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“A book is a dream that you hold in your hands.” – Neil Gaiman

Don’t you love how a good book can take you to some far away place and open up a piece of you that has been asleep for a long time?

I read a lot of different types of books, but I am always drawn to, and inspired by, leaps of faith into adventure by others. This way when I am not travelling I can still get a bit of a “fix” through books. These are my top recommendations for fun and inspirational reading.

If you are like me, this will be a fun adventure all on it’s own! A lot of the travel related books that I have read have provided me with many “Aha” moments and have changed my life, helping me to fulfill my dreams and I want that for you too.

The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca

I first heard of Tahir Shah when I heard him speak at a conference. His ability to weave a story and make you laugh is uncanny. After hearing about his writing I picked up The Caliph’s House, a story about how he and his family moved to Casablanca for a year.

It’s full of wildly funny mishaps, understanding and coming to terms with the idiosyncrasies of another culture, learning about spirits and realizing who you are. I loved this book. His writing is beautiful and captivating and laugh out loud.

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In a Sunburned Country

I do love a good Bill Bryson novel. Though at times a bit slow he suddenly makes you laugh out loud with some random observation or some visualization he induced. In a Sunburned Country takes you on a tour around Australia. From the bustling and incredibly clean cities to the great outback, where there is only one road if any.

You are invited to learn about this great country, of which is so secretive. The aches and hardships of it’s people, the immense beauty and harshness of the landscape and the crazy ideas foreigners had to boost their economy. It’s a great look at Australia and leaves you wanting to witness this special place yourself.

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The Lost City of Z

I bought this book because of the explorer in me. I love books about exploration, that time when there was so much undiscovered land in the world that people were actually paid to go and see them and discover what was out there. I really think it was truly a magical time.

Based on a true story of Percy Fawcett, a dromomaniac to the core. This guy really had a penchant for wandering and was one tough nut. His dream was to discover the fabled Lost City of Z in the Amazon jungle. A place of solid gold. After spending much time in the Amazon mapping the rivers and successfully creating borders between the countries he became obsessed with finding this city.

After you check out the book, make sure to also watch the movie to get another fun perspective on this amazing adventure.

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Turn Right at Machu Picchu

Another true story of exploration, Mark Adams, a writer who has never gone on any big adventures in his life decides to follow the trail of the early explorers as they discover Machu Picchu and the other surrounding Inca ruins.

Having never done anything like this before Mark finds himself completely out of his comfort zone but soon discovers the wonder and beauty of the rainforest. It’s funny, it’s inviting and it will leave you wanting to explore more than just the magical city of Machu Picchu.

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Vagabonding

I wanted to read this book ever since I embarked on my travel blog journey. Writer Rolf Potts, well known in the travel writing sphere, shows you how you can travel the world for extended periods of time. He also shows you how to do it on your own terms.

Travel looks differently for everyone, whether its a one week trip or a two year trip, on a budget or complete luxury. It’s up to you to decide what you want your round the world trip to look like. And Rolf shows you how to do it.

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Around the World in 50 Years

When I first saw this book in a bookstore I was totally drawn in by the cover. I mean honestly, who wouldn’t love this cover! It was a total impulse buy. This is one man’s story of how he visited every country during his lifetime. Nowadays, people are visiting every country in the span of a few short years, but he really took his time with this one.

At times a little slow, this book lays out his plan, his difficulties (particularly getting a visa to visit some countries), the impossible friendliness of others, and the joy of travel. If you are stuck at home, this is a great read to get you thinking about your next adventure.

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The Snow Leopard

This book checks all my boxes. It’s a trip of exploration and a look into the world of wildlife research. Yet another true story where the author, Peter, joins a friend on a research trip in the Himalayas. Looking for blue sheep, Peter also hopes to glimpse one of the shy and secretive snow leopards during their trip.

It’s a journey of struggle, extremes and immense imagery. His writing is beautiful and spiritual and his time in the mountains deeply affects him and you as the reader.

During this epic 200+ mile trek they go through waist deep snows in landscapes most will never see gives the explorer in me the painful need to push myself out of my comfort zone to experience these magical landscapes.

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Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story

Every traveler, whether new or seasoned, knows Lonely Planet. They produce some of the best guides you can buy. This was another book I had to have after hearing the founder of Lonely Planet speak at a conference. A charismatic, funny world traveler.

This book not only takes you on a journey around the globe it also tells you the story of Lonely Planet, from it’s very beginnings.

It’s a book every traveler should read at some point.

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A Cook’s Tour

I am completely obsessed with Anthony Bourdain. I know many of you loved his work long before his tragic suicide and I knew who he was but didn’t fully realize the beauty of his work until his death. The first episode of Parts Unknown I watched was in Oman, and I was just blown away with the kindness of others. I learned a lot from that one episode and from there I was hooked.

So, naturally I had to start from the beginning. After reading Kitchen Confidential I started in on A Cook’s Tour, of the same name as the accompanying television series. Both follow his trip around the globe to try some of the craziest foods in the world, including a cobra heart.

If you love his shows, you will love his books. He was an exceptional writer, with his bit of snark weaved into every sentence. To me there is nothing like reading a book and then seeing the show/movie to compare or even enhance the experience.

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Eat Pray Love

This is one of my favorite books of all time so it’s only natural that I start with this one. I first heard about this book from Oprah’s talk show. Elizabeth Gilbert was a guest and she was talking about the book and at the time I thought, “Hmmm, I’m gonna have to check that book out sometime.” Then I kind of forgot about it. Several months, and possibly a year later, I was in an airport and saw it on the shelf of a store. You see I have this problem where I cannot enter a bookstore (airport or otherwise) without buying a book. I always liken it to women and shoes. It’s a bit of an addiction. It just felt like the right time to pick this one up, like fate.

This book changed my life to say the least. Elizabeth Gilbert leaves behind her old life to travel to three different countries in an attempt to find herself. It will make you laugh, cry and want to eat good Italian food. It really resonated with me because it felt like at times she was describing my life. The three countries were complete contradictions to each other and each provided a new insight, not to mention inspirational people.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a change in their life and needs a little help pushing past the fear.

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The Journey In Between

The first book was his hike on the Camino, the first in his thru hiking journey. I was instantly hooked on the thought of hiking this trail, with the casual trail, staying with the locals (camping or otherwise) and the incredible European towns that you traverse on your way to Santiago de Compostela. The feeling of community along the Camino is palpable when you read this book. There are many routes to this final destination but “Fozzie” starts at Le Puy en Velay in France for a total of 1000 miles. He deals with blisters, language barriers and the Camino passport through his hilarious and truthful account of his hike on the famous Camino.

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The Last Englishman

In the second book Fozzie takes us on a journey through the Pacific Crest Trail. This thru hike traverses from the Mexican border up the west coast to the Canadian border. It is 2,659 miles of tough hiking in dense forest. He introduces us to trail angels (former thru hikers that maintain sections of the trail and leave food for passing hikers) and the rugged terrain of the west. After reading this book I felt wholly unprepared for this trail. It sounds ridiculously hard and at some points rather dangerous, especially if you are not churning out the mileage fast enough and get caught in the beginning of the mountain snows.

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Balancing on Blue

The final book in the trilogy was his account of the Appalachian Trail. This 2,190 mile trail runs from Georgia to Maine, ending at Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine. This trail has a lot of elevation changes, bears, and sections of wilderness with no chance to restock (namely the 100 mile wilderness in Maine). What I loved the most about this book were the stories of some of the other hikers he met along the way. It was how it changed their lives that had me hooked.

Overall, I highly recommend this trilogy for the hiking wanderlust in us all!

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The Stranger in the Woods

I received this book as a Christmas gift because I have a love of nature and an insane draw to being self-reliant and living my life on my own terms. This book was an interesting take on living as a hermit. It’s the story of Christ Knight, a guy who at the age of 20 decides to leave his life and disappears into the Maine woods where he lives for the next 27 years. It’s his tail intermixed with historical information on hermits throughout time. This book really struck home with me and the ending broke my heart. It hit me so hard I couldn’t help but cry. No…wait….sob. I’m not going to say anymore because I don’t want to give anything away. But I highly recommend this book for those of you who sometimes dream of just disappearing from society, living off the grid, and being in nature (even just for a hike).

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Wild

I seem to have a theme going….I love the complexity, the mental struggle, and the incredible things you learn about yourself while taking a long walk. Wild is no exception. This book surprised me in many ways with its rawness and absolute truth.

Cheryl came from a dark place and slowly and surely stepped back into the light during her journey through the Pacific Crest Trail. She wasn’t able to do the entire length of the trail but that in no way makes her journey any less meaningful. It in no way dims the incredible trials she overcame, not only on the trail, losing her hiking boots and walking miles in nothing but a cheap pair of sandals. Or losing the majority of her toenails. But the trials she went through rediscovering who she was after the loss of her mother.

It’s moving and real and I loved it. I also love that Reese Witherspoon played her in the feature film (she’s kind of my favorite actress. Another badass woman, just like Cheryl Strayed).

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A Walk In The Woods

This book is hilarious. Though knowing nothing about this book going in, other than he wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail, and coming to realize that he did not finish it and had to jump around.

This, again, is in no way meant to diminish the incredible feat he accomplished, I just went into the book under the wrong impression. Mr. Bryson and his friend Katz decide to hike the AT, with no expectations and to the surprise of their friends and loved ones.

But the journey is about friendship and putting yourself out there to experience something new and exciting, no matter your age or fitness level (Katz). This book was a fun read and the movie entertaining, though they seriously left a lot out. I hate it when they do that.

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The Yellow Envelope

This one was recommended to me by a friend, and I am so glad I picked this one up. Kim has an epiphany while running one day. She is unhappy. She realizes she does not want to live the typical life that society has set out for her. After much convincing her and her husband sell or give away all their belongings and head off to explore the world. They start in Guatamala. It’s not what I expected. It doesn’t tell you a tale of how wonderful long term travel is and how easy it’s going to be, it’s real, with real issues and tough times. There are several times along the way, especially in the beginning, where Kim wishes she could just go back home to her easy life. This book takes you on yet another journey of self discovery and puts it all into perspective.

Then there is the yellow envelope, and the reason for the title. Before departing on this long term travel journey they are gifted a yellow envelope containing a check from their good friends. They are to give the money away during their travels, following 3 simple rules. The money can go to anything or anyone, it can be a big gesture or a small one but they have to give it all away. It’s an incredible tale of courage, love, and kindness.

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Have you read any of these books or have others you think should be on this list? Let me know your thoughts!

 

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