Comments on: Top 25 Books: Written Inspirations For Your Journey

By: London Vacation Rentals

London Vacation Rentals — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:15:21 +0000

Hey Craig and Linda! I would encourage these books to become part of a library regardless of travel status. A number of these books will actually inspire and set the scene for some reluctant travelers.

The Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy remains a firm favorite of mine. I must say, without divulging my age, that I have this wonderful storyline on cassette tape. This article has reminded me that I really must attempt to convert to CD. Great article!

By: Craig and Linda

Craig and Linda — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:48:33 +0000

So exciting to see this list continue to grow. Some old favourites here and lots of new stuff too. Like Nate, I’m a big fan of Terry Pratchett — he’s humorous, humanistic and playful. I like those traits in a writer (and a travelling companion). (Craig)

By: nate maingard

nate maingard — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:30:37 +0000

Some very lovely books on this list!
i would personally add Terry Pratchett’s Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic, just for fun:)
Also, Tom Robbins books, specifically Even Cowgirls Get The Blues and Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates
Much love, this site is AWESOME!

By: Carmen

Carmen — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:09:39 +0000

Fun post!
I would add: Tales of a Female Nomad – a great book about a woman who sets out to nomad the world after her divorce
and
Life is So Good – the biography of a 103 year old African American man who learned to read in his 90s

By: T-roy

T-roy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:10:42 +0000

I did an article like this on my blog a while back. I listed 5 books to read while traveling to inspire you to travel more. All are non-fiction, fast reading and some are down right funny as hell. You can see the post I did on them off the link below. I need to update this post with another 5 more books, I found some other great ones as well. For me though I LOVE non-fiction and when it comes to travel, an expedition or journey… it just makes it all the better.

All books listed are non-fiction and are strictly about travel/exploring
http://www.foggodyssey.com/2009/07/05/real-travel-books-worth-reading/

By: Stephanie Lee

Stephanie Lee — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:51:03 +0000

@Sara: I read Dorian Gray while I was in Paris, which inspired me to visit the Pere Lachaise cemetery to visit Oscar’s grave. Creepily enough, the grave was covered in lipstick kisses.

By: curiousjessica

curiousjessica — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:59:14 +0000

Some of these books bring back fond memories…thanks for the great post!

By: Stuart

Stuart — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:33:07 +0000

Another vote for The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski. River of Time by John Swain is an excellent Indochina read.

By: Flex Holidays

Flex Holidays — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:38:28 +0000

Great list. Here’s our top five books that inspire travel. none of which made it here !

By: Sara

Sara — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:31:11 +0000

I would add Around the World in 80 days by Jules Verne to this list. I’d be curious to know why you think the Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde would be a travel novel. Interesting read, but it didn’t inspire travel for me! (And maybe, that’s just me.)

By: Stephanie Lee

Stephanie Lee — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:33:36 +0000

Thanks for all the suggestions, I’m gonna try and read some of them this year. Also, Eoin Colfer has just released the new sequel to Hitchhiker’s Guide as well, can’t wait to get my hands on that one

By: Craig and Linda

Craig and Linda — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:18:33 +0000

On twitter, @jerseyisland recommended “Are You Experienced?” by William Sutcliff as the ultimate for backpackers in India.

By: Craig and Linda

Craig and Linda — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:09:17 +0000

Loving all of these additions (and planning a library trip for next week). Did you know we’ve become library members in four countries. Maybe five? I can’t remember. Maybe we could try and join a library in every country … I’m sure some of the more dictatorial ones would love that paperwork

I (Craig) want to add Baudolino by Umberto Eco to the list. It’s a crazy post-modern novel set in the middle-ages Europe and is a stunning book to read while travelling. It’s also big enough to throw at rodents, so fills in for a guidebook in some countries.

By: lisa

lisa — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:35:11 +0000

Tracks, Robin Davidson – classic travel writing and an amazing example of its genre: politicised, personal, fascinating, literary.

In Turkey I Am Beautiful, Brendan Shanahan – transcends genre, beautifully written.

The Shadow of the Sun, Ryszard Kapuscinski – heartbreakingly devastating and beautiful journalism from a Pole in Africa.

Congo Journey, Redmond O’Hanlon – intelligent, witty, fascinating.

A Short Walk In The Hindu Kush, Eric Newby – a gentleman and an explorer, hilariously out of his depth

By: katejoanna

katejoanna — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:52:59 +0000

I know I’ll think of more later…

Shantaram – Gregory David Roberts.

The Envoy from Mirror City – Janet Frame.

Freedom in Exile: the autobiography of the Dalai Lama.

Around Ireland with a Fridge – Tony Hawk.

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:43:49 +0000

I would add Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.

By: jkiel

jkiel — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:51:22 +0000

Don’t forget ‘Blue Highways: A Journey into America’ by William Heat Least-Moon!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:22:06 +0000

Oh and Peter Pan! Definitely on my inspiring travel reads list.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:14:06 +0000

Love them all. I’ve got to revisit Fitzgerald at some point; I barely remember most of his work.

Neil Gaiman is lots of fun. I was introducted to him through a novel he co-wrote with Terry Pratchett. Good Omens, perhaps? Something like that.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:21:13 +0000

Okay, I’m a book nerd, but just off the top of my head:

American Gods- Neil Gaiman
London Fields- Martin Amis
Tender is the Night- F. Scott Fitzgerald
Down and Out in Paris and London- George Orwell
The Sun Also Rises- Ernest Hemingway

By: Craig and Linda

Craig and Linda — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:08:44 +0000

Some of our old favourites and some new reading material there, Steph. Thanks! We'd also give a thumbs up to A Traveler's Library, where Craig recently talked about one of his favourite books.