and having just finished an inspirational book (well for me anyway) I figured I should.

The book is Twitchhiker by Paul Smith. The book is pretty much about a guy who travelled from the UK to New Zealand using nothing but the power of Twitter. This is probably about the point you will yawn, think to yourself “boring” and move on, but hear me out.

Twitter for those that don’t know is a social media platform that allows you to send short messages (140 characters, roughly an sms) to the web and people can follow along, comment or just read if they so desire. When it first came out it was always described as “self indulgent losers talking about themselves and their everyday boring lives). I don’t see it that way and I am sure millions of others don’t either.

I won’t go into depth on my thoughts on twitter but what I will mention is that this book reiterates what I do generally think of Twitter. People brought together with a common bond, show a level of generosity and kindness that is never talked about. I have had some amazing experiences and met some people who I never thought I could before. Without twitter life would not be as fun as it is, in my opinion.

To be honest, I was given this book by Air New Zealand so I am putting this out there early. I am not getting paid for this review in any way nor am I required to write one. I am doing this because I believe in the same thing those who gave their time and money to help the @Twitchhiker out on his journey.

The book follows paul on his journey from Newcastle in the UK to his intended destination, Campbell Island off New Zealand. Clearly not an easy task but you kinda expect this when someone sets what is likely an impossible task, but the twitter users the world over came to his need. People donate flights to cross oceans, time, money and more just to help him out, but also donated money to Charity: water.

I absolutely loved this book and to anyone who likes to travel, this is a great light hearted read and to anyone who likes or is into social media, this is a must read.