Carol McIlwain, PhD’s ‘Managing the Bucket List’ Appears in the ‘New York Times Book Review’
Oct 13, 2026
Carol McIlwain, PhD’s travel memoir, ‘Managing the Bucket List: The Journey Begins, Volume I,’ appeared in the August 9, 2026, issue of the ‘New York Times Book Review,’ the weekly book-review section of the ‘New York Times.’
Canada, October 13, 2026 -- The title appeared on page four in a showcase featuring seven other independently published works spanning fantasy, literary fiction, nonfiction, and children’s literature.
Founded in 1896, the New York Times Book Review publishes book reviews, literary criticism, essays, and features, and has played a longstanding role in American literary culture. The appearance placed Managing the Bucket List alongside other independently published works in the section.
In the showcase, the book was described as “award-winning writing for inspiring journeys that broaden global perspectives.” At 544 pages, the book is divided into two parts. The first part serves as a travel reference guide, describing wonders of the world, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums, castles, and places of worship around the world while also tracing the origins of the term “bucket list.” The second chronicles what McIlwain calls her “Travel Big Year,” an extended period of international travel around her 2023 retirement. She traveled through destinations including Portugal, Patagonia, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, and Alaska, as well as other countries across Europe, South America, and beyond, visiting fifty UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Throughout the book, McIlwain frames travel as a form of continuing education, describing her aim to become an “intellectual traveler” who studies the history and culture behind each destination, while encouraging readers to “plan for spontaneity” in their own journeys. Reviewing the book for Independent Book Review, critic Erin Britton called it “an inspiring reminder that the greatest journeys are not measured in miles traveled but in knowledge gained.” The book has also received a Literary Titan Gold Book Award, and McIlwain has since published a second volume in the series.
Carol McIlwain, PhD, is a retired Senior Executive of the United States Navy with thirty-nine years of service. During her career, she deployed as senior advisor for acquisition and logistics to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. She also supported Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn in Iraq.
Readers can browse the August 9, 2026, issue of the New York Times Book Review on the New York Times news app. Managing the Bucket List: The Journey Begins Volume I is available through Amazon and other major online bookstores.
About Explora Books
Explora Books is a book marketing firm located in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company specializes in self-publishing and marketing, taking pride in its exhaustive research and creative strategies that provide wider avenues for aspiring authors to gain recognition for their works. Explora Books aims to guide authors through the complexities of self-publishing, offering convenient solutions to navigate this process. The firm fosters and redefines creativity and innovation, setting new industry standards. Explora Books is dedicated to empowering authors globally.
Contact Info:
Name: Zia Miller
Email: Send Email
Organization: Explora Books Ltd.
Address: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Phone: (604) 330 6795
Website: https://explorabooks.com/
Release ID: 89205847
In case of identifying any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release that necessitate action or if you require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions diligently to rectify any identified issues or supporting you with the removal process. Delivering accurate and reliable information remains our top priority.
More News
Thousands of bottles of acetaminophen sold on Amazon recalled
Consumers reported finding discolored tablets, according to the recall notices.
Kroger laying off 3,000 corporate employees over 3 years amid increased AI use
Grocery store chain Kroger said it will lay off 3,000 corporate employees over the next three years as it ramps up its use of artificial intelligence to streamline operations.
Kroger laying off 3,000 corporate employees over 3 years amid increased AI use
Grocery store chain Kroger said it will lay off 3,000 corporate employees over the next three years as it ramps up its use of artificial intelligence to streamline operations.
Thousands of bottles of acetaminophen sold on Amazon recalled
Consumers reported finding discolored tablets, according to the recall notices.
Schumer: Republicans heading into midterms with 'enormous’ financial advantage
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned his Democratic colleagues that Senate Republican candidates have an “enormous” financial advantage heading into the final three weeks before Election Day and could drown Democrats’ chances of winning the Senate in a “tsunami” of last-minute spending. Schumer warned in a “Dear Colleague” letter circulated Tuesday that the “battle...
El-Sayed labels AI 'existential threat’
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D) labeled AI an “existential threat” Tuesday, as he laid out a framework that aims to get the technology “under control.” El-Sayed, who is locked in a tight race with former Rep. Mike Rogers (R), called for a pause on frontier AI development and a ban on artificial superintelligence. “Right...
Is this the best time for US strategists to push for abandoning ambiguity on Taiwan?
For nearly five decades, the United States’ Taiwan policy has centred on strategic ambiguity by not declaring whether it would intervene militarily in a potential Taiwan conflict. This policy – designed to deter Beijing from using force while preventing Taipei from formally declaring independence – is being challenged by realist US strategists amid a broader debate over America’s role in the world, growing constraints on US military might and a shifting regional balance of power driven by...
Six Flags Magic Mountain shuts down second coaster amid safety concerns, rider death in Georgia
The closure comes after the park shut down X2, which had been the source of several lawsuits after riders complained of injuries.
US Army receives 1st Hanwha-made mobile howitzer system: report
The U.S. Army has received its first South Korean-made mobile howitzer system as part of efforts to replace its aging artillery systems, a U.S. defense news outlet reported Monday. The Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC), manufactured by Hanwha Defense USA, a U.S. subsidiary of South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace Co., was displayed at a U.S. Army event held in Washington earlier this month, Defense News reported, citing U.S. Army officials. "We're excited to have that and get ready to test it," Brig. Gen. Robert Mikesh Jr., the Army's portfolio management executive for offensive fires, was quoted as saying. "And get that soldier feedback, that we think is so important." In August, Hanwha Defense USA was selected to provide prototypes based on a wheeled variant of the bestselling K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery for the MTC program, which aims to develop a highly mobile 155 mm artillery system to replace the Army's aging M777 towed howitzers. The contract calls for the delivery of six MTC prototypes, with an option for an additional 12 systems, and has a cumulative value of up to $262.9 million, a
Adding 'jeong' to technology
This year, the combined operating profits of Korea’s semiconductor companies are expected to soar well beyond 500 trillion won ($373 billion), reaching unprecedented levels. Some have likened this extraordinary performance to winning a lottery. But I see it differently. What we are witnessing today, I believe, is not a stroke of good fortune. Rather, it is the culmination of decades of perseverance, sacrifice and dedication. As Koreans know well, countless companies, engineers and technicians have worked since the 1970s to build the foundations of the nation’s semiconductor industry. After nearly half a century of accumulated effort, the seeds they planted are finally coming to fruition. A similar story of long-term commitment can be found in the rapid growth of international students choosing to study in Korea. In 2023, the Ministry of Education launched the Study Korea 300K Project, setting a goal of attracting 300,000 international students by 2027. That target has already been achieved ahead of schedule, with the number of international students in Korea surpassing 300,000 this
Delivery fee cap risks shifting costs to riders, consumers
Pending bills at the National Assembly proposing a cap on delivery platform fees charged to food businesses to reduce their financial burdens, particularly small businesses with limited customer bases, are raising questions about the effectiveness of the proposed changes. Industry experts have examined the current ecosystem, which consists of food-ordering platforms, participating businesses, customers who place orders and riders who deliver them. They found that the cap could reduce the burden on businesses using the platforms but shift that cost to other groups in the ecosystem, such as riders and consumers. Three bills proposing different versions of the cap are pending at the National Assembly. One was proposed by Rep. Lee Kang-ill of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, a member of the National Policy Committee. He proposed capping the combined brokerage fee, payment processing fee and advertising expenses at 15 percent of an order's value, while imposing a separate cap and a minimum floor on delivery fees. Rep. Park Jeong-hun of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) propo
N. Korea reports test-firing of 'tactical' ballistic missile to improve weapons systems
North Korea has test-fired a tactical ballistic missile to upgrade a key component of its weapons systems, which it called a "big success," the country's state media reported Tuesday. The report came a day after South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected multiple ballistic missiles launched from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea. North Korea's missile administration "test-fired a tactical ballistic missile on Oct. 12 to confirm the success in the research for the technical upgrading of an important core element," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The administration claimed that the upgrade "was a big success heralding an important change in improving the performance and sophistication of all offensive weapon systems," it added, describing the test as part of regular activities. The North did not disclose further details about the test-firing. The JCS earlier noted that North Korea launched multiple types of ballistic missiles, with one specific kind of missile flying more than 900 kilometers, and that South Korean and U.S. authorities were conducting a detailed
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.