Outside, the Tyrrhenian Sea laps gently against old stones and Eduardo's red hibiscus flowers close up for the night. I can hear distant strains of music bounce between the hills and imagine it's coming from Da Giannino's.

In these essays, thirteen writers capture the magic and mirage of islands. Octavia Bright remembers a formative trip to the fish-shaped island of Elba in Tuscany; Megan Nolan sees Manhattan anew after discovering the joys of wandering the city alone; Noreen Masud flies to Tasmania, hoping to catch sight of a duck-billed platypus, and K Patrick takes a two-hour ferry from the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Lewis.

Over the Water will transport you to shores far and near, a perfect travel companion filled with timeless essays.