21 Best Travel Books 

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!

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.

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.

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.

Concierge Confidential - Michael Fazio

I love this inside scoop from behind the scenes of the rich and famous by Michael Fazio.

New York's top concierge shares his stories and secrets from the madness of catering to the elite, from the ridiculous demands to having to get people into anywhere.

It's an at times hilarious read. I wouldn't want his job for the world, but it is fun to take a peek inside the secret life of a concierge.

 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.

Grand Adventures by Alastair Humphreys

National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Alastair Humphreys has rounded up the world's most grand adventures to inspire you to try your own.

He has inspired us on many levels. We first heard of Alastair while he was cycling around the world. We were cycling in the Tour d'Afrique from Cairo to Cape Town, and we were honoured when he asked us to share our story in his book!

Alastair draws on his 15 years of adventures to share "encouragement, advice, and a polite kick up the backside to overcome a lack of time or money and life’s commitments" and to help you choose your adventure.

He shares interviews from 100 other adventurers around the world, including yours truly!

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.

Discover Canada - Leigh McAdam

We first met Leigh while cycling from Cairo to Cape Town down the continent of Africa.

She inspired us with her will and drive to push her limits each day.

Now a successful travel blogger at Hike Bike Travel, Leigh keeps the adventure going as she treks across Canada, showcasing 100 inspiring outdoor adventures in our home and native land.

For all things Canada check out our Canada Travel Guide

It was our honour to contribute to the foreword of Leigh's book and when we are looking for adventures to have in Canada, we check out this book.

It's perfect for Canada's 150th celebration, happening all year long this 2017!

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day - Matt Kepnes

For the wannabe backpackers out there, this book offers advice on travel hacking and smart banking, along with tips and tricks to traveling the world while still enjoying some of the finer things in life.

Nomadic Matt has parlayed his highly successful travel blog into a best selling travel book on the New York Time's best sellers list.

With money saving tips on transportation, food, beverages, accommodation, and airline tickets, it's the how-to guide for twenty-something budget travellers.

Break into Travel Writing - Beth Blair

Want to break into travel writing? Well, our good friend Beth Blair has written a book to do just that.

She provides specific advice for travel writing for magazines, travel guides, and travel books as well as information on blogging, social media, and websites.

You will also see a few words of wisdom from Dave and I in there as well!