Peregrine Cumulus: A Literary Travel Album

by Isla Jane Noriega

Travel, an endeavor that’s making a splash after a years-long hiatus so rude and abrupt. But maybe the waiting isn’t in vain for those who newly earned their place in the adult world and haven’t figured out what they want yet from life.

In this collection of poetry and prose, Isla Jane Noriega explores the thoughts and feelings of 20-something girls as they recount their trips across the Philippines and beyond, together with travel shots in the spirit of “taking nothing but pictures, leaving nothing but footprints, and killing nothing but time.”

93 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2024

About the author

Isla Jane Noriega (EYE-lah NOR-ee-EH-guh, nor-YAY-guh) is a two-time writing workshop fellow (so far), National Book Development Board-registered author, and creative writer-in-progress based in Cebu, Philippines. For the curious, learn more about her here.

She wrote Peregrine Cumulus: A Literary Travel Album (2024) and has a forthcoming self-published book in 2026.

Reviews

[Joline Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peregrine Cumulus: A Literary Travel Album by Isla Jane Noriega was such a refreshing and unique read! It’s not just a book—it’s an experience. With its mix of pictures, poems, essays, and memories, it felt like I was flipping through someone’s personal travel journal while also reliving some of my own adventures.

What really struck me was how emotional this book made me feel. I was taken back to the memory of my first-ever trip—the excitement, the nerves, and that feeling of discovering a whole new part of myself in a new place. I thought about my solo trip, where I found healing and learned so much about who I am. And then, the carefree days of traveling, when I’d just think, “Money will come back, but these moments? They’re happening right now, and I have to savor them.”

This book didn’t just give me a glimpse into Isla's journeys; it made me appreciate my own travels more. I started reflecting on how I used to get excited every time the plane took off or landed, and how, after so many trips, I’d lost that sense of wonder. Peregrine Cumulus brought me back to those early days—the thrill, the joy, the soul-leaping feeling of being in the air for the first time. It was a reminder that not everyone gets to travel, and I should cherish every moment.

This was such a good, heartfelt read, and I’ll admit, it almost brought a tear to my eye. Isla Jane Noriega, I’m rooting for more of your adventures, more of your words, and more of your beautiful photos. I can't wait for your next literary travel album!

[Patrick Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first time reader of a literary travel album, I felt like I was having a great travel the whole hours of reading. Isla used vivid and stronger imagery and symbolism throughout the book. I felt like I was talking to a best friend about his/her travel experience across some of the islands in the Philippines and overseas. It also features some of the beautiful spots in the Philippines that amazingly written by Isla. Overall, I enjoyed my quick reading session with this one of a kind masterpiece by Isla. Congratulations!

[Liana Smith Bautista | Libervore Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Peregrine Cumulus: A Literary Travel Album, author Isla Jane Noriega takes us on a ramble through different spots around the country by way of poems and narratives. She painted snapshots of the places she visited with her words and imagery, and recounted personal moments in a way that made me feel like I was reading her diary at some points.

[Bana AZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

But if there's anything the pandemic has taught me in isolation, it's that a breath taken in a different kind of air, a new space, has more merit than I give it credit.

This is a collection of poetry and prose that the author made using her travels in the Philippines and Hong Kong as inspiration. It also has pictures.

My thoughts:
I really liked this but I wanted more! But as this is a chapbook, it's meant to be short.

This felt like a breath of fresh air, being brought along with the author in different places with her different musings. Some were relatable, and some I haven't thought of before. I had fun learning that the word "travel" came from the word "torment".

Other quotes I like:
"I shook my head, not needing more basis for the superstitious ancestors on my mother's side to pray for my long life. This life is simply too long, thank you very much."

"There's no room for error when you're the eldest daughter."

"How long do familial tales have to exist for them to be considered pure lore?"