The 10 Best Travel Books So Far...

I know I'm not alone when I say how much I miss the opportunity to jump onto a plane to travel somewhere, anywhere.

Although our skies and oceans were in much need of a break from these super polluters, I do miss the allure of someplace new. I miss the sounds, the sight and smells of a different culture, city or country.

I miss spending the first day in a novice place just walking around the neighbourhood to get my bearings. These walks gave me a sense of familiarity, where I’m able to get a true sense of the place I’m visiting.

I love exploring new neighbourhoods, and I miss this greatly!

So what do we do when we can’t travel in person? We travel literarily, literally!

Here’s a list of some of my absolute favourite books that will take you on crazy adventures while stuck in the confines of your home.

1. Tracks

by Robyn Davidson

This book exceeded my expectations by far. The author takes you on a 1700- mile journey across the Australian Desert. She treks across the desert with only herself, four camels and her beloved dog. She shares with us her insights and her fears. She shares her passion, knowledge and history of the hardships the aborigines of Australia endure.

Her travel literary is genius to the point where I almost felt the thirst of the desert and the unbearable sun’s rays beating on me. I was sad when the book ended, I wanted more!

Her book was turned into a movie, and I highly recommend this, if you can find it!

2. Wild

by Cheryl Strayed

It isn’t coincidental that these two books are at the top of the list. I loved this one so much that I read it twice. Cheryl Strayed truly has a way of capturing you with her every word. She is another solo explorer, traversing the Pacific Crest Trail or (PCT) on foot with a backpack named Monster from Mexico to Canada. She meets interesting people along the way and her journey is nothing short of absolutely inspiring.

I would love to follow in her footsteps, however, I would be far too afraid to hike the PCT alone! Her book was also made into a movie starring Reese Whitherspoon and is very well done.

Read the book, watch the movie, or do both! You will not be disappointed.

3. The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind — and Almost Found Myself — on the Pacific Crest Trail

by Dan White

I’m not particularly fond of the author's character, but he’s honest at least. He and his partner also decided to take a trek along the Pacific Crest Trail. They run into many interesting problems along the way, and he captures the audience with descriptive elements all throughout. I enjoyed his travelling and his writing, but I thought he could have been nicer to his travel partner. There... I said it out loud, I’ve been keeping that secret for a while now!

All in all, though it’s a good read if you feel like going on a 6-month hike!

4. Facing the Congo: A Modern-Day Journey into the Heart of Darkness

by Jeffrey Tayler

I contemplated greatly with this one. It’s a little older, and may not be politically correct. In fact, I honestly feel like author, Jeffrey Tayler, exploited the locals by hiring them to take him on such a dangerous journey.

He had a dream of travelling along the Congo River in a small wooden boat. He makes his dream a reality with his hired guide.

Although his descriptive nature of the Congo is incredible, I could literally feel the heat of this African country, but he fell a little short I believe on humanity.

But the man can clearly write, and the book has 5-star reviews.

5. Eat Pray Love

by Elizabeth Gilbert

I know, chances are you’ve already read it, and if you haven’t then there’s probably a reason!

I included this book because how could I not? She travels alone to Italy, India and Indonesia, and the reader is taken along with her on her journey from old loves to new loves and everything in between.

It’s interesting though, I couldn’t stand the book at the beginning, but loved it by the end. Liz Gilbert is brutally honest and natural in her writing.

6. The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

Eloquently written, this is definitely a lovely and easy read. It’s a spiritual story of sorts when a young shepherd boy travels from Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a buried treasure. This is definitely a book I’m glad to have read and it changed me just a little.

I highly recommend taking a chance on this book.

7. Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam

by Andrew X. Pham

Hands down one of my favourite books of all time. I love this author! His journey is fun, hilarious, yet serious, all bundled into one book. He lives in California and returns to Vietnam, his home country, to travel through this beautiful land on a bike. If you want to read just one travel journal during the pandemic, consider this one. You’ll develop a fondness for the author as I did as he goes back to another world, in both memory, and reality.

I honestly can`t tell you how much I loved this book...

8. Travelers’ Tales-A Woman’s World-True Stories of Life on the Road

by Multiple Authors-Edited by Marybeth Bond

This is a collection of short stories of women’s travel tales. I love this book and still working on it. You may not want to read it from beginning to end without taking a break as it has many stories. I’ve briefly put the book down to read the full-length novel I’m working on now.

But make no mistake, this is a great book!

It has stories of small and large, meaningful journeys made by everyday women. I looked forward to the end of the day so I could be absorbed in yet another short story. It’s a lovely and warm read, although quite old, and may be difficult to find now.

9. Arabia-A Journey Through the Heart of the Middle East

by Levison Wood

This is the book I’m currently reading by one of travel literature’s greatest authors; he travels along the Arabian Peninsula on a harrowing 5000-mile journey through 13 countries.

So far I am loving the book. It’s captivating, descriptive and educational. I’ve put the book down several times to google the places he’s referenced. I feel as though I’m on the voyage with him. And I'm sure that considering the author's reputation it’ll continue to be an excellent read!

10. Holy Cow-An Indian Adventure

by Sarah Macdonald

Here’s another book I contemplated leaving out, however the descriptive nature by author Sarah Macdonald is incredible. Warning though, she starts off positively loathing India due to unpleasant previous experiences, and she makes no effort to hide the fact.

She joins her husband who travels to India for work, and she shares with us all the ups and downs of life in India. The colours and sights were so descriptive that I almost felt a sensory overload!

She eventually falls in love with the country and the people.

It was a good book, I just can’t remember exactly why it wasn’t a great book. However, nonetheless, it takes you on an insane roller-coaster ride through beautiful India where you can fall in love with the culture and people. It’s exotic and definitely not boring.

I hope some of these books will offer you an escape from the confines of your home where you can travel to your heart's content.

Reading has made all the difference in the world for me. And travel stories are without a doubt one of my favourite ways to spend long periods of time at home.

Why not make a hot tea, coffee or a latte, curl up and read away from the problems of today!

Happy literary travels!