Before we started traveling full time, we read a lot of travel books. When I wanted to escape, I picked up a book and let the words transport me to exotic lands to have a great adventure.
While traveling full time since 2009, we didn't pick up as many books as we used to but it was fun to make our own adventures around the world for a few years.
Now that we have slowed down and finally have a home base again, we have set up our reading room, with essential oils, reading socks, mellow music and soft lighting where we can be transported to another world.
It's been exciting perusing the bookstore down the street to discover new books about travel, and it's been fun to revisit some of our favorites.
In our opinion, these are the best books of all time for travelers of all types. From travel adventures to luxury, romance, and daydreaming, you are going to love traveling the world through words.
Enjoy!
Our Favorite Travel Books
We've got a link to every one of them on Amazon so you can download for your Kindle or have the hard copies delivered today!
Disclosure: If you click the links below and make a purchase from Amazon, we do receive a referral commission at no extra cost to you. We're grateful for your support!
Finding Gobi – Dion Leonard
If you love adventure, travel and dogs, you are going to love this book. Ultramarathon runner Dion Leonard travelled to China with one thing on his mind; to finish on the podium of a 155-mile race through the Gobi desert.
Follow the story of a runner whose heart is warmed by the persistence of a stray dog that kept pace through heat and exhaustion for 70 miles.
See how Leonard is transformed from focused veteran to a man that gives up what little food he has in his pack to share with Gobi, allows the little guy in his tent for warmth, carries him over rushing streams and eventually creates a bond that may (or may not) last beyond the race.
You'll have to read it to see what happens next!
Travels – Michael Chrichton
Who would have thought that the author of such bestsellers as Jurassic Park, Rising Sun, and Disclosure could also be such an avid traveler?
Michael Chrichton's Travels is one of the best travel books we have ever read. It's a collection of memoirs dating back to Crichton's med school days.
It was his retelling of his climb up Mount Kilimanjaro that inspired me to always be truthful when writing about travel.
People always forget the bad and only tell the good when they get home from a trip.
Travel is tough and it is not always fun, but travel will always be an extraordinary experience.
American Shaolin – Matthew Polly
A regular American boy, Matthew Polly recounts his time living, studying, and performing with the Shaolin monks in China.
This hilarious read starts with Matthew dropping out of Princeton to pursue his dream of transforming his scrawny physique into that of a kung fu master while sharing some humorous insight into Chinese culture.
He tells tales of breaking into the secret world of Shaolin and eventually becoming accepted by his Chinese peers, who study disciplines like the Iron Crotch and other various indestructible body parts.
Masked Rider – Neil Peart
Many people know him as a massively talented drummer from Rush, but what they do not realize is that Neil Peart is not only one of the greatest drummers in the history of music, (Rolling Stone has him at #4 in the Greatest Drummers of All time) he is also an avid cyclist.
Masked Rider is an honest and undisguised account of his time cycling in West Africa.
It is not your average rock legend's journey.
He suffers from the usual problems that other poor backpackers face: Disgusting accommodations, heat, exhaustion, personality clashes, and don't forget the inevitable dysentery.
Neil Peart lets us see the man behind the rock star and he makes us realize that superstars are people too.
Eat Pray Love – Elizabeth Gilbert
I didn't love Eat Pray Love, but many of my friends did and it was on every bestseller list, so I am not the norm and therefore I feel it should be included.
It is the story of Elizabeth Gilbert finding herself after divorce.
It's self-indulgent and I hated the part in India, probably because I read it while in India and she gave a sanitized candy version since she spent all her time in an Ashram.
But, I do think it is helpful to inspire certain people who have never stepped out of their comfort zone or taken a chance.
She travels to:
- Italy for the food – Eat
- India for meditation and yoga – Pray
- Indonesia where she meets someone. – Love
Considering it's her life, it's an amazing experience.
Crazy Rich Asians – Kevin Kwan
The movie is taking the world by storm and while I haven't seen that yet (it's on my list!) I have read the book and it is excellent.
Peek behind the looking glass of the secretive billionaire families that have more money than Vladimir Putin.
Crazy Rich Asians takes you into the exclusive world of ultra-rich Singapore families that fly off to Hong Kong and Macau for private parties, and then pop over to Australia on a moment's notice.
When Rachel accepts her boyfriend's invitation to spend the summer in Asia she get's quite a shock.
As the story progresses, she learns her humble boyfriend is Asia's most eligible bachelor and everyone (including his mother) is out to tear them apart.
Love Africa – Jeffrey Gettleman
Love Africa is a story about Jeffry Gettleman the East Africa bureau chief for the New York Times.
It begins with his first trip to Africa when he volunteered and fell in love with the continent.
But he kept being called back to the United States to his other love, his girlfriend Courtenay who is a criminal defense lawyer.
Follow his story as he navigates his career as a journalist, to his love for Africa and his true love relationship with Courtenay.
Can you have it all? Read the book to find out, because we're not giving it away.
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
It's an oldie but a goodie. The Alchemist is the story of a shepherd named Santiago who sells his flock and purchases a ticket to Tangier, where he is robbed and must work at a shop to find his way home.
He ends up taking a great adventure across the Sahara and after all his adventures, discovers his fortune right back where he started.
I read this book before we started travelling full time and it put me in the mood to wander.
It is an inspiring story urging us to follow our dreams and listen to our hearts.
I think the Alchemist was the catalyst to me dreaming about making travel a full-time career.
White Tiger – Aravind Adiga
If you are looking for the perfect little picture of India and a beautiful homage to its temples and culture, this book is not for you.
White Tiger tells of a dirty and unforgiving India, an India that doesn't allow people to claw their way out of their Caste.
White Tiger's India doesn't have sympathy for the poor or helpless.
This is a book that neither of us could put down and a book that we feel needs to be read by everyone traveling to India.
Those who have spent their time in an Ashram or driving around the country in an organized tour isolated from the truth won't like it.
But, like one review said, “This is the book that India Tourism doesn't want you to read.”
The Beach by Alex Garland
Let me set one thing straight, I hated the movie, but I loved the book.
The Beach captures what travel was like in Thailand way back in the 1990's.
We traveled to Thailand for the first time in 2000 and it was pretty much like it was described in the book.
There were still undiscovered coves and beaches and there were probably several drug kingpins running the land. The Beach is a great adventure.
In a Sunburned Country – Bill Bryson
Anything by Bill Bryson is a winner, but my personal favourite is In a Sunburned Country.
I laughed out loud while reading this book.
Written at a time when the world was still getting to know Australia, it shows the quirkiness of the island country and makes you want to book a ticket to see it for yourself. Read it; you'll fall in love with Australia and have a few good belly laughs in the process
Dave Barry Does Japan
He may be old school, but Dave Barry is hilarious.
My friend Dot introduced me to Dave Barry in the 1990s and it was then that my love for travel began.
I never thought I'd become a travel writer, but I loved reading about his escapades around the world.
Dave Barry Does Japan is my favourite of his books, as he explains Japanese traditions through humour and experiences at karaoke bars, geisha encounters, kabuki theatre and confusing comedy clubs.
Dave Barry is the humour writer I wish I was, but I am content to read his stuff and be happy with where I am.
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
This no holds barred autobiography of a child soldier, Ishmael Beah, is gripping. A Long Way Gone tells how an innocent child can be forced into savage warfare in Sierra Leone.
Having lost everything including his family, his home, and his soul, Ishmael tells of his journey to evade the military.
For three years he hid in the jungle and half starved to death. It recounts the fear and despair he felt each day until he was finally captured by the government army.
Hopped up on drugs, he was forced to commit unthinkable acts. This is a story of going to hell and back, living a life of revenge and violence.
He was rescued by UNICEF but it was a long and painful rehabilitation.
The Bang Bang Club – Greg Marinovich & Jaoa Silva
Set in Apartheid-Era South Africa, the Bang Bang Club is a true account telling the tale of the 4 photojournalists that dared to enter the townships and document history as it was happening. It was written by two of the journalists Greg Marinovich & Jaoa Silva
Heartbreaking and shocking, the Bang Bang Club doesn't hold back when telling of the brutality of that time.
The photographers had to come to terms with their own demons and what they witnessed day in and day out as war correspondence reporters. They were at the top of their profession with their photographs in demand around the world. Their photos made history and set new standards, achieving two Pulitzer Prizes between them.
The Girl in the Picture – Vietnam
The story of Kim Phuc as told in her own words.
During the Vietnam War, photographer Nick Ut captured the shocking photo of children running from a napalm blast.
Kim was the centre of that photograph, with her naked body covered in severe burns. It became known as the photo of the century and she was known for decades as The Girl in the Picture.
She tells her story of what happened next, and what a fascinating tale it is. She takes us to Vietnam, Cuba, and finally Canada.
Touching the Void – Joe Simpson
Joe Simpson recalls his harrowing climb of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes back in 1985 with Simon Yates.
The book stands the test of time as Joe recalls the three days he spent trying to get down the mountain after a near fatal fall.
Disaster struck after their summit when Joe fell into a crevasse and broke his leg (very badly).
Left for dead, he made his way down the mountain while suffering unbearable pain from a crushed tibia, frostbite, and dehydration.
This read will keep you on the edge of your seat. Definitely one of the best adventure books I have read.
It was also made into a movie in 2003.
Into Thin Air – John Krakauer
Back in the day, I loved reading John Krakauer. Into the Wild was his first book and many people put this book on their best of lists, but I enjoyed Into Thin Air better. Maybe it's the adventurer in me, but reading about those who choose to summit Everest and understanding what it is like to go into the Death Zone is incredible.
He recalls the fateful climb in 1996 where 8 people died.
It delves into the mistakes that were made and the reasons people put their lives on the line to climb the world's highest mountain.
We've been to Mount Everest Base Camp and it's exciting to read about a place that we've been and retrace steps through Namche Bazaar, the Tenboche Monks, and the Sherpa monuments to those who have fallen.
It is a tragedy, but it is also a grand adventure.
Ultimate Journeys for Two – Mike and Anne Howard
Ultimate Journeys for Two was written by our friends Mike and Anne Howard who are currently on the world's longest honeymoon.
And you can find us in there too talking about Greenland travel!
This book ggivespeople travel ideas to inspire couples to go out and see the world and have a great adventure.
There are ideas for couples to travel on every continent!
1,000 Places to See Before You Die
If you have a serious case of wanderlust buy this book by Patricia Schultz. I've taken my Sharpie Marker and gone through the destinations she recommends.
1,000 Places to See Before You Die is the world's best selling travel book.
We are proud to say we've already visited quite a few recommendations, and she's inspired us to visit many more, like the Elmina Castle in Ghana and tracking the mountain gorilla in Uganda.
I wish I had thought of this idea, but it's the original brainchild of the talented and wonderful Patricia Schultz.
So what would you add to the list of Best Travel Books? Did your favourite make our list? What books have given you the most travel inspiration?
Peeyush says
Wonderful list. This is what I was searching for. Thanks for doing the hard research for me.
Sharonmary says
Awesome list. Thanks for sharing. It’s really very useful.
Australian says
Thanks for sharing!
Agarwood Nha Trang says
These are very interesting books about travel, I had the opportunity to read some of them. very nice
Jessica says
I can’t wait to read more of these books! Reading has always been one way that I keep my wanderlust alive and well.
Shubham Varshney says
I was just searching for some good books which can take me into the world of wanderlust. As expected, you are on the internet with your awesome experience. I would love to read all of them. The Alchemist I have done and I am approaching other ones from now onwards. Thanks for sharing this post.
Sai Krishna says
Very useful thing for those who like traveling. Thanks for sharing this with us,
Nelson Williams says
Love those books… thanks for sharing
Regards!
Thank You!
Kira Petersen says
Michael Palin’s Pole to Pole and Levison Woods Walking the Himalayas!
Jade Mortimer says
The only book in this list that I have read (partly) is Eat Pray Love but I also didn’t love it! I was actually in Bali when I started it and it just didn’t grab me, but I’ll definitely be trying out some others on this list! A good book on holiday can do wonders!
Wanjiku says
I hope to get my hands on Eat, Pray, Love soon. It must be a great read coz it’s on every travel books list.
pavitra shankhdhar says
Wonderful collection. I was in deep search. Thanks a lot to write about these books.
randiv says
Thanks, Actually I am searching these collection from so many times. Great !!
Wander Dad says
Thanks for sharing. I was actually not aware about Michael Crichton’s book. Great list of books, I better start reading.
Taylor says
Lot’s of new books for me to add to my list! Thank you! I loved In A Sunburned Country, I consider it one of my favourite travel books and it definitely encouraged me to travel to Australia where I am now!
Paula Morgan says
Thanks, guys some great books there. Think I need to get my hands on Dave does Japan. I am hoping to visit next year.
My all time favourite travel book that I never seen included on any lists is called WorldWalk by Steven Newman. In his early 20s, over a period of 4 years, Steven walked around the world relying on the kindness of strangers. This was the mid-1980s well before the time of internet and mobile phones being common place. His book is inspirational and entertaining and eye-opening all at once. I can’t recommend it enough.
lukas kae says
it is very helpful for me like a traveler
Ryan Smith says
An amazing list of books. I watched the film Eat Pray Love (starring Julia Roberts, maybe) but never took the time to read the book. THis list inspired me.
I think one books may be worth adding is Vagabonding.
KulkulSharma says
I just want to say “wow” you have an amazing collection of books.
Justin Estor says
I was looking for a list like this! I just finished reading a series of books for foodies and Eat Pray Love was one of them. Thanks for sharing yours! Concierge Confidential seems like an interesting read.
Sidhu says
thanks for sharing
inder shira says
i have planning to travel 2or3 places.i read this article.it is very helpful it provide great ideas.amazing article thanks for sharing.
Archie Pellago says
Great recommendations! Some of it are already on my list. I just pick some great additions on my list. Thanks!
turkeytraveljournal.com says
I think i watched the movie American Shaolin like 20 years ago. I didn’t know it was from a book. Gonna check it for sure.
Thanks for great post.
Richard says
I really love “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer as well as his other book “Into the Wild”, The book and Sean Penn movie are amazing.
I also love anything by Bill Bryson with my favorite being “A Walk in the Woods”
Luke says
For something hot off the press, check out Oblivious; the story of a ride through Africa on a Royal Enfield.
Lost teeth, hitchhiking on iron ore trains in the Sahara, romance… Check it out: obliviousthebook.com
Ryan says
Thank you for this! I’ve been into Kerouac lately because I love (and love to hate) his frantic writing style but I needed some other material =)
Rewa says
Hey Awesome List of books,
I read eat pray love that is totally awesome and every traveler must read.
Now I am going to add The Alchemist and American Shaolin in my bucket list.
Hotel in Ranchi says
Nice post! thanks for sharing.
Priyanka Pradeep says
I was searching for best travel books ad I found this. I have only Paulo Coelho from this list and i am definitely going to get myself a few. Thanks for the wonderful list. Really useful.
Kendra says
This is a great list – most of these I’ve not read so my reading list has just grown! A Long Way Gone is one book, though, that has been on my shelf for years – I’m a bit afraid to read it….
(I don’t admit this too loudly, but I couldn’t stand Eat Pray Love …)
Greg Kennon says
Which is your favorite?? Obviously not Eat Pray Love! lol
Ana Belle says
The alchemist from the Paulo Coelho is very good book….i´m brazilian and like Paulo Coelho
Claire Algarme says
Whenever I enter a bookstore, I always look for books pertaining travel, whether they are memoirs or a compilation of essays. I also made a post about these books that I have in my shelf. I can spot three of them here in your list. I’m interested in the other books you have cited here and I hope to get my own copies.
hamil ton Airport Limo Service says
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Justin of A Couple for the Road says
This is a great list… there’s also a lot of great poetry (Heights of Machu Picchu- Neruda) and Siddhartha by Herman Hesse really had me thinking Southeast Asia big time! Great post, guys!
Thomas says
I love to read travel books. This is a very resourceful list. I have read some of the books from this list. Very inspiring post. Loved it:)
Rachel Clarke says
This post has defiantly inspired me to get reading! please take the time to check out my travel blog: earthsmagicalplaces.com
Vicky Patel says
All of these traveling books look amazing, especially if you’re on a long journey or waiting for your ride and need to kill time! Thank you for sharing these.
ME says
Awesome list, thanks for sharing with us
Tram Huong Khanh Hoa says
Very Nice
Anurao says
Many read and many added to the list. I’m neither a fan of books that paint a pretty picture of a country nor of the ones that put down a country altogether. But I still read them because there is no such thing as bad book 😉 We all learn a thing or two from a book anyway 🙂
Katie @ the tea break project says
I’m ashamed to admit that, of these, I’ve only read The Alchemist – although White Tiger is sitting waiting patiently on my bookshelf.
I do like to read books about / set in places I’m going to travel to, though. One of the best examples was before I went to Kansas last summer, I read all of the Little House on the Prairie books, and it actually really opened up the history of the area for me, and helped me to understand the formation of the state, and why it looks & is the way it is.
I’m currently reading Alain de Botton’s The Art of Travel, and it’s really making me think about how I write about my own travels, and how I tie together my travel blogging with my other writing (poetry & fiction).
Elizabeth says
All of Bill Bryson’s travel books make me want to just get off the couch and just go (and record my travels with dry wit and sarcasm), but aside from Bryson’s Road to Little Dribbling, I think my other favorite travel read of the last year was Mo Willems’ You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons: The World on One Cartoon a Day. Not only does one cartoon a day actually create a bizarrely interesting read, but it makes you start noticing the little moments that make your day. I also enjoyed Storybook Travels by Colleen Dunn Bates and Susan La Tempa. It’s a great book for parents traveling with children!
Agness of Fit Travelling says
Awesome list, I will definitely be picking up a few of those, and read some of them again. Thank you Dave and Deb 🙂
Natalie T. says
Ha! I loved The Beach, the movie! Haven’t read the book but maybe I’ll put it on my list. 🙂
I did stopped reading Eat, Pray, Love in the India chapter but I went back to read it a second time and I’m glad I did. Her book, Big Magic, is really great for aspiring creatives so I would recommend that. 🙂
Dave and Deb says
Interesting. I should maybe read Eat Pray Love again. The India chapter might be better for me since I’m no longer in India. Being removed from the location might put her writing into a different perspective
Kate says
Great recommendations! I can’t wait to check a few of these titles out!
Kate | http://www.petiteadventures.org/
Rachel Elizabeth says
I’m saving this post in Bloglovin’ for as a future shopping reference, haha. I’ve gone through all my books and need more reading material. Thanks so much for sharing! I own and have already read Nomadic Matt’s book. It was super helpful!
Trisha says
Oh lordy my stack of books that I want to read is already sizable but I can see I’m going to add a few more to it….you have some great recommendations here. 🙂
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..PR-Blogger Relations Manifesto =-.
Shannon OD says
I agree – I loved White Tiger and couldn’t put it down. I read about five or six of the “must reads” that were popular for India travelers at the time and White Tiger and Shantaram were tops!
davendeb says
I have to read Shantaram. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before writing this post. That is what I love about posts like this, you can learn so much from other people.
agentcikay says
White Tiger by Aravind Adiga is really cool and also Travels by Michael Crichton…great list D&D!
.-= agentcikay´s last blog ..Hokkien Mee and its Cult status =-.
davendeb says
Thanks. I am glad that someone else has read travels. When we tell people that Michael Chricton had a travel book they think we are mistaken. But it is very good.
Mariellen Ward says
Hahaha, I am laughing because the two books I can’t stand about India are The White Tiger and Shantaram — and both are mentioned here, in your post and in the comments. I have read a lot of books about India and I think there are far better books, more balanced, more insightful, more honest. I find these two blow a lot of hot air.
I think there is a kind of reactionary response to the “shining” India of economists or the “magical” India of travel writers and spiritual seekers. In fact, India — like life — is all of these things. Magical, poor, spiritual, dirty, friendly, nerve-wracking. A lot depends on your perspective, attitude and perception.
I have said before that India is like the cave that Yoda sends Luke into. When Luke asks, “What will I find there?” Yoda answers, “Only what you bring in with you.”
Mariellen
.-= Mariellen Ward´s last blog ..Photo of the Week- Naga Sadhu =-.
davendeb says
Well, we will agree to disagree on this subject. We enjoyed many parts of India and made friends with many wonderful people, but a book that talks about the negatives of any country is important. That is how change is made. The poor need a voice and White Tiger gives them one in a very entertaining way to let people know their side of the story. I would love to know the books that are more balanced and insightful, it would be great if you could list a couple of recommendations and I will check them out.
And your Star Wars quote (while very profound) has nothing to do with the book and the point we are making. White Tiger is about the people that are living in India, not about what a tourist is supposed to get out of their spiritual journey to India.
Thanks for your comment Mariellen, I know that you love India and this recommendation isn’t meant to offend people that do, it is just a book that we felt hit the nail on the head of a lot of what we saw and read in the papers while we were there.
Laura says
I’m glad you replied to this Dave, the post made me feel stupid and ignorant when I first read it, but then I thought about it more and my point still stands – I read the book and it made me want to go to India. I will stand with the agreement to disagree – Shantaram is a work of fiction, which is a story with hints of lives and attitudes in India, but through extreme views. It’s like saying you’d never go to Virginia because of Patricia Cornwell’s books. If I wanted earnest travel writing with a true anthropological view, I’d have gone to the travel writing or the history section. Perhaps it’s even more impressive that a work of fiction can open your mind to a country. I get a better view of what it’s really like from Indian friends, but I’m also a literature fan and have many influences in my travel life.
I’m currently struggling through Open Veins of Latin America, which is a socio-historic view of the region, before travelling out to Costa Rica later this year. It’s very worthy and I would really like to understand more of the politics, history and culture before I go but I’m highly unlikely to finish it as history presented in fact is rarely inspirational and certainly more difficult to absorb. My partner bought me Costa Rica: A Traveller’s Literary Companion, which is a series of local, translated short stories and folklore. I’ve whizzed through it because it was enjoyable and accessible – far more inspiring than the worthier tome that will give me a ‘better’ view.
Sorry to rant – apparently I feel quite strongly about this!
davendeb says
Thanks for the comment and don’t be sorry at all. That is what we love about blogging, it encourages discussion. I think that your point is bang on. Books of extremes can make me want to go the a country even more. The Bang Bang Club is very unforgiving and yet, I think that it inspires people to go to South Africa. I read it while I was there and loved it even though it didn’t portray the country is a perfect light.
I guess, a lot of the books we mentioned don’t paint a pretty picture of any country, but they all have inspired us to explore them more.
And you are right, this is a book of fiction and it is impressive that a book can open your mind to a country and evoke such strong feelings on either side of the coin. That makes for great writing I think, when people feel passionate about it either way…absolutely loving it, or genuinely hating it.
Laura says
Shantaram is also a very inspiring picture of India. Bittersweet, laugh out loud, exciting book. I’d never wanted to visit before reading this, now it’s definitely on my list.
davendeb says
Laura, I will definitely have to check out Shantaram thanks for the recommendation.
davendeb says
Oops, I replied to Trisha on the wrong post, that is supposed to be on Celebrities that inspire travel post. Taking it off now, but didn’t want you to think that I was a crazy person and going off on a tangent regarding celebrities:) Sorry Laura.
Laura says
I must say it did confuse me!
davendeb says
Haha, sorry about that. If you didn’t reply back, I would have never known and we would have had an odd message on our books post about celebrities. 🙂