Destination: Isolation - Travel Books to Read in Quarantine to Keep that Bug Alive

Diana Vidovic

Last updated 27 Mar 2020

Travel the world through these books!

So you've just come back from that world adventure, itching for more, only to be put into self-quarantine for 14 days. Well... fear not. Klook has put together a list of the most wander-lust-ey books you can get delivered to your door, so you don't have to put that travel bug to bed.

1. Hippie by Paulo Coelho

Set in 1969 during the Hippie Movement, Paulo, an aspiring writer from Brazil meets Karla, a Dutch woman, at a famous square in Amsterdam. Together, the two embark on a journey to discover the meaning of life, and in the process, meet fellow travellers with the same agenda.

Paulo Coelho’s autobiographical novel takes us through his travels from Brazil to Peru, to Central Asia and all the way to Kathmandu. ‘Hippie’ not only tells a tale of exploration, but also a tale of self discovery.

2. The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

As a conflict zone reporter, Eric Weiner is constantly exposed to areas around the world where chaos and disorder occur. This line of work, plus his admittance to being a grump, has led him to journey across the globe in search for the happiest places in the world.

‘The Geography of Bliss’ is both a travelogue and self-help guide that will leave you laughing out loud. Weiner’s memoir will take you across four continents from Iceland all the way to India to discover not only what happiness is, but as well as where it is.

3. Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson

In the early 70’s Bill Bryson and his sidekick Stephen Katz decided to backpack across Europe with three main objectives: enlightenment, beer, and women. In ‘Neither Here Nor There,’ Bryson hilariously retraces his adventures from seeing the Northern Lights in Hammerfest, Norway to being robbed by gypsies in Florence and beyond. Not only will you bust a gut reading this memoir, but it’ll inspire one to set of to the unknown.

4. Sola Musica: Love Notes from a Festival by Mina Esguerra, Ines Bautista-Yao, Chinggay Labrador, and Marla Mininano

Set in Anilao, Batangas, ‘Sola Musica’ is a compilation of four short stories about a hot summer weekend at a beach festival called Sola Musica. Readers will meet Jack as he navigates his job whilst falling for the lead singer; Georgia, as she defines a relationship; Gem, who faces a crippling problem separating her from her dream; and Natalie, who is left to choose between an opportunity of a lifetime and her family.

‘Sola Musica’ is a coming of age novel that’ll take you beachside, leaving you craving for sun, salt, sea, and love.

5. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Based on Kerouac’s own journey, ‘On The Road’ tells the story of Sal and Dean, two individuals who leave behind a broken past as they travel from New York all the way to Mexico. They take readers on a journey as they hitchhike, meet migrant families, discover small towns and experience America in its raw, and truest form. Though published in 1957, On The Road’s lyrical tale still sings true to this day, inspiring everyone to take adventures into their own hands.

6. Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin

The Silk Road is an ancient trading network between the East and West primarily used during the Han Dynasty of China. This route traces over seven thousand miles dotted with sights, rich culture and traditions, and as well as an astonishing past, which Thubron accounts in ‘Shadow of the Silk Road.’

This novel will take you on a visceral adventure out of China to Central Asia, to the tomb of the Yellow Emperor all the way to Antioch, Turkey. More than an account of his arduous journey, his story will tell tales of ethnicity, language, religion and politics.

7. Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman

‘Tales of a Female Nomad’ tells the story of Rita, who, at the brink of a divorce at 48, left her life in Los Angeles to pursue a dream of making connections all over the world.

After selling all her possessions, Rita makes her way through the world, epitomising a nomadic lifestyle. From one destination to another, readers can follow along as she finds shelter among the sea lions in Galapagos Islands all the way to Borneo, where she spends time with orangutans among other adventures. Ultimately, through her travels, Rita inspires you to rediscover the joy and excitement of life no matter our age.

8. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

We all know Australia is extreme - extreme temperatures, extreme wildlife, and extreme landscapes (and sometimes people), all of which Bryson makes a hilarious account of on his journey around the sunburnt country. ‘In a Sunburned Country’ will have you itching to get out and explore parts of Australia you'd never heard of, or hadn't dreamed of travelling to. What's not to love about your own backyard?

9. Cruising Altitude by Heather Poole

‘Cruising Attitude’ gives you a peek into the lives of flight crew members through the anecdotes of flight attendant Heather Poole. This insider account will have you reeling at the craziest passenger stories, invested in the flight crew drama, and ‘ooh-ing’ at a love story that began at 35,000 feet.

10. Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux gives readers a taste of an African adventure by travelling cross-country by rattletrap buses, cattle trucks, dugout canoes, and an armed convoy among others. Perfect for those who prefer to travel with a little grit, Theroux tells in detail the discomfort, uncertainty and life-threatening situations he encountered as he travelled from Cairo to Cape Town. But more importantly, ‘Dark Star Safari’ accounts the unassuming beauty of Africa - through its people and history.

11. Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America

Now it's Bills turn to talk about America - or should we say, "A-merrrrr-ri-ca". He returns to the land of his childhood after ten years in the UK. Driving across 38 southern states, Bryson passes through a foreign land fuelled by gas stations, motels and hamburger joints he vaguely remembers. Hilarious at times, saddening at others, The Lost Continent is a deep, hard look into what makes this brilliant continent tick (or not, at times).

12. The Alchemist

Maybe not so much a travel-specific book, but a "find your soul" novel, The Alchemist is a classic we couldn't leave off this list. The protaganist, a shepherd, travels from Spain to Egypt via Morocco in search of a treasure. He meets a gypsy, a glass-maker, and an alchemist along the route and discovers a treasure within himself that encourages everyone to follow their dreams. Cliche as it may sound, it will leave you with tingles.

Because, "... when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it" - and that want, is travel.

Off the couch finally and ready to start adventuring? Check out our favourites below.