By Coral Gables Gazette staff
Books & Books in Coral Gables will host an evening of travel storytelling, humor, and global exploration on Tuesday, Jan. 27, when award-winning journalist Jane Wooldridge discusses her new book, Comfort in the Wild, in conversation with bestselling author and columnist Dave Barry.
The event begins at 7 p.m. at the bookstore’s Aragon Avenue location and includes a moderated discussion followed by a book signing. Tickets are required, with each ticket including admission and one copy of Wooldridge’s book. Guest tickets are also available for an additional fee.
The evening brings together two of South Florida’s most recognizable literary voices for a conversation that blends adventure, insight, and wit.
Redefining adventure travel with comfort in mind
In Comfort in the Wild, Wooldridge tackles a modern traveler’s dilemma: how to experience pristine natural destinations without sacrificing the comforts that make travel restorative and enjoyable.
The book features more than 100 destinations across the globe, ranging from deep jungles and arctic landscapes to deserts, remote islands, and pastoral farmlands. Alongside Wooldridge’s storytelling and practical insights, the book includes vivid photography showcasing both dramatic environments and the design-forward resorts, lodges, ships, and glamping communities that allow travelers to experience the natural world in comfort.
From African savannah wildlife and monks in Bhutan to polar bears in Svalbard and sweeping desert vistas in Egypt and Jordan, the book blends visual inspiration with thoughtful travel guidance.
The result is both a dreamlike coffee-table book and a practical resource for travelers seeking enriching experiences in extraordinary places.
A journalist whose career spans the globe
Wooldridge’s career in travel journalism has taken her to more than 100 countries across seven continents. She has been recognized with numerous national awards, including being named Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year.
A former travel editor at The Miami Herald, Wooldridge also served in a range of editorial and executive roles at the newspaper and was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team. She later became a digital pioneer in multimedia travel journalism, helping shape how travel stories are told in the modern media landscape.
In addition to Comfort in the Wild, Wooldridge is the co-author of The 100 Best Affordable Vacations to Enrich Your Life and continues to write for national publications, focusing on cruising, soft adventure, and upscale travel experiences.
She is also a frequent public speaker and moderator at travel, arts, and civic events.
A conversation guided by a master storyteller
Moderating the evening will be Dave Barry, one of America’s most widely read humorists and a longtime local resident.
Barry is the author of numerous bestselling books, including Swamp Story, Lessons from Lucy, and Dave Barry’s Complete Guide to Guys. Best known for his syndicated newspaper column, he won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1988.
His signature wit and observational humor promise to bring levity and lively exchange to the discussion, complementing Wooldridge’s storytelling and global perspective.
Event details
An evening with Jane Wooldridge in conversation with Dave Barry
Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 7 p.m.
Books & Books Coral Gables
265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables
Tickets: Required. Each ticket includes admission and one copy of Comfort in the Wild. Guest tickets available for an additional fee.
A book signing will follow the discussion.
