Welcome to GoNowWander
Get inspired, plan smarter, and shape the journeys you’ve been dreaming of.
Hi there!
I’m so glad you’re here!
I’m Jojo– a lover of cultural adventures, ancient temples, vibrant street markets, and, of course, travel! I spent a few incredible years in China studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, and during that time, I explored the country from north to south, discovering its hidden gems and unforgettable landscapes.
Travel has always been my lifelong passion, whether it’s wandering through the serene mountains of China, exploring bustling cities in Europe, or uncovering quiet beaches in Southeast Asia. Every journey teaches me something new — about the world, about people, and about myself.
On Go Now Wander, I want to help you travel smarter and more meaningfully. My blog is full of detailed travel guides, tips, and ready-to-use itineraries that make planning your dream trip simple, whether you have a week to spare or just a long weekend.
From exploring the ancient streets of Beijing to hiking the scenic trails of Patagonia, to wandering hidden towns in Italy, I share my experiences so you can have authentic adventures without the stress of figuring it all out alone. I go first, so you know exactly how to go too!
Travel isn’t just about checking destinations off a list — it’s about seeing the world with curiosity, connecting with people from different cultures, and growing through new experiences. And that’s exactly what I hope to help you do.
Let’s plan your next adventure together!
Most Popular Reading
Humor, Chaos & Survival Fantasy: Absurd, Darkly Funny Adventures
Imagine being dropped into a dungeon that doesn’t care about your feelings, where every monster encounter is equal parts terrifying and hilarious.
These stories are absurd, relentless, and impossible to put down—they mix chaos with clever survival, and humor with genuinely high stakes.
📚 Featured Books
1. Dungeon Crawler Carl Series — Matt Dinniman
Carl’s adventures are chaotic, absurd, and darkly funny. I laughed at the ridiculous situations, winced at the brutal survival challenges, and marveled at Dinniman’s ability to blend high-stakes action with witty commentary. It’s a rollercoaster of absurdity, and I couldn’t stop reading because every chapter had a new twist I didn’t see coming.
For: Fans of dark humor, survival fantasy, and game-like storytelling with heart.
2. The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook — Matt Dinniman
This continuation of Carl’s story ups the absurdity while keeping the survival tension razor-sharp. I loved how the world feels like a living, chaotic puzzle, with rules that punish but also delight. Every clever tactic and outrageous plan made me grin while my pulse raced.
For: Anyone who loves unpredictable fantasy, clever chaos, and characters that endure against all odds.
I carry these books like a pocket-sized grenade of laughter and dread.
The absurdity sticks, the tension lingers, and I keep smiling (and occasionally wincing) at the ingenious chaos. These stories remind me that survival can be hilarious, danger can be absurd, and the best fantasy sometimes punches you in the gut while making you laugh out loud.
Whimsical & Dreamlike Fantasy: Wander Through Surreal, Emotional Worlds
Imagine walking through a foggy carnival, a library that stretches into infinity, or a forest alive with whispering magic.
These are stories where plot takes a backseat to wonder, and every page feels like a dream you don’t want to wake from. Reading them is an emotional journey as much as a narrative one.
📚 Featured Books
1. The Night Circus — Erin Morgenstern
Morgenstern’s circus is a living, breathing entity. I got lost in its black-and-white tents, in the slow-burn rivalry and delicate romance. Every detail—from the floating lanterns to the subtle magic—felt like slipping into a vivid dream I didn’t want to leave.
For: Anyone who wants to wander through a story as immersive and enchanting as a waking dream.
2. The Starless Sea — Erin Morgenstern
This book is a labyrinth of stories within stories. I loved tracing the narrative threads like secret passageways, feeling both lost and delighted. The mood, the hidden libraries, and the tactile imagery stayed with me long after reading.
For: Readers craving a fantasy that privileges emotion, mood, and mystery over straightforward plot.
3. An Enchantment of Ravens — Margaret Rogerson
Rogerson’s world feels like a dream made tangible. The artful prose and slow-building tension made me pause and savor every page. I was drawn into the fae realm, feeling both wonder and the subtle peril that comes with enchanting creatures.
For: Fans of lyrical fantasy where beauty and danger intermingle seamlessly.
4. Uprooted — Naomi Novik
Novik’s forest is alive in a way that felt almost sentient. The slow unfolding of magic and relationships made me savor the journey. I felt the textures, smells, and whispers of the woods, like moving through a living, breathing dreamscape.
For: Readers who want emotional resonance woven into magical adventure.
5. Water Moon — Samantha Sotto Yambao
A delicate, meditative story where magic subtly threads through everyday life. I felt carried by the rhythm of the narrative, the dreamlike quality of the characters’ experiences, and the intimacy of their reflections.
For: Anyone seeking soft, immersive fantasy that lingers in the imagination.
I close these books as one might step out of a dream at dawn.
Their worlds linger, half-remembered yet vivid, and I find pieces of their magic threaded through my own day. These are not stories you finish—they follow you like echoes, inviting you to wander back whenever you need wonder, mystery, or the gentle pull of a dream.
Urban / Modern Fantasy with Teeth: Magic, Rebellion, and Contemporary Worlds
The city hums with hidden currents—streets buzzing with mundane life, while unseen powers twist reality just beneath the surface.
These are stories where magic is not polite, the authorities are ruthless, and every choice carries danger. I devoured them in long stretches, unable to stop until the threads of intrigue and rebellion were fully unraveled.
📚 Featured Books
1. The Bone Season Series — Samantha Shannon
I was immediately hooked by Paige Mahoney’s double life: a clairvoyant navigating a modern world while resisting an oppressive regime. The blend of dystopian tension, magic systems, and layered conspiracies kept me flipping pages late into the night. I admired Shannon’s intricate plotting and the moral ambiguities that make each character feel painfully real.
For: Anyone who loves dark, modern fantasy with high stakes and clever magic.
2. Oathbound — Tracy Deonn
Oathbound immerses me in a world where contemporary life intersects with ancient powers. I was drawn to the tension between institutions and rebels, and the way magic seeps into everyday experiences. Reading it felt like walking a tightrope over a city filled with secrets—exhilarating, unpredictable, and morally complex.
For: Readers who crave contemporary urban fantasy with teeth, where danger and intrigue lurk at every corner.
I carry these worlds with me long after the page ends.
The hum of the city feels charged with magic, the streets a little more dangerous, and every shadow a story waiting to unfold. These series are relentless, thrilling, and impossible to forget—the kind of fantasy that claws its way under your skin and stays.
Epic Worldbuilding Classics: Dive Into Vast and Immersive Fantasy Worlds
I step into these worlds like a traveler entering a vast, uncharted land.
The cities, histories, and cultures feel lived-in and real. These are stories that demand time, patience, and attention—but reward the reader with depth, awe, and an unforgettable sense of scale.
📚 Featured Books
1. The Name of the Wind — Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe’s story unfolds slowly, but every detail is a treasure. I loved how Rothfuss blends music, magic, and personal tragedy into a narrative that feels both intimate and epic. Reading it is like tracing the veins of an entire world—full of texture, emotion, and wonder.
For: Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a fully realized, unforgettable fantasy world.
2. The Priory of the Orange Tree — Samantha Shannon
A sprawling tale of dragons, politics, and powerful women. I was drawn into the meticulously crafted world, from lush cities to dangerous mountains. The multiple viewpoints give richness and scope, and the epic climax left me breathless.
For: Readers craving fully fleshed-out worlds with high stakes and deep character arcs.
3. A Day of Fallen Night — Samantha Shannon
The prequel to Shannon’s world, this novel is slow but mesmerizing. I loved how every culture, every spell, every choice feels consequential. Reading it felt like exploring a continent I could wander in for months, discovering its magic and history piece by piece.
For: Fans of slow-burn epic fantasy with intricate worldbuilding.
4. The Witcher Series — Andrzej Sapkowski
Geralt’s adventures combine folklore, morality, and a deeply lived-in world. I was captivated by the blend of episodic quests and overarching plots, the moral grayness of the characters, and the rich cultural tapestry. The universe feels endless, and returning to it is like meeting an old friend who’s also full of surprises.
For: Anyone who loves epic storytelling, rich myth, and a fully immersive fantasy universe.
I linger in these worlds like a wanderer who doesn’t want to leave.
Every city, every legend, every whispered spell has a life of its own. These stories are slow to reveal themselves, but once they do, they settle into your mind and stay there, like constellations in a night sky that you return to again and again.