A book can be like a journey in and of itself — allowing you to explore the depths of new experiences and exotic destinations. They can also inspire your travels.
These books are sure to fuel your wanderlust and immerse you in the rich settings of some our favorite destinations.
1. A Year in the World, by Frances Mayes
Mayes relishes the pull of the unknown, the delight in learning something new and the simple joy of leaving the unknown behind as she traces her steps through a globe-trotting adventure.
| “One of those flash epiphanies of travel, the realization that worlds you’d love vibrantly exist outside your ignorance of them. The vitality of many lives you know nothing about.” |
(amazon)
2. On the Road, by Jack Kerouac
On the Road is an American literary classic tracing main character Sal’s growth through adventure and exploration as he traverses the United States.
| “But why think about that when all the golden lands ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you’re alive to see?” |
(amazon)
3. Wild, by Cheryl Strayed
A story of loss, self-discovery and healing, Wild chronicles Strayed’s journey along the Pacific Crest Trail in the wake of the death of her mother and dissolution of her marriage.
| “Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told.” |
(amazon)
4. The Art of Travel, by Alain de Botton
de Botton explores the “why” of travel in this thought-provoking book that seeks to learn what compels our wanderlust and the role it plays in our lives.
| “Journeys are the midwives of thought. Few places are more conducive to internal conversations than a moving plane, ship or train.” |
(amazon)
5. The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho
The novel’s protagonist, Santiago, is a shepherd boy who follows his dreams through Spain, Morocco and Egypt, learning lessons of love and life along the way.
| “We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity.” |
(amazon)
6. Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel
While not necessarily a “travel book” per se, this modern romantic classic embodies the vibrancy and sensuality of one of our favorite destinations — Mexico.
| “Each of us is born with a box of matches inside us but we can’t strike them all by ourselves” |
(amazon)
7. Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
How could we not include this? The autobiographical travelogue follows Liz as she traverses the globe seeking meaning in both the Dionysian and the divine.
| “Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it.” |
(amazon)
Travel well.