15 books to read while traveling
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If there’s one thing I’m constantly googling it’s “what to read on vacation” or “best travel books”.
Finally, I’ve listened/read enough of them that I wanted to put a list together in case you’re googling something similar.
For me what makes a great travel book isn’t necessarily that it’s about travel. I love a great story that takes me to another place that I might not know much about. Books are very similar to travel in my mind. They transport you (not physically) to a new place and teach you something.
These books are my absolute favorites that I’ve devoured on recent trips. For me, I mostly listen to them on Audible because I gotta save space in my carry on for all my CRAP. But no matter how you consume them (Audio, Kindle, OG old fashioned) I hope you enjoy this list.
HERE ARE MY TOP TEN BOOKS TO READ WHILE TRAVELING
EAT PRAY LOVE
I know I know, you’re rolling your eyes right now. But truly hear me out. The effect this book has had on our culture is immeasurable - both positive and negative. One can argue it inspired countless solo female travelers to book a plane ticket and get out and see the world. Another could argue the book has caused cities mentioned to see a massive spike in tourists which adds to the growing problem of over tourism in parts of the world.
I’m not here to debunk any of those thoughts. Instead, I’m here to say that this book sparked a love for travel in me, even if I didn’t realize it at the time. I read Eat Pray Love as a high schooler while I was working a summer job as a hostess for a fancy restaurant. I used to read books secretly while the restaurant was dead and “Eat Pray Love” was one of my FAVORITE secret reads. For someone who didn’t leave the country until she was 18, this book opened up a world of ideas and possibilities for me.
THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10
I am constantly looking for a great suspenseful book to keep me on the edge of my seat while I’m en route to my next destination. The Woman in Cabin 10 is EXACTLY the mystery you’re looking for on your next vacay.
The story centers around a travel writer who’s tasked with writing about her week on a luxury cruise. But this dream assignment takes a deadly turn and when the writer witnesses a woman being thrown overboard. The issue, all passengers remain accounted for.
The book is one of those insane page-turners that you can’t finish fast enough because you just absolutely HAVE to know what happened.
THE CALIPH’S HOUSE
I first learned about Tahir Shah at Travel Con. He was the weekend’s keynote speaker and absolutely KILLED it on stage. I’ll be honest, I had never heard of him and was wondering who the heck this person was who was closing out an epic weekend. He got up on stage and just started telling the most compelling, hilarious, insightful and enchanting stories that I walked out of the room a raving fan.
The Caliph’s House is one of many of his books but it has to be my favorite. It’s a true story about the time when Tahir uprooted his family from London to move to a crumbling mansion in a shantytown in Morocco. Oh, and the house was haunted... The book tells the story of Shah’s mansion renovation, the hilarious problems that ensue and the mystery and joys of everyday life.
BECOMING
This book has NOTHING to do with travel. But I did read it while I was in India and I have to say it’s a great book if you want your faith in humanity restored. I’m a MASSIVE Michelle Obama fan and I’ve just been yearning for some common decency these days and this book was just the ticket.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be the first lady, how to navigate being a household name and just get the juicy scoop about the Obamas, you gotta read this book!
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Now, this is a classic! And if you saw the movie then you know that as good as it was, the book is even better. The book, by Agatha Christie centers on the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot who finds himself trying to solve a murder mystery that takes place on the luxurious Orient Express.
What makes this a perfect book for travel is that it is both equal parts mystery and adventure. Plus, the Orient Express is a real train that you can still travel on to this day (for a pretty penny lol). So the story is also responsible for your over the top expectations on what train travel is like...
SHANTARAM
I HIGHLY suggest getting this book on Audible or on your Kindle. Because traveling with a 936 page book is not something that you want to do LOL. But if you love India and are looking for a book to just suck you in and occupy your time for the next 3 trips you take (depending on how fast of a reader/listener you are) this book should do the trick.
The book is about an Australian bank robber who escapes from prison and flees to India. And get this, it’s based on the author’s real-life experiences (which makes this book at the cooler). I’ll admit at the time of me writing this, I have not finished the book, but it is the one I’m currently reading. The intricate and thoughtful description of this country I hold dear in my heart had me hooked from the start.
From the slums of Bombay to a leper colony and cat-sized rats - nothing is off-limits in this book and that’s what makes it incredible.
VAGABONDING
I love this book because it’s quite literally a road map to living your life on your own terms and how exactly you can travel the world long term if you choose to. I found this book from a recommendation on Nomadic Matt’s blog (he’s a legend check him out). It's a book that shows you the benefits of long term travel and gives you practical information on how to make it happen.
I’ll be quite honest, the idea of vagabonding has always interested me. But I’m a girl who loves to pack in 2 (sometimes 3) suitcases for 2 weeks and has a sh*t ton of makeup and skincare products I like to travel with. So the idea of traveling light and for a long period of time was never something I thought I was able to do. This book helped to change my mindset. And it’s now a BIG goal of mine to take a LONGGGGG trip with very little with me.
WHEN WOMEN RULED THE WORLD
Even since I was little, I’ve been OBSESSED with Egypt. From the pyramids to Cleopatra and all the mysteries surrounding that ancient civilization. I LOVE IT! So when I stumbled across this book on Audible, I needed to know more.
The author, Kara Cooney, is a celebrated Egyptologist (coolest career EVER) and explores the lives of six female pharos in relation to our own views on women in power today. It’s insightful, juicy and really delves into the idea of why we seldom allow women to rule.
IN A SUNBURNED COUNTRY
Bill Bryson is the unofficial godfather of the great travel novel. Ask any traveler about their favorite travel book and most often you’ll hear one of Bryson’s novels brought up. So I had to see for myself what the fuss was all about. Don’t murder me for saying this, but Australia has never been high on my travel list. I have no idea why but it just isn’t up there. This book changed my tune.
The book is FILLED with facts and peppered with humor and adventure in a country that also doubles as a continent. Essentially, the book chronicles Bryson’s journey through Australia. But it’s the off the beaten path part of the novel that really sucks you in. After reading this book it’s not hard to understand why Australians are some of the happiest and friendliest people on the planet. They’re living in bliss. And now Australia is higher on my list.
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LULULEMONS
Let’s get one thing straight. This is not a travel book. This is just a good book to read on the beach, possibly on your honeymoon or on a trip with your gal pals. It’s fun, funny and packed with juicy drama that we loved from Lauren Weisberger (author of the Devil Wears Prada).
This book takes place years after Emily Charlton left Miranda Priestly’s office. Now she’s working in Hollywood as an image consultant for the stars. But things are going south with her clients and she’s in need of a big break. The book is filled with Greenwich elitism, funny moments that only happen to crazy workaholics and the over the top world that Weisberger is SO GOOD at dreaming up!
THE GEOGRAPHY OF BLISS
This is a book that’s a bit hard to define but I love it nonetheless. It chronicles a foreign corespondent’s journey to visit the happiest places in the world. Eric Weiner is a witty writer and is tackling a pretty meaty subject.
From the Netherlands and India to Thailand and Bhutan, Weiner wanders his way through some of my personal favorite places. Each country offers him a different insight. And in the end, the happiest place in the world??? You’ll have to read to find out!
THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ
This was quite possibly one of the best books I’ve read in a while. While it’s certainly a serious subject and had me so angry and upset about the horrors these poor people endured, it’s an essential read. I feel that it makes for a great travel book because it’s eye-opening and a story about resilience and unimaginable strength.
Travel is something EVERY human should experience. Mainly because it teaches you about people who are different than you. When we learn about other cultures, races, religions, we learn empathy and compassion. And I think that’s a lesson more people need to learn. And also what will ensure things like what happened to the characters in this book never happen to ANY humans again.
CRAZY RICH ASIANS
This book will have you booking a flight to Singapore faster than you can say CHANEL! I think this entire series is just BEYOND entertaining. And while the incredibly flashy and opulent lifestyle portrayed in the novel is what initially draws you in, I think you learn a great deal about another culture at the same time.
New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, and what seems like a laid back visit suddenly becomes something out of a Hollywood movie. Rachel soon discovers her boyfriend has been hiding the fact that his family is CRAZY rich. And now that she’s in his hometown, with all his family’s eyes on her, her quiet vacation suddenly turns into an obstacle course.
SOMETHING IN THE WATER
If you’re in the mood for a chilling, thrilling, page-turning mystery about one couple's discovery on their honeymoon in paradise, this is your book. It’s a book that showcases how one choice could unravel the lives of two seemingly normal people.
If you liked the Woman in Cabin 10, Into the Water or The Couple Next Door, you’ll love this book!
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HAPPY READING FRIENDS!
What are some of your favorite books to read while traveling?! Tell me in the comments or shoot me a DM on insta! Would love to add more to my list!
And if you’re looking for more travel tips and lists you might like these:
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ADVENTURE AWAITS!
