When it comes to books, it’s the vast distances they take our imaginations and the distances they motivate us to hike, drive and fly. And occasionally, reading a travel book can have the same transforming power as taking the actual trip. Are you prepared for a reading list that will alter the way you travel? Be prepared to experience severe wanderlust as we tell you the best books to keep you company while traveling.
“The Rings of Saturn” by W.G Sebald
James Kay, the website editor for Lonely Planet, made an ambiguous choice for the finest travel book when asked to provide a recommendation.
“Travelog? Memoir? Novel? The description of a walking tour in the English county of Suffolk by W.G. Sebald defies classification. Even though the narrator travels only a few miles along the coast, his mental journey seems much longer. In this book, Kay combines thoughts on topics like the history of herring fishing, colonialism in the Congo, and the reign of a Chinese empress with fascinating descriptions of the locations and people he visits. “‘The Rings of Saturn’ has a philosophy for tourists who want to delve deeper into a place: go slowly, look for tales, and try to be a more attentive explorer. Bring a copy of this one-off with you, and remember to keep your curiosity alive at all times. You never know where it might take you.
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
You know how most of us are in the pursuit of discovering some of the most underrated places or the most underrated cuisines of the places we go to? But what if you were just on a quest to find yourself? Well, Coelho does that to you.
On their journeys, most people are looking for something, whether it’s the most incredible archaeological sites or the best dinner. However, while you’re focused on looking outside of yourself, you frequently find a part of yourself that you were unaware of. In “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, that exact thing happens.
The captivating tale of an Andalusian shepherd who desires to journey in pursuit of treasure is told in “The Alchemist.” But instead, he discovers himself through his exploits. Coelho offers us the voyage that matters—a journey of lessons and endearing tales of snakes, love, dunes, and alchemy,
“Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to The World of Food and the People Who Cook” by Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain holds a particular place in the hearts of all travelers. It’s difficult to determine which aspect of his narrative has had the most impact, though, between his best-selling books and award-winning TV series.
In this book, Tony is a little older, a little more worn-out, and most importantly, a little wiser and repentant for his steadfast stands from the past. The years spent traveling have softened Anthony Bourdain’s soul in this memoir, but he is still the same Anthony Bourdain with the same beliefs about what constitutes superb food. Anthony Bourdain was altered by travel. It taught him the value of venturing outside your comfort zone as a route to progress. It opened his eyes to a world that was kind and forgiving, to a world of people who were less fortunate than him but happier than he could ever be.
“Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road,” by Kate Harris
The urge to travel is often motivated by the desire to explore the uncharted. But where do you go if you believe that millions of people have already gone there before you? Is there still anywhere to explore? In her account of a year she spent cycling the Silk Road, Kate Harris muses on these and other issues.
This book was unlike any other travelog we have ever read; it was a reflection on distant locations that are incredibly under-reported, history, and borders. The need to travel, not to snap the ideal Instagram photo or see all the major attractions, but rather to experience the wild and uncomfortable, is perfectly captured by Harris.
“The Beach” by Alex Garland
Who among us hasn’t daydreamed about that fictitious island with its turquoise waves and golden sunlight? But fantasies never live up to aspirations, as “The Beach” poignantly illustrates.
The definition of paradise has changed as a result of the book. Garland paints a vision of paradise that tricks the reader into believing that the protagonists have genuinely discovered Paradise on earth before hammering home reality with betrayal, deadly secrets, and violent conflict.
We learned from the book that paradise does not exist. It is pointless to search for this nirvana. The reality of the locals’ daily lives, on the other hand, is considerably more interesting to study and has beauty.
There is absolutely no way that the success of a book can be fathomed by the number of accolades it has been awarded. A book becomes successful based on the number of hearts they have touched, the number of places they have transported people to and the emotions they have made readers feel.
Happy Reading folks!
Paul P, Senior Editor and Travel Planner at HolidayKeepers, brings over 10 years of experience from New York. He expertly combines storytelling with extensive knowledge in travel and hospitality. Known for turning vibrant travel experiences into engaging articles, Paul covers everything from hidden gems to the latest in vacation rentals, resonating with adventurers and leisure-seekers alike.
