“Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds and other minds and dreams. They are journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and still be back in time for dinner,” once wrote celebrated author Neil Gaiman in ‘M is for Magic’, his collection of poems and tales. Indeed, stories — and books in general — can help us explore the world from the comfort of our homes. Through vivid descriptions of faraway lands and diverse cultures, books transport us to places we’ve never been to, and might even help us relive fond memories from past travels. A fantastically written book about someone’s journey, whether up a…