The story behind Open Book

Some of the best travel advice sounds less like a guidebook and more like a text from a friend.

Go here. Order this. Skip that. Here’s what I wish I knew before I landed.

Open Book is a home for those honest little details. It’s where women share the places they’d actually recommend to a friend, along with the context that makes a recommendation useful. The lovely surprises, the practical tips, the things that didn’t live up to the hype, and the moments that helped them feel more at ease.

Hi, I’m Shadawn Hammons. I’ve traveled to 19 countries, and the recommendations I’ve trusted most have often come from another woman telling me what her trip was really like.

I started Open Book because I wanted those conversations to be easier to find and easier to share. Not just a list of places, but the story behind why someone loved a spot, what she’d do differently, and what she’d tell you if you were planning your own trip.

Whether you’re looking for your next place to go or have a story of your own to share, there’s room for you here.