Bidish Reading a book and exploring the world inside of it is a journey in itself. There is a lot that a good book can teach us. Its characters, the contemplative journey of the characters, their relationships, it all teaches us different nuisances of life. Adding to that the travel dimension, books have the power to get us off our couches thinking of a dream life and book that next trip we’ve been holding on for too long. I have read some best travel books over the past few years that I would like to share with you if you are looking for some textbook inspiration for your travels.
The Happiness of Pursuit
Chris Guillebeau, who himself took upon the quest of traveling to all the countries in the world, documents the lives of many people who have taken up different quests to find happiness in their lives. In the book, he shares stories of people who purposefully decide to take action to improve their lives. He writes about a 30-something woman who starts to find her adventurous spirit fading, and decides to cook food from all the countries of the world to keep her adventures alive. About a video-game addict who turns his life into a playable video game to level up and be the best version of himself.
The book is full of inspirational stories from many regular people like you and me who start a quest in their lives and, in that pursuit, become the happiest version of themselves.
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
Written by the Master Vagabond, Rolf Potts, this book shares the beauty of traveling, along with techniques one can follow to integrate long-term travel into their lives. He shares his learnings on making the best of any travels, traveling safely, sustainably, and following proper travel etiquette so you are not a burden to the place you’re traveling. The book is an inspiring read and includes sections that can strongly convince you to travel far and long. The practical information he shares makes it an informative read to gain a closer look into what goes behind a traveler’s life.
Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler’s Journey Home
Matt Kepnes, a nomadic traveler and blogger, shares his story in the most honest way possible. I had followed his blog for quite some time and loved the genuineness of his travel advice, so I picked up his travel memoir. I loved the book. He writes about his initial travel excitement, travel exhaustion and homesickness, some interesting accounts of his travels, and his struggle to figure out his own life amidst traveling from one country to another. If you want a genuine representation of a nomadic lifestyle, I highly recommend reading his book.
Into the Wild
You might have probably watched a famous movie based on this book. The author, Jon Krakauer, writes an investigative book on the story of Chris McCandless, discussing his inspiration for traveling, his worldview, and accounts of his past travels. The book is part documentary and part Christopher’s story. If you have watched the movie and really loved it, you should definitely pick up this book. There are many parts of Chris’s story that are not covered in the movie but are descriptively mentioned in the book.
The Alchemist
“The Alchemist” is one of the most brilliantly written books that I have read. The book is about Santiago, a shepherd who sets off on an adventurous journey to find a worldly treasure. Through philosophical insights and poignant storytelling, Paulo Coelho guides the reader on a journey of self-discovery. He beautifully writes about Santiago’s excitements, the challenges he has to overcome, and the mentors who guide him through the journey. This beautifully written book has inspired and continues to inspire millions of people around the world. It is a perfect read for anyone seeking inspiration to follow their own dreams and uncover their own purpose in life.
Two-Year Mountain: A Nepal Journey
This is a brilliant and wrenching travel memoir by Phil Deutschle, who writes about his two-year experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal. He shares the journals he recorded during those days, his struggles to blend into a different culture, and tales from his journey to conquer Pharchamo at 20,580 feet high. He beautifully crafts the book, combining various aspects of his travel, even providing humorous anecdotes in many parts. If you are interested in learning more about the rural lives and culture of Nepal and the experiences of a Peace Corps volunteer, this book could be of interest to you.
Picture credit: The Happiness of Pursuit, Vagabonding, Ten Years a Nomad, Into The Wild, The Alchemist, Two-Year Mountain
Related posts:
