4 colorful stars
I received a small sample of Catch Me if You Can, featuring 3 of the 100 countries Jessica Nabongo writes about. I love the bright colorful photos and backgrounds in the sample. As a just turned senior citizen, I feel like I need a refresher course on geography and this book would be a fun, interesting way to do that. A small insert shows where each country is located.

Nabongo is a gifted, highly educated Ugandan American who traveled to every country in the world. I admire that she basically forged her own brand. Photos of her wearing bold colors are artistically portrayed. I’d have to read more of the book to see if it ends up being more about Nabongo than about the countries she visits.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While I was only able to preview a sampler of Jessica Nabongo's book -- The Catch Me if You Can -- I do want to read more and will definitely get the book once it's published. Nabongo is the first Black woman on record to visit all 195 UN-recognized countries and since I'm a traveler at heart, her adventures intrigue me.

In reading the sampler, I only got a glimpse (really a cursory account) of her visits to these countries. Writers need to "show" not "tell." In the short sample that I read, Nabongo did more "telling" than "showing" so that as a reader, I kept wanting more out of her book. Despite this, I still plan to read the book once it's published, and Nabongo is to be greatly admired for making her travel dreams become a reality.

Thank you to #NetGalley and National Geographic for providing an electronic ARC sampler of #TheCatchMeifYouCan.

I love the premise, but I found that the author would set up a situation only to dodge away before allowing us to enter the scene in any emotional or sensory detail. It seems that despite cursory comments about a few disappointments, I didn't get a sense of what she felt about much of her life aside from the excitement of travel. This extended to her reason for deciding to become the first Black woman to visit every country in the world. This is a breezy account of the countries but if the writing was embodied, allowing us more insight into the author, it would have taken it to the next level. Perhaps this is merely an issue of a short excerpt. The photos are spectacular and a welcome addition to the text.

I may only have read the sampler, but the stories were wonderful. Traveling with someone as adept at travel as Nabongo, opened so many new places and experiences. Many may be familiar with her on social media. Not only is does it increase my wanting to travel, hearing her tell about her experiences as a black woman traveler brings more power to the story.

OMG!!! This book is everything. I hate that it's only a sample. The photos are breathtaking and I can't wait to travel a little bit. I will be following this author on social media so I can get more.

I'm gracious for the opportunity to peek inside this travel-vlog brought to "life."
Such a beautiful cover and vivid pictures inside, but this is nothing short of expected when Jessica Nabingo is at the helm.

Having followed her travels via social media, I am most definitely looking forward to this book. It gives insight and perspective into a black female's lens in the travel industry.

Although, industry isn't the appropriate word, because Jessica's travel embarkment is one of great accomplishment and aspiration. And honestly, all I've ever wanted to do was get off the North American continent to travel and Jessica shows me how it's done. She is truly a travel inspiration.

With thanks to NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading a sample of The Catch Me if You Can by Jessica Nabongo as an ARC.

I’m struggling to find a single statement strong and precise enough to express “fills me with wanderlust and envy and excitement and pride and interest and inspiration” but I think I’ll have to settle for the far less elegant “aaaahhhhhhh!!!! I love this book!” 😂

Honestly, reading even just the sample made me start imagining trips I want to take, jealousy over Nabongo’s lifestyle, and an innate pride in seeing an amazing woman travel solo and succeed the way she has.

I’m not so proud of my self for the jealousy bit - but I’m honest enough to admit it. And come on - she’s a highly educated and intelligent woman, owns multiple businesses, is *gorgeous* and has more style in every picture than I’ll demonstrate in a decade, and has accomplished so much travel in her lifetime.

Maybe jealous is the wrong sentiment - I’m in total awe of her. I want to be her, be her friend, heck just buy her a drink and share travel stories.

I’m so excited for the release of this book- June here we come!

The knocked off star is entirely down to my own personal preference - if I could have it exactly my way I’d have a little more information and history about the countries visited.

Can you imagine travelling to every country in the world?! Jessica Nabongo did just that. This travelogue is full of culture, inspirational stories and breathtaking photos! This book has left me with a serious desire to travel!

Thank you to @natgeo and Netgalley for this 20 page sampler in exchange for an honest review. I definitely need to read the whole book now!

The Catch Me if You Can (Sampler)
By Jessica Nabongo
Pub Date: June 14, 2022
National Geographic
Thanks to the author, National Geographic, and NetGalley for this sample widget ARC. The Catch Me if You Can by Jessica Nabongo has been on my radar. I was thrilled to be granted access to this sample widget and, having been teased in this way, I cannot wait to get my hands on the full book.

Jessica Nabongo is the first Black woman to travel to 195 countries, completing her epic journey in October of 2019. Her travelogue and stunning photographs are simply a joy to behold, particularly at a time when the future of travel is unknown.
4 stars

a very interesting lay out for a book!!! i've been loving travel stuff recently, i want to go across the whole world, and this sample gave me a taste of jessica's life and all the interesting countries she's been to

This would make a gorgeous coffee table book. The pictures are phenomenal. The writing was a little bit dry for me, but I admire the writer herself so much for going out and living an authentic and inspirational life.

If this is a preview, I am excited for the finished result!

I felt as if I was transported to these countries without leaving my home. Jessica does an amazing job at putting the place she is visiting in the spotlight while still being beautiful.

The photos are breathtaking and really capture the authenticity of the country. I appreciate Jessica being candid about the difficulties Americans may face when trying to enter certain countries. I’m beginning to travel more and this information is needed, especially for Black travelers.

I’m really excited for this release.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for allowing me to read this snippet for an honest review! I followed Jessica during her travels and I also quit my job to travel the world! It was very inspiring to see another woman of color doing what I wanted to do soooo I did it! Although, I don't claim to want to go to all 195 countries, I can't wait to read more about her travels and get more insight into some countries that I haven't been to and to see her opinions of some of my favorite countries! I have been to 54 so far and love seeing the world and its people! Can't wait for the full book to come out!

This looks like a really good book! I love the photography. The copy is clear and easy to follow. (Something I hugely appreciate as a devourer of nonfiction.) At its estimated retail price, I will probably request this book from my library rather than purchase it outright.

This is going to be a great book when it is published. For those that have to be armchair travelers I hope that the snippets are enough for them, for those that are reading for the woman empowerment I hope the snippets are enough for them. With such a short intro to the book I couldn't get a good feel but I look forward to reading the rest.

I was only able to read a sneak peek of this book and I absolutely loved it!!! I fell in love with travel memoirs during the start of the pandemic and that love just keeps growing. I will be honest, I have not heard of the author before prior to reading this sample. After reading, now I must know more!! I researched the author and am very fascinated by their story. The snippets of the book I was able to read felt very real in the fact that I could connect with the author. I understood the need to enrich yourself and do more. While I am from a different background from the author, I was able to still take so much away. The book itself is gorgeous. The photos are breathtaking and fit well into the story the author is telling. I am in love with the font and overall artistic style of the book. It is very refreshing and different from most authors. I am definitely purchasing a copy when this book comes out.

What a WOW! Can't wait to buy this one. The writing is excellent and really pulls you in. And the pictures are stellar. This gem takes you on a trip around the world with photographs and stories of personal experiences that just make you want to go. We've all been inside for so long and this book invites us to go along for the ride and TRAVEL!

I only received a sampler of this book, but am excited to read the rest when it comes out! The pictures were absolutely gorgeous and the stories really sparked some wanderlust. Makes me want to follow in Jessica's footsteps and just start traveling and figuring things out on the go. I definitely have some new travel goals after reading this!

100% will be picking this book up as soon as it comes out. It is fascinating. Good story, great pictures, I can't wait to travel more with Jessica.

Like many others, I was given a sampler to review ahead of the book's completion. This is a really intriguing look at Nabongo's journeys, from a POV and perspective not common among other travel writers who I have read. Her perspective/Ugandan roots shape her stories in a different worldview, which I very much appreciated especially when she visited place I have also been to. Nabongo was new to me as I don't follow her blog, but will be doing so. An excellent read and can't wait for the whole book