Journey through words to worlds beyond borders | Elena Pertegaz | TEDxSAIS Youth

Travel & Culture Through Literature - The speaker shares her personal journey of reading and how it has allowed her to travel across borders, cultures, and time [1] - Reading was a passion since childhood, influenced by her grandfather's typewriter [2][3][4] - The speaker highlights the "Choose Your Own Adventure" book series and its impact on her [5] - Despite studying law, her love for reading and literature persisted [6] - The speaker shares novels that allowed her to travel to different areas, perspectives, and cultures from home [7] Book Recommendations & Cultural Insights - Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel transports readers to Mexico through a family love drama where food plays an important role [8][9] - Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores identity, love, and conflict in Nigeria against the backdrop of Biafra's independence [10][11] - The Sleepy Voice by Dulce Chacón delves into the tragic events of the Spanish Civil War through testimonies of women imprisoned for their political ideas [11][12] - Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky offers insights into the human mind and the consequences of one's actions in Russia [13][14] - Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim tells the story of a young Korean girl forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II [15] - A Yellow House explores the challenges faced by domestic helpers in Singapore [16][17] Concluding Thoughts - Books are vehicles for empathy and understanding, offering experiences beyond our reach [18][19]