Ok, so not exactly; my ‘travelling’ reading list generally starts with the Lonely Planet, Cicerone, Rough Guide book of the place I am visiting, however, the read list to inspire me, or see me through a flight or long journey is of equal importance. My bookshelves are literally filled with travel books, both practical guides, ‘coffee table’ style ones and memoirs/biographies. Unfortunately we flooded last November, so several of my books were taken by the water which was sad, so I am slowly looking for replacements.
However, life has it that I don’t have lots of time to sit and read, I wish I did. Often my reading takes place when I’m travelling or if I’m hiking, in the evening in my digs. This, therefore means, that the pile beside my bed can double as a table it’s so high. I do have a kindle which I use when I’m flying to keep weight down, but honestly, if I can pack in a physical book, I do. There’s just something about a book.
There are literally millions of travel inspired books out there, from those which are about the history of various places such as books by Peter Hopkirk (The Great Game, Trespassers on the Roof of the World etc) or celebrities (Ben Fogle, Michael Palin, Michael Portillo). I have created a list below of some of my favourite ones that you might want to investigate to inspire your next adventure.
P.S. The link to the book is on the illustration and should take you to some of my favourite independent booksellers (anywhere but Amazon 😉)
The Barefoot Sisters – Southbound – Lucy and Susan Letcher
The Barefoot Sisters – Walking Home – Lucy Letcher
The story of two sisters walking the Appalachian Trail, all 2175 miles from Maine to Georgia, barefoot. I really enjoyed both of these books, they got under my skin with the depth of description and feeling within them. They also resonated as I lived in Connecticut for five years when my kids were tiny and used to dream of walking the AT. However, it just wasn’t feasible. Now, I don’t think I can get a visa for long enough.
Wild – Cheryl Strayed
The memoir, now a major film, of Cheryl Strayed who chose to walk the Pacific Crest Trail to escape her broken marriage, the death of her mother and the demons that surrounded her. Another really down to earth but uplifting book.
The Salt Path – Raynor Winn
The story of Raynor and her husband, Moss, who were made homeless not long after finding out that Moss had a degenerative disease. Walking the whole length of the Southwest Coastal path and living out of their tent. A gentle, but brutal memoir about finding ways to cope with tragedy.
Ethiopia on a Mule – Dervla Murphy
Eight feet in the Andes – Dervla Murphy
On a Shoestring to Coorg – Dervla Murphy
I love all Dervla Murphy books. She was one of the earliest female travel authors I read, so I think I have a great fondness for her for that reason. These three are my favourite covering her adventures with and without her daughter in Ethiopia, Peru and India.
Coasting – Elise Downing
Elise’s book describes her journey circumnavigating the UK not just as a woman, but having never done anything like it before. This is a real ‘anyone can do it’ type of book.
Bedtime stories for grown-ups – Anna McNuff
Llama Drama – Anna McNuff
I love Anna’s writing. She also does some crazy things too, like cycling naked across the Bolivian Salt Flats. Her writing is so charismatic that you can’t help feeling you are along for the journey with her. Llama drama is her journey with her friend across South America to Ushuaia with on their bikes, Bedtime stories are shorter tales of parts of her other adventures. Anna is the founder of ‘Adventure Queens’.
Inca Kola – Matthew Parris
Again, I read this book in my teens, so it holds some real memory. I think it also appealed as I am still very desperate to go to Peru. It’s witty and has some real laugh out loud moments. I have also wanted to taste Inca Kola ever since reading it in about 1996 so had to try in Ecuador but let me tell you…it’s not that nice!
Life done differently – Lisa Jansen
This is on my ‘to read’ pile currently. It focuses on moving away from the societal pressure of conforming to norms and finding enjoyment in travel. She packs up her life and heads off to New Zealand for five years to explore. I’m looking forward to reading this.
The Unlikeliest Backpacker – Kathryn Barnes
I enjoyed the honesty of this one. Kathryn and her husband set off to walk the PCT in the US having never done anything like this before. Obviously they were met with issues and weather, but it’s all written and dealt with in such a British way of smiling and just getting on with it.
Bewildered – Laura Waters
Another one on my ‘to read’ pile. This time the story of trekking in New Zealand. I think there’s a common theme for my want-to-go countries and style of travel!
Woman in the Wilderness – Miriam Lancewood
The story of Miriam and her husband who were nomads travelling primarily through Eastern Europe living in their tent, foraging and hunting for their food and the daily things they have to contend with living in the outdoors. Miriam has featured on Ben Fogle’s New lives in the Wild. She and her husband now live in a house, but still live quite a basic life. I think, for me, the book draws me to the simple way of living that it’s hard to match when you’re tied up in the Western treadmill of life. I think it’s something I aspire to do.
Inspire, The accidental traveller, Up – Ben Fogle
I don’t think there are many people who don’t have some affection for this affable (rather handsome!) chap on a Wednesday evening as he visits someone or other in a remote part of the world for his New Lives in the Wild series. I am going to confess, I adore Ben and his ability to go from posh tottie in Castaway to Everest summiteer, Atlantic rower, Antarctic Pole explorer, Re-wilder and advocate for education, dyslexia and being outside. He’s a readable writer too, very engaging.
As a keen travel reader I have literally hundreds more (currently packed in boxes due to renovations), but am always looking out for more, so leave your best travel story books in the comments below!
