The right book can make your living room a launching pad for remarkable adventures, fueling wanderlust that inspires unforgettable travel. The best wanderlust travel books are both rich in story and solid in advice, providing readers with escapism and doable travel inspiration.
These wanderlust reads are a mix of fiction and nonfiction, old and new, beach reads and classics, but what they all have in common is that they take you somewhere. From inspiring travel memoirs of exploration in Latin America to quiz books that combine geography and politics, these latest publications are guaranteed to spark your wanderlust.
Classic Nonfiction Adventures That Never Get Old
Bill Bryson’s “In a Sunburned Country” is a laugh-out-loud funny, fact-filled, and action-filled grand tour of Australia that is funny and culturally observant. Bryson’s eye for observation is a wise chronicler of this beautiful continent as he narrates its intriguing history and has readers giggling at his misadventures.
“A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson is the author’s account of his attempt at hiking the Appalachian Trail, but it is not a laugh-out-loud backpacking memoir. Bryson’s keen eye for detail makes him a sharp observer of this beautiful but fragile trail, and as he describes its interesting history, he mounts a cogent case for the preservation of America’s remaining large wilderness.
Suggested trip combination: Tackle a section of the Appalachian Trail alone, starting with day hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park or planning a multi-day backpack through Virginia’s lovely sections.
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Modern Memoirs That Redefine Travel
“Nowhere for Very Long” is the deeply felt, finely crafted story of discovery, of the world outside and the soul within. Nowhere for Very Long is the true story of one woman learning and unlearning, from back roads to breakdowns, from married to single, and finally, from lost to found to lost.
This modern classic captures the essence of van life culture while exploring deeper themes of self-transformation. Recommended trip pair: Create your own van life road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway, camping in state parks and exploring small coastal towns from California to Oregon.
“We Came, We Saw, We Left” by Charles Wheelan chronicles nine months on six continents with three teens on a tight budget. Located in a pre-COVID past, the Wheelans decided to find out what would be the consequences of leaving behind work, school, and even the family dogs to explore the globe. Suggested trip pairing: Organize a family gap year vacation traveling to multiple continents with a focus on learning opportunities and cultural immersion rather than luxurious accommodations.
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Building Your Personal Travel Library
Travel book recommendations work best when they are personalized to your area of interest and personal travel style, whether you travel humorously, adventurously, culturally, or photographically. These excellent travel books will set you aglow with wanderlust and provide practical advice for arranging your own travels.
Start stocking your travel bookshelves with books that match your destination dreams and your travel style. Ready to leave literature to choose your next adventure? Pick one book from the list below and book a trip based on its pages and perspectives.
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