If there was ever a time to read travel books, it would be now. Who doesn’t love curling up with a page-turner and a hot cuppa tea? But, I’d be lying if I told you I read all the time; however, given the current lockdown situation, reading has become one of my favourite ways to pass the time in isolation. Especially because a travel book can take me to faraway places from the safety of my home.
Light a candle, sit in the bath or put on the fireplace and you’ll have yourself the coziest iso-day. All the travel books I’ve listed are about personal journeys, far away destinations, or helped me understand a country better by learning about their dark history.
Best Travel Books by Genre
To help satisfy your reading needs, I have broken down this list by book genre. Secondly, in each book description, I’ve put in bold where the book takes place, in case you are dreaming of a certain destination or want to learn what it is like in a particular part of the world. And lastly, I have included my personal favourite from each genre, in case you want to narrow down this list. Just look for Amber’s Pick.
Happy reading, my friends!
Romance Travel Books
Amber’s Pick: Crazy Rich Asians – By: Kevin Kwan
Nick has invited his Chinese-American girlfriend, Rachel Chu, to come to Singapore, to meet his family and attend his best friend’s wedding. Among many problems, he hasn’t told his family about Rachel, and he hasn’t told Rachel he is from one of the richest families in Singapore. Expect jet-setting, five-star hotels, high fashion and lots of scandals. It’s no wonder this novel has now been made into a movie.
Perfect for: Anyone who loves gossip chick-lit. Grab this for your next hot holiday pool-side read.
One Day – By David Nicholls
Set in Edinburg, Scotland, this book tells the story of a Scottish girl and boy, through a series of chapters that fall on the exact same day, July 15th, for 20 years of their lives. This book will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions as you see their relationship evolve over the years. This book has now been made into a motion picture with Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.
Perfect for: Romantics and those that enjoy British humour.
What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding: a Memoir – By: Kristin Newman
Do you ever feel like all your friends are having babies, and you are more excited about planning your next holiday? Well, this book is for you. A hilarious tale of a single-girl travelling the world and having some hot flings along the way.
Perfect for: Single ladies or any females considering embarking on a big solo-trip.
“How Not To Travel The World” Adventures of a Disaster-Prone Backpacker – By: Lauren Juliff
After hitting rock bottom, Lauren sets off to backpack around the world, in the hopes, it will solve all her problems, but instead, she comes across every obstacle imaginable. A funny and yet charming story that all travellers can relate to.
Perfect for: Anyone who struggles with anxiety, eating disorders, or has just had a break-up. This book is also great for someone planning their first big trip across the world.
Foodie Travel Books
Amber’s Pick: Eat Pray Love – By: Elizabeth Gilbert
A true story about middle-aged Liz who leaves her job, life and marriage in New York to travel to Italy – to eat, India – to pray, and Bali – to fall in love. The book shares all the wonderful experiences she has on her travels, the lessons she learns and the people she meets along the way. This classic has now been into a big motion picture with Julia Roberts, but try not to watch it until after you read the book!
Perfect for: Anyone who has just had a break-up and needs to be inspired!
Paris, My Sweet – By: Amy Thomas
Sweet-toothed, Amy moves her life from New York to work for high-fashion Louis Vuitton in Paris. Read how she navigates moving to a new city and all the hilarious food metaphors she makes along the way. A quick and easy read that will leave you drooling and wanting to pack up all your things to move to Paris.
Perfect for: all my foodies out there and anyone who is dreaming of living abroad! If you’ve ever fantasized about moving your life to Paris, this book is for you!
Travel or Personal Journey
Amber’s Pick: A House In The Sky – By: Amanda Lindhout
A memoir, written by Amanda Lindhout, a Canadian author, that will leave you on the edge of your seat. After her first big trip to South America, Amanda finds a job as a war-zone journalist to keep herself travelling the world. Eventually, she heads to Somalia to cover a story but gets captured and held for ransom for 460 horrific days. I’m not lying when I say that this story still keeps me up at night!
Perfect for: Any Canadian females, travel journalists, and the thrill-seeking travellers out there!
The Alchemist – By: Paulo Coelho
The travel book I’m currently reading, and am really loving. It’s about the journey of a young shepherd boy in Spain, who dreams of travelling the world and finding lost treasure. Originally written in 1988, this book continues to be a best-seller across the world, because of its timeless wisdom to follow your heart.
Perfect for: Anyone open to a journey in self-development.
Shantaram – By: Gregory David Roberts
A convicted Australian bank robber and drug addict escapes from prison and flees to Bombay, India.
Perfect for: Anyone interested in travelling to India
Next Year in Havana – By: Chanel Cleeton
After Marisol’s grandmother dies, she travels back to Havana, Cuba to spread her grandmother’s ashes and learn more about her family history. The book runs parallel stories of Marisol in the present day, and Elise, her grandmother, in the late-1950s. Although I haven’t personally read this one yet, it’s been recommended to me many times, and I’ve seen raving reviews. This book is the next one on my reading list!
Perfect for: Anyone who likes historical fiction and romance novels.
Tracks – By: Robyn Davidson
Set in Outback of Australia, Robyn sets off on a dangerous journey from Alice Springs to Western Australia. Robyn needs to learn how to tame wild camels to travel with them for 1,700-miles, all on her own. But will she survive obstacles like the blazing heat, lack of water, and a pesky journalist who’s covering her story for National Geographic?
Perfect for: Any fiercely independent ladies out there. A slower read but would be great for camping or listen on Audible for your next road trip.
Harry Potter Series – By: J.K Rowling
I doubt this book series needs any further explanation, as they are now one of the most famous book series in the world. But in case they do, these books are about a young orphan boy in England, who finds out he is a wizard. Harry Potter sets off to Hogwarts in the Wizarding World where he and his new friends fight against the evilest wizard of all, Voldemort.
Perfect for: Anyone who loves fantasy and getting lost into a magical world of wizardry.
Wild – By: Cheryl Strayed
After her mother’s death, Cheryl impulsively takes off to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from California to Washington State, all alone. A personal story about a woman’s journey to heal.
Perfect for: Anyone who loves adventure and being in the great outdoors. Be sure to take this one camping!
War & History
Amber’s Pick: The Tattooist of Auschwitz – By: Heather Morris
Based on the true story of a Jewish man who falls in love with another prisoner while being held captive in the Auschwitz Nazi Camp. This book was such a page-turner and has become one of my favourites! I happened to read this book when we were in Krakow, Poland and visited Auschwitz, and it really brought to life what happened in these camps. Although this book covers some dark and sad days in history, I think it’s an amazing story and one that everyone should read.
Perfect for: History buffs who enjoy learning about WWII and reading true stories. I especially recommend this to anyone planning to visit Eastern Europe or any of the concentration camps.
First They Killed My Father – By: Loung Ung
Based in Cambodia, this is a true story is about Loung’s experience as a young child during the Khmer Rouge genocide era. Five-year-old Loung forced from her home, trained as a child soldier, while her siblings are sent to labour camps. This book will give you chills. It has also been made into a Netflix movie.
Perfect for: Anyone who’s planning to go to South East Asia in the future. The real history and events in this book horrified me, as I never had learned about this recent history in school.
I hope you found some new travel books to read in this post. Have I missed any of your favourites? Please be sure to share them in the comments below. I am always looking for some new recommendations.
Check Out Hayley on Holiday
For more amazing book recommendations, be sure to check out the blog, ‘Hayley on Holiday’. She’s an avid reader and traveller, like me, and her goal is to complete 50 books by the end of this year. Check out her blog with some great contemporary romance recommendations or escape to Australia with her favourite Australian novels. Don’t forget to send her your book recommendations to help her meet her 2020 reading goal.
RELATED POSTS YOU WILL LOVE
Lastly, if you loved this post make sure to read more on A Blissful Wanderer. Here are a couple of posts I know you will enjoy:
Virtually Travel the World at Home
Best Travel Movies and Shows to Inspire Your Wanderlust
My Favourite Books in 2018 & Must-read list for 2019
Why I Quit My Dream Job to Travel
PIN ME: Best Travel Books
If you were inspired by this post, please make sure to share it with your friends & family and pin it for later, so you can refer back to it when you need a good book to read.
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