As South Africa settles into autumn and the cooler months roll in, beach days may feel like a distant memory. But for those ...

“Playworld” is the sometimes wild, sometimes heartbreaking new coming-of-age novel by Adam Ross, author of “Mr. Peanut,” his remarkable debut novel from 2010.

Having first visited Thailand as a backpacker two decades ago - and returned annually ever since - my hotel tally broke 100 some time ago.