I love books. Maybe even more so than movies, especially when it comes to traveling. I love books that inspire me, whether it is to travel or to make a positive change in my life. Books can provide hours upon hours of enjoyment and escapism, which is why they are perfect for long flights or trips by yourself.
These are my top 5 favorite books for travel, from a mystery novel that I have to solve like a puzzle, to a book that will inspire me to look past my comfort zone, they are all perfect for the long-haul trip.
One of the most exciting non-fiction reads, the story depicts the tale of British explorer Peter Fawcett, who, in 1925, disappeared with his son in the Amazon while looking for an ancient lost city. Over 100 explorers who went in search of the Lost City of Z have disappeared since then. Grann himself made the journey into the Amazon, revealing new evidence about how Fawcett died and showing that Z may have really existed right under his feet.
Another one of my favorite travel writers, Bill Bryson makes me laugh out loud at his writing. The book is filled with humor along with more serious facts about the trail’s sociology, ecology, and a description of the plants, trees, and people around him. Also with him on this adventure is his friend Stephen Katz, this non-fiction is a great read for environmentalists and comedians alike.
Anthony Bourdain is one of my favorite travel writers: he is extremely honest, well-spoken, and funny. The first book by Anthony chronicles his personal experiences in the kitchen, as well as humorous anecdotes and his drug-abuse. For those who are fans of his tv show, Parts Unknown, you will love the book of his coming-up in the food world.
Okay so my opinion about this book is a little biased, but it is an amazing read. Even thought the book is fiction, it is taken from real-life experiences from James Clavell, who was in a Japanese prison camp during World War II. It centers around a man named Peter Marlowe, who is stuck in a prison internment camp in Changi and all the dangers that came with that time period including disease, starvation, and hopelessness. If you were a fan of Unbroken, this book it right up your alley.
In the non-fiction book, Jon Krakauer described the events leading up to his eventual decision to participate in an Everest expedition in May 1996. It also details the author’s experience during the “rogue storm” that hit Mt. Everest and killed eight people. This is the kind of compelling book you will absolutely not be able to put down!!
