Travel the world through these books!
Who says you have to leave your couch to travel the world? Sometimes, you can experience swimming with the dolphins in Hawaii or hiking up Machu Picchu all just by flipping through the pages of a book.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next getaway, or simply want to daydream, here are 10 books that’ll surely take you on an adventure around the world:
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 travelers 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 readers 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 readers 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 as he falls 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 readers 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 readers 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, epitomizing 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 readers to rediscover the joy and excitement of life no matter our age.
8. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Australia is known for its extremes - extreme temperatures, extreme wildlife, and extremely beautiful landscapes and people, all of which Bryson makes a hilarious account of on his journey down under. In ‘In a Sunburned Country,’ readers get the fortunate opportunity to have Bill Bryson tour them through the best of Australia and beyond. By the end of the book, you’ll find booking a flight down under.
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 readers 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.
