What To Read

Now updated including great gifts for the travel lover!

If you are a travel lover who is looking to liberate your pent-up wanderlust, we have a reading list to inspire you. Why now? You might think of the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas as a notoriously stressful time to travel, but experts actually recommend these times for travelers to find some great hidden fares and avoid crowds.

We've compiled a list of this year's 26 best travel books that cover a range of experiences and destinations. Whether you're looking for a sensual soujourn to Sardinia, a pilgrimage to sacred spaces or a great American road trip, our selection has got you covered.

Oh, and before we get to the fun part, we can hear your audible groan about the state of air travel. We’d never let a few delays, cramped seats, and endlessly confusing mileage reward schemes stop us from embarking on our next big trip… but it's true that flying has become a bit of a killjoy. We recommend you check out this slim read Why Flying Is Miserable: And How to Fix It by policy wonk and law professor Ganesh Sitaraman, which takes aim at this 21st-century annoyance, providing illuminating insights and sharp analyses of the industry’s history, its current Achilles heels, and how things can be improved.

1. The Half Known Life by Pico Iyer

“Iyer’s meditation on paradise... is much more than a diary of his country-spanning travels," writes Elle’s Lauren Puckett-Pope in her warm endorsement of the latest from a beloved novelist and essayist. "It’s a work of philosophy, probing the scientific and the spiritual to understand why the most beautiful places often become such sources of pain, and how paradise might be re-discovered."

2. In the Shadow of the Mountain by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

In this memoir, the technologist and mountaineer Vasquez-Lavado recounts her transformative journey from Silicon Valley to Mount Everest's summit alongside a group of young female survivors, highlighting the challenges, moments of healing, and the unyielding spirit of resilience which propelled her to the peak.

3. In Sardinia by Jeff Biggers

If books about traveling in Italy are your cup of tea (or, more appropriately, espresso), then this is the title for you. Writing for the Washington Independent Review of Books, journalist Darrell Delamaide was filled with praise for this book which seeks to rewrite the unflattering narrative around the Mediterranean’s second largest island. Delamaide lauded the book as "a successful and well-written blend of history, travel, art, literature, and culture... [and] a rich account of a complex region."  

4. Driving the Green Book by Alvin Hall

Hall delves into the real history behind The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide that ensured safe roadtrips for Black Americans during the Jim Crow era. Hall, alongside Janée Woods Weber, retraces the guide's routes, visiting historically significant sites and gathering firsthand accounts from individuals for whom the Green Book was essential, capturing the resilience of Black communities amidst adversity.

5. Walking with Sam by Andrew McCarthy

For a book about travel in Spain, this humorous and touching memoir is an excellent choice. It follows New York Times bestselling author and actor Andrew McCarthy and his son Sam along Spain's famed 500-mile-long Camino de Santiago. The weeks-long journey offered the pair a rare opportunity to connect on a more intimate, human level at a time when Sam is beginning the long trek of adulthood and McCarthy is entering a new role as the parent of an adult child. It’s a touching and enlightening read perfect for anyone needing inspiration for their next hiking trip or who’s seeking a closer relationship with a parent or child. 

6. Mother, Nature by Jedidiah Jenkins

Jenkins and his mother, Barbara, embarked on a journey retracing the miles she once trekked on foot with his father in the 1970s. As they travel, this time by car, from New Orleans to the Oregon coast, Jenkins delves into his mother's past, confronts their differing views on his homosexual identity, and grapples with questions about relationships, boundaries, and forgiveness.

7. The Last Ride of the Pony Express by Will Grant

Once an essential route of communication, the “Pony Express” has long held a grip over the minds of those fascinated by the American West. Will Grant, a writer for Outside Magazine, is in that club. For Grant, an experienced horseback rider himself, it wasn’t enough to read about the great rides across the vast and long wilderness of the 19th-century West – he needed to live it. Grant documents his 2,000 mile journey with his two horses along the historic trail, which spans from Missouri to California, in a remarkable narrative that adventure lovers will devour. Journalist and author Carl Hoffman wrote in The Washington Post, “‘The Last Ride of the Pony Express’ is a paean to the horse and the American West, both of which Grant writes about with beauty and precision and a spareness as dry and sharp as a Nevada summer afternoon.” 

8. Riverman by Ben McGrath

For fans of travel books like Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, McGrath’s novel will tap into the same yearning for a life of untethered freedom and stoic self-sufficiency in a time where such lifestyles have essentially gone extinct. Dick Conant, an avid canoeist, journeyed solo through America's prominent rivers, establishing a broad network of friends and acquaintances along the way with his charisma and charm, before suddenly vanishing with his canoe washing ashore empty. In Riverman, McGrath—who first encountered Conant in 2014—paints a compelling image of this intriguing man, offering a glimpse into his struggles and the rarely seen side of America filled with unique personalities and rugged landscapes.

9. Vincent's Arles by Linda Seidel

You may not immediately think a novel about Vincent Van Gogh belongs on a list of the best travel books. But Seidel paints a vivid narrative about Arles, a small medieval town in the South of France where Van Gogh spent 15 months, intertwining its historical essence with the artist’s legacy and letters to illuminate its rich past and present.

10. On the Curry Trail by Raghavan Iyer

When you can’t decide between the beach, the mountains, or the city for your next trip, we recommend letting your taste buds be the guide. This book from James Beard winner Raghavan Iyer, who sadly passed away earlier this year, traces the international journey of one of the world’s greatest flavors: curry. Moving across nearly every continent, Iyer presents the remarkable story of this ever evolving and transmuting dish. Bon Appétit's Genevieve Yam said, "Rarely do you come across a cookbook so deeply researched and comprehensive in nature. Beyond the extensive history, readers will also find recipes for curries from across the globe...On the Curry Trail demonstrates just how impactful this ingredient has been and continues to be." 

11. American Ramble by Neil King

In the wake of the January 6th insurrection, COVID-19 lockdowns, and a lengthy battle with cancer, Neil King Jr. decided to embark on a reflective 26-day journey on foot from Washington, D.C., to New York City, traversing significant historical sites and engaging with a diverse set of Americans. American Ramble captures this transformative adventure in one of the most inspiring books for travelers, revealing both the deep divisions in the nation and the unifying power of shared experiences, providing a fresh perspective on personal and national rejuvenation.

12. The Pride Atlas by Maartje Hensen

Curated by Maartje Hensen and a team of global writers, this is a comprehensive guide spotlighting iconic and lesser-known LGBTQ+ destinations and events worldwide, ensuring travelers are informed about local attitudes and safety. Paired with vibrant photographs, it’s one of the best books about travel that doubles as a visual treat and a practical tool for those planning their next inclusive adventure.

13. Elixir by Kapka Kassabova

In Elixir, we travel to the hills, valleys, and towns of Kassabova’s native Bulgaria, exploring the flora and fauna, people, and customs of the Mesta valley region. Kassabova’s enchanting exploration of the area’s unique and highly valued plants will be of particular interest to foraging enthusiasts. Biologist Amy-Jane Beer wrote glowingly in The Guardian, “I’ve rarely been so aware of an internal change being wrought, word by word, as I have these past days immersed in Kapka Kassabova’s alchemical prose. Elixir is like an ever expanding lucid dream that feels corporeal and spiritual, earthy and cosmic, in which we visit nested microcosms: egg, body, village, ecosystem, valley, mountain, planet, universe.” 

14. National Dish by Anya Von Bremzen

One of the most exciting parts about traveling to new places and experiencing new cultures is, of course, the food. Von Bremzen, the acclaimed international food writer and award-winning author of Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking, delves into the intertwined histories and futures of six iconic global cuisines, revealing how countries shape their dishes and vice versa. In the New York Times, professor Irina Dumitrescu described it as “a fast-paced, entertaining travelogue, peppered with compact history lessons that reveal the surprising ways dishes become iconic.” 

15. Fifty Places to Travel with Your Dog Before You Die by Chris Santella

Fifty Places to Travel with Your Dog Before You Die unveils a world of travel adventures tailored for dog enthusiasts, from Alaska's glaciers to Japan's onsen to Mariposa's ski trails and a dedicated dog cruise. This guide celebrates the bond between owner and pet, showcasing canine-centric locales, special festivals, and luxurious retreats that promise memorable experiences for both you and your furry companion. 

16. High by Erika Fatland

This thoughtful trek through the vast terrain of the Himalayan mountain range and its diverse peoples, is a captivating education on the history, geopolitics, culture, and geology of the region. The Guardian’s Anna Flemming appreciated in particular the author’s exposure of women’s lives, writing, “Fatland, as traveler and anthropologist, establishes a unique rapport with girls and women leading to precious insights into lives rarely recorded.” 

17. Europe by Train by Dk Eyewitness

One of the most practical travel books on this list, Europe by Train offers 50 expertly curated itineraries to help travelers explore the continent's diverse landscapes and cities via its expansive rail network. This comprehensive guide, crafted by travel professionals, combines practical advice on logistics with inspirational destinations, ensuring both seasoned and new train travelers have all they need for their next European adventure.

18. Made in Chicago by Monica Eng

Monica Eng and David Hammond delve into Chicago’s rich culinary heritage, highlighting 30 iconic dishes that were born from its diverse immigrant communities and local visionaries. Through colorful narratives and photos, the authors illuminate the stories and people behind each dish, offering readers both an exploration of the city's multifaceted history and a guide to its most enduring and beloved foods.

19. Kinfolk Wilderness by John Burns

Kinfolk Wilderness stands out among books for travelers by blending vibrant photography, reflections on land stewardship, and unique itineraries from five continents, encouraging a profound connection with nature. Emphasizing travel as a mindset, this guide offers entrancing glimpses into the European countryside, hiking trails in Iraqi Kurdistan, and stargazing in California's deserts, ultimately enriching our appreciation for both distant landscapes and the familiarity of home.

20. Windswept by Annie Worsley

Writer and geographer Annie Worsley's memoir is an impressive example of a travel book that authentically captures the essence of a location, painting a vivid picture of life in the Scotland Highlands, a region sculpted by elemental forces and steeped in history. Through her narrative, readers journey from the region's prehistoric origins, learning about the interplay of nature and culture, to Worsley's personal experience of finding home amidst its rugged beauty.

21. Call You When I Land by Nikki Vargas

Part memoir, part travelogue this book from the founder of the feminist travel magazine, Unearth Women, recounts the life-changing journey that led Vargas to abandon a promising advertising career in order to pursue a new life on the road. Forbes' Lois Alter Mark wrote glowingly, "A good travel memoir will inspire you to start researching destinations and planning your dream trip. Call You When I Land will motivate you to actually buy the tickets."

22. What Really Happens in Vegas by James Patterson and Mark Seal

This book provides an insightful glimpse into the lives of those who call Vegas their home and whose labor is essential to making Sin City everything that it is. Kirkus praises the book's "zippy profiles of success and struggle on a variety of socioeconomic levels" and says, "Readers will gain a dynamic sense of how the city channels extraordinary flows of money and hope through its complex infrastructure, nourishing seductive promises amid sparkling eclecticism."

23. Airplane Mode by Shahnaz Habib

Holly Hebert wrote glowingly of this Andrew Carnegie Medal of Excellence longlister in Library Journal: “With a sharp wit, the book unearths travel truths with a humorous bent that delivers several laugh out loud moments… Fans of travel writing, history, and travel writing itself will find this quick read a delightful, eye-opening one that fuels more insatiable wanderlust.”

24. Unforgettable Journeys Europe by DK Eyewitness

This collection of 150 iconic and lesser known scenic journeys through Europe, comes complete with stunning photographs and routes mapped out and organized by various modes of transportation, to help you make your wildest travel fantasies a reality.

25. Site Lines: Lost New York, 1954-2022 by Jill Gill

This collection of more than 100 watercolor and ink paintings, accompanied by observations and analysis, from lifelong New Yorker, Jill Gill, traces the transformation of the architectural landscape of America’s cultural capital over the course of nearly 50 years.

26. The New York Times 36 Hours. World. 150 Cities from Abu Dhabi to Zurich ed. by Barbara Ireland

Barbara Ireland In contrast to the “slow travel” that has become increasingly in vogue in recent years, this book features top guidance from the Times’s travel contributors to make the most out of short stays in 150 cities around the world. Featuring practical recommendations of restaurants and hotels, plus detailed photos and maps, this book is an excellent travel companion for those instances when time is tight.

We hope these titles will lead you to your next great travel adventure. These books about travel are not only informative, but also serve as excellent companions for any traveler looking to eat, pray or love their way around the globe. Once you've figured out where you want to go, make sure you stock up on books for the trip!