The Best Books That Will Change the Way You Will See the World
All photos in collage came from Amazon.
1. Eat, Pray, Love
"Eat, Pray, Love" is a memoir every traveler should read, especially if you're planning a solo trip. Follow along on author Elizabeth Gilbert's journey as she discovers the world, and herself, while traveling through Italy, India, and Bali. Trust us, this one may spark some tears, but also so much inspiration.
2. The Alchemist
One of the best travel books for any dreamer, this bestseller is an allegorical novel filled with magic and wisdom that will help you to listen to your heart and follow your dreams. The story follows Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy in search of treasure. What he finds, however, is none other than himself.
3. Wild
Another must-read for solo travelers, "Wild" follows author Cheryl Strayed's journey hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, beginning in the Mojave Desert and continuing through California, Oregon, and Washington state, with no prior hiking experience. If you have been itching to explore the West Coast, pick up this book today!
4. Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road
The drive to seek out the unknown is what’s behind many people’s urge to travel. But where do you go when you feel that every place on earth has already been visited? Is there any place left to discover? Kate Harris contemplates these questions, and more, in her memoir about a year spent cycling the Silk Road. Weaving adventure and philosophy with the history of science, this travelogue celebrates humans' connection to the natural world.
5. A Month in Siena
If you are dreaming of traveling to Italy, Hisham Matar's memoir about Siena is a must-read. His month-long stay in the Tuscan city focuses on art, specifically works from the Sienese School of Painting, and follows the relationship between the author, the city, and the art that surrounds and inspires him..
6. How to Be a Family
In this refreshingly relatable memoir, Slate editor Dan Kois sets out with his family on a journey around the world to change their lives together. Over a year the family lives in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, and a small town in Kansas. The goal? To get out of their rut of busyness and distractedness and to see how other families live outside the East Coast parenting bubble.
7. In a Sunburned Country
Bill Bryson is known for his thought-provoking nonfiction, and this travelogue about Australia is no exception. Follow Bryson as he explores Australia's culture, people, landscapes, wildlife, and more in this informative and entertaining book.
8. A Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost
Rachel Friedman’s coming-of-age memoir reminds us to live for the moment. In an effort to prolong “adulting”, the straight-laced good girl surprises everyone when she books a trip to Ireland on a whim. Encouraged by an adventurous Australian, she sets out on a yearlong odyssey that takes her to three continents, fills her life with newfound friends, and gives birth to a previously unrealized passion for adventure.
9. Less
A 2018 Pulitzer Prize winner, "Less" follows Arthur Less on a journey around the world, from Paris to Berlin; a Moroccan ski chalet to a Christian Retreat Center in southern India. This satirical novel examines the role of the American traveler abroad, making it the perfect read for reflection before your next big trip.
10. Vagabonding
There’s nothing like vagabonding: taking time off from your normal life—from six weeks to four months to two years—to discover and experience the world on your own terms. In this one-of-a-kind handbook, veteran travel writer Rolf Potts explains how anyone armed with an independent spirit can achieve the dream of extended overseas travel.
If any of these pique your interest or your book club recently finished one that makes your mind wander to new and amazing territories, let @theedgemag know!