5 Books You Shouldn’t Travel Without
Toothpaste. Socks. ID. They’re all important things to pack when you’re about to embark on an international (or domestic) adventure, but they aren’t the only essentials. When you’re going to be traveling in and out of Wi-Fi coverage, or maybe even in and out of electricity coverage, it’s important to have something to do by the campfire. That’s why packing a good assortment of books (or at least a fully loaded eReader) is so important. Here are five travel-inspired books that you should take with you on your next adventure.
- On the Road by Jack Kerouac. A travel book so travel-y that it actually has “road” in its name, On the Road is a classic in terms of coming-of-age literature. Set in the late 1950s, On the Road stars roadtripping Sal as he makes his way westward from New York City on the train. Along the way, he encounters many colorful characters. He also starts to quench his thirst for adventure and discover even more about himself.
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. You were probably forced to read (or at least listen to) Treasure Island as a child, but now that you’re an adult, you’ll be able to appreciate this piece of Victorian literature much more. Pirates + shiny treasure = epic travel read. It also happens to be family friendly, so this book is a good one to pack or download if you intend to do story time with your kids.
- Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. If you haven’t already heard about the highly praised performance that Reese Witherspoon delivered in the film adaptation of Wild, you’ve probably been living under a rock for the past year. Read the firsthand account of Cheryl Strayed, the woman who inspired Reese’s performance, in the novel written about her solitary three-month trip on the Pacific Crest Trail after suffering the loss of her mother.
- Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story. Before you actually start traveling, you’ll probably check out Lonely Planet’s website for some tips, or pick up one of its paper guidebooks. Its founders tell you all about how they devised the idea for Lonely Planet in the autobiographical Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story. The tale begins in 1970s England and carries through to present day, depicting not only the founders’ own travels, but also the roadblocks they ran into as businesspeople early on.
- Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. You may already know how Chris McCandless’s story somberly ends: in a rundown bus in Denali National Park in 1992. But two years before his untimely demise, McCandless—AKA Alexander Supertramp—abandoned his entire life to explore the country and its wilderness. Jon Krakauer tells his story in this gripping novel, which was also translated into a 2007 film that starred Emile Hirsch, directed by Sean Penn. Side by side, Krakauer’s account is less flashy, but truer to life, so you’d be better off reading this story than seeing it on the screen if you’re interested in only the facts.
13 Travel Books That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust [Nomadic Matt]
10 Awesome Books About Travel to Read While Traveling [Matador Network]
10 Books to Read While Traveling [The Abroad Guide]