Top 25 Books: Written Inspirations For Your Journey
October 21, 2009 in Travel Books
While music serves as a soundtrack for your journey, travellers find the written word equally inspiring. Books transport you to far-away lands in exotic landscapes, feeding your mind with all the heart-pumping stories of the world contained within their paper souls.
Some of them share a common theme of journey, transformation and discovery, some are set in incredible countries, while some are just plain good reads. Although there will never be a list long enough to cover everyone’s wide variety of tastes, here’s my top 25 books for your travel adventure, listed in alphabetical order for your reading pleasure.
- 1. Across The Nightingale Floor – Lian Hearn
- 2. Alice In Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
- 3. Balzac And The Little Chinese Seamstress – Dai Sijie
- 4. Essays On Love – Alain de Botton
- 5. Gulliver’s Travels – Jonathan Swift
- 6. High Fidelity – Nick Hornby
- 7. Middlesex – Jeffrey Eugenides
- 8. The Alchemist – Paul Coelho
- 9. The Art Of Travel – Alain de Botton
- 10. The Book Thief – Markus Zurzak
- 11. The Chronicles Of Narnia – C.S. Lewis
- 12. The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown
- 13. The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy – Douglas Adams
- 14. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien
- 15. The Life Of Pi – Yann Martel
- 16. The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint Exupery
- 17. The Lord Of The Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien
- 18. The Moor’s Last Sigh – Salman Rushdie
- 19. The Picture Of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde
- 20. The Shadow Of The Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zarfon
- 21. The Zahir – Paul Coelho
- 22. Labyrinth – Kate Mosse
- 23. Perfume – Patrick Suskind
- 24. Shalimar The Clown – Salman Rushdie
- 25. Vernon God Little – D.B.C. Pierre
I have personally read all of these books, read some of them twice, and would not share them on this list unless I recommend them. And for those who are frowning at the Dan Brown inclusion … story aside, the book does make one see the places described in it in a whole new light. What about all you other travellers out there, what would you add to this list?
This article was written by Stephanie Lee
Stephanie Lee was a professional couchsurfer in the Middle East, Egypt, and Europe for many months, thus is a bit of an expert on vagabonding. When not traveling, she resumes her normal life as an architect in Sydney. Stephanie is the author of the Art of Solo Travel, published by Indie Travel Media.
Since November 2006 the Indie Travel Podcast has evolved into an independent travel hub with regular audio and video podcasts along with articles by travellers from all over the world. 
Hosts Craig and Linda Martin started travelling in February 2006 and have been to over 50 countries. They were 
Craig and Linda said on October 21, 2009
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.
Stephanie said on October 21, 2009
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
Craig and Linda said on October 21, 2009
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.
Stephanie said on October 22, 2009
Oh and Peter Pan! Definitely on my inspiring travel reads list.
jkiel said on October 22, 2009
Don’t forget ‘Blue Highways: A Journey into America’ by William Heat Least-Moon!
JoAnna said on October 22, 2009
I would add Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.
katejoanna said on October 22, 2009
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.
lisa said on October 22, 2009
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
Craig and Linda said on October 23, 2009
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.
Craig and Linda said on October 23, 2009
On twitter, @jerseyisland recommended “Are You Experienced?” by William Sutcliff as the ultimate for backpackers in India.
Stephanie Lee said on October 23, 2009
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
Sara said on October 28, 2009
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.)
Flex Holidays said on October 28, 2009
Great list. Here’s our top five books that inspire travel. none of which made it here !
Stuart said on October 28, 2009
Another vote for The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski. River of Time by John Swain is an excellent Indochina read.
curiousjessica said on October 28, 2009
Some of these books bring back fond memories…thanks for the great post!
Stephanie Lee said on October 28, 2009
@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.
T-roy said on October 28, 2009
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/
Carmen said on October 28, 2009
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
nate maingard said on October 30, 2009
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!
Craig and Linda said on October 30, 2009
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)
London Vacation Rentals said on July 13, 2010
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!