I wanted to share a book I received in exchange for this review. The book is called Away to See: Martha’s Vineyard (Away to See Series) by Paul Norwood (Artist), Liz Norwood (Contributor) Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
When I first heard about Away to See: Martha’s Vineyard, I was intrigued because Martha’s Vineyard is one of those places I’ve always wanted to visit. Over the years I’ve read about Martha’s Vineyard in books, heard people mention vacations there, and seen Martha’s Vineyard referenced in movies on Hallmark and television shows my family watches. Martha’s Vineyard always sounds like the kind of destination where life slows down for a little while.
As a mom, the idea of spending time somewhere peaceful, walking along the water, exploring local shops, and simply enjoying the scenery sounds wonderful. While an actual trip to Martha’s Vineyard isn’t in my plans right now, this book offered the next best thing.
As I turned the pages, I found myself imagining what it would be like to visit the Island. The paintings by Paul Norwood immediately drew me in. Each picture captures a different side of Martha’s Vineyard, from the coastline to the quieter moments that visitors might otherwise overlook. Instead of rushing through the book.
I found myself stopping to study the artwork and appreciate the details Charlie and David loved the images as much as I did and they would like to visit Martha’s Vineyard as well now. Would you like to visit Martha’s Vineyard with my family?
Another aspect of the writing by Liz Norwood adds another layer to the experience. Rather than reading like a travel guide packed with facts and directions, the book feels more personal and reflective. It encourages readers to slow down, notice their surroundings, and appreciate the beauty that exists in everyday moments.
One thing I especially enjoyed was how relaxing the book felt. Life can get busy, and sometimes it’s nice to sit down with a book that doesn’t demand anything from you except your attention. The combination of artwork and thoughtful writing created a calming reading experience that felt almost like a mini vacation from my living room.
By the time I finished Away to See: Martha’s Vineyard (Away to See Series), I found myself wanting to visit Martha’s Vineyard even more than before. Until that day comes, Away to See: Martha’s Vineyard provides a beautiful glimpse into a place that many people dream of visiting.
If you enjoy travel books, artwork inspired by coastal destinations, or books that encourage reflection and mindfulness, Away to See: Martha’s Vineyard (Away to See Series) is a book worth adding to your collection and it will look perfectly on our coffee table.
About the Book:
A poetic and painterly tribute to Martha’s Vineyard, Away to See captures the beauty, stillness, and spirit of this iconic coastal destination through lyrical prose and vibrant, full-color paintings.
With 46 original works by Paul Norwood and reflective vignettes by Liz Norwood, this contemplative gift book invites readers to pause, reflect, and truly see. It’s the first in a series that lives at the intersection of art, travel, and mindfulness—offering sensory journeys through beloved places around the world.
Longtime summer residents Paul and Liz share their favorite island experiences and illuminate its slower, quieter side: the astonishing seascapes, the spirit of community, and the joy found in everyday details.
Why Readers Treasure This Book:
• Sensory Travel Experience: Evokes the rhythm and essence of island life through expressive artwork and poetic language.
• Local Insight, Universal Appeal: Created by longtime residents with an intimate understanding of Martha’s Vineyard’s landscapes and culture.
• A Fresh Take on Travel Books: Blends fine art, reflection, and narrative—offering more than a typical guidebook or photo collection.
• Display-Worthy Format: Small, elegant casebound hardcover—perfect for coffee tables, gift shops, or coastal home libraries.
Whether you’re an armchair traveler, art lover, or island local, Away to See: Martha’s Vineyardis a meditative escape that celebrates slowing down, looking closer, and savoring the world around you.
Meet the Author: Paul Norwood
Paul Norwood is a painter known for his loose, gestural style and luminous coastal scenes. Growing up on the coast of Maine, he decided early on he’d rather paint the sea than fish from it. He went on to study fine art at Syracuse University, earning his BFA before a long career as an art director and creative director. Today, Paul devotes all his time to painting, working from his studios on Martha’s Vineyard and in Mill Valley, California.
Paul’s work, exhibited in galleries and art fairs from Boston to San Francisco, reflects a lifelong fascination with water—its calm, its ferocity, its infinite variations of color and form. “I’m constantly striving to spend less time with each painting,” he says. “To represent form with fewer brushstrokes and a simpler palette. To rely on the mind’s eye to do the work.”
Together with his wife, writer Liz Norwood, Paul co-created Away to See: Martha’s Vineyard, the first in the Away to See series of art-and-travel books.
Blending Paul’s paintings with Liz’s lyrical vignettes, the Away to See series celebrates the ritual of artfully observing and recording the everyday through paint and pen, and invites readers to slow down, look closely, and rediscover the wonder in new and familiar places.
More books in the series, such as Away to See: California Coast, Away to See: Côte d’Azur, and Away to See: Islands of Italy, are in the works.
Meet the Author: Liz Norwood
Liz Norwood is a writer and editor whose work explores the connections between creativity, place, and perception. A longtime Bay Area native and summer resident of Martha’s Vineyard, she helps nonprofits, small businesses, artists, and authors tell their stories and share their big ideas.
Together with her husband, painter Paul Norwood, Liz co-created Away to See: Martha’s Vineyard, the first in the Away to See series of art-and-travel books.
Blending Paul’s loose, gestural paintings with Liz’s lyrical vignettes, the Away to See series celebrates the ritual of artfully observing and recording the everyday through paint and pen, and invites readers to slow down, look closely, and rediscover the wonder in new and familiar places.
More books in the series, such as Away to See: California Coast, Away to See: Côte d’Azur, and Away to See: Islands of Italy, are in the works.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
