5 books that inspired my travels

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Looking for some books to read that will inspire your wanderlust? Well, look no further. This was so hard as I’m such a bookworm that to get it down to just 5 was almost impossible. I love nothing more than losing myself in a good book and these 5 are the ones that have had the biggest influence on my traveling ambitions.

The 5 Books that Inspired my Travels

The Island by Victoria Hislop – I read this book 10 years ago and it has had such a huge effect on me in so many ways. Firstly it triggered my love of historical fiction. I loved reading about a historic event through fictional characters. Not only was I getting an incredible and moving story but I was also learning about a historic event.

The fact that it was set in Greece was also a big reason in this as part of that learning was about another country, its culture, and its history. All of these things really excited me and I began to seek out similar books that told a story about a historic event in a different country. Not only have I learned a lot but I feel like I’ve had a time-traveling tour of the world through my reading. I think these stories have had a huge effect on my wanting to travel and visit these places.

The book itself is a story about a girl who goes in search of her family history and uncovers a tragic story of a community destroyed by leprosy. Including her mother’s family. It’s a beautiful, moving story and I highly recommend it.

Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel list: The 500 Best Places on the Planet…Ranked (Lonely Planet General Reference) – When I decided I wanted to travel the world I bought this book for some inspiration. It’s pretty big, so no chance of it fitting in my backpack. But I love it! It’s hardback and has beautiful pictures and a map for your wall! 

Whenever I’m planning a trip I check my book and I’ve also begun to tick off the places that I’ve been. I keep the book at my mum’s and it’s the first thing I go for when I’m there for a visit.

Love With a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche – I LOVE this book. It’s an honest, funny and charming book about a reluctant traveler. The best part is it’s a true story about a woman who falls in love and gives up her comfortable life to sail around the world. The only problem is she hates the sea and gets crippling seasickness. Although sailing the seven seas wasn’t for her. The experiences she has and the places she visits are described brilliantly and made me want to go hunting for an Argentinian to whisk me away on his boat…

Although sailing the seven seas wasn’t for her. The experiences she has and the places she visits are described brilliantly. This book made me want to go hunting for an Argentinian to whisk me away on his boat.

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding: A Memoir by Kristin Newman – If you are in your late twenties + and still single then read this book. In fact, even if you aren’t if you are a woman then read this book. It’s easy to read and it’s hilarious.

With chapters like:

“If I Don’t Sleep with This Russian Bartender, the Terrorists Win”

and

“Thirty-Five Is Too Old to Be Sleeping in a Bathroom”

You know you are going to be in for a laugh. For me, if felt reaffirming, that I was doing ok and it also helped me decide on visiting Argentina!

A Good Girl’s Guide to getting lost Rachel Friedman – I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and made me even more determined to travel to South America! In fact, it made me add Australia on to my list. I think what I loved about it was that she wasn’t a natural traveler. When she first left the USA for Dublin it wasn’t with a backpack. It was with a huge red suitcase. So if you aren’t sure if solo travel is for you, read this.

This post was proofread by Grammarly