I believe I became a travel blogger because I always loved reading books about journeys, travel and discovery. I am not on the road 365 days a year. As most of you, my dear readers, I go to work 8 to 5, take care of the kids and do house chores. But whenever I cannot venture off to a distant place, a good travel book can take me on a wonderful adventure in an instant. These books are perfect to read near a fireplace on a rainy or snowy day and dream up your next adventure and they are also great to take with you on vacation.
I also absolutely love funny travel books because there is no better remedy for a bad mood and dreary day than a good laugh. Therefore this personal preference of mine is reflected in the selection below.
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Books about journeys, travel and discovery for ADULTS
The first books about journeys that sparked my interest in travel were actually Jules Verne’s books. His books are classics – you cannot consider yourself a travel aficionado if you have not read Verne’s two best books about journeys around the world: Around the World in 80 Days
and Captain Grant’s Children
. Both books are great for adults and older kids (teens).
You may have seen the Disney movie with the same name based on Verne’s book but I urge you to read the original story. As often happens with silver screen productions, the book is always better, richer and offers much more to the reader than what is condensed in about 2 hours of motion pictures. To me this is the best book about journeys, travel and discovery ever written, no argument.
This book may not be as famous in the U.S. as some of other Jules Verne’s books but to me it is one of the best of his literary works. It is a captivating story of a partially destroyed SOS message in a bottle and a subsequent plight of two kids to find and save their father who is apparently held hostage by “savages” somewhere on the 37th parallel. The kids and their adult benefactors basically have to circle the globe along the 37th parallel and we can join them in their journey on land and sea.
Jumping to the 20th century, I would say a book every traveler should read is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It is rightfully considered a modern classic and it is an ultimate book about journeys, travel and discovery that follows a shepherd boy pursuing his dream of travel and search of treasure.
Among the most recent books about journey, travel and discovery I absolutely love Where’d You Go, Bernadette and A Gentleman in Moscow
Again, if you saw 2019 Hollywood movie “Where’d You Go Bernadette”, just ignore it. It does not do the book any justice. Read the book. I promise you will find it so much more in it. If you have not seen the movie yet, it is a story of a 15 year old girl’s efforts to find her mother who vanishes suddenly and inexplicably. It takes you on a journey from Seattle to… well I can’t tell you where it takes you without spoiling a big surprise. Just read and see how this journey unfolds! 😉 I would only add one thing: if you would like a funny travel book – this is it.
‘A Gentleman in Moscow” is a novel about Russia (Soviet Union) that is more of a journey through time than a journey through different places. I usually don’t like how foreigners portray my country because none of them gets the essence of the “Russian soul”, as I would call it, but Amor Towles does. This book would make a great movie, an epic classic Hollywood movie where there are no car chases or gun fire; where the most important part is the dialogues of the main characters, their personal journeys and discoveries with a backdrop of monumental historic events that spun over half a century.
If you are interested in books about journeys, travel and discovery related specifically to California I recommend reading Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel
. This book gives you a flavor of quirky San Francisco and techie Silicon Valley. The plot is a light mystery that is great to take with you on vacation.
If you prefer non-fiction books about journeys, travel and discovery here are some great ideas for you that you are absolutely will enjoy.
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World is an wonderfully fascinating book documenting the author’s travels to roughly a dozen countries around the world to find out where people are happiest and why. The results are bound to surprise you!
If you have not read any of Bill Bryson‘s books, you definitely should! I personally own 5 of his books about USA, UK, Australia, his travels in Europe and the quest along the Appalachian Trail. Bryson’s books are outright hilarious! I would literally place them on top of the list of all funny travel books. Granted, UK and USA books are a bit out of date but even so they make for a delicious read. Below is a selection of my personal favorites (images are clickable links):
Books about journeys, travel and discovery for KIDS
There are several great books about journeys, travel and discovery that I can highly recommend:
Not For Parents series by Lonely Planet Kids that have several countries and cities, among which USA, China, Great Britain, New York, London and several others. These books are jam packed with interesting and useful information that inspires kids to learn about various countries’ history, culture and traditions and of course, travel (the images below are clickable links):
For all types of road trips there is no better book than Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
It takes you along on one middle school boy’s hilarious road trip. It is a funny travel book and an easy read that the whole family will enjoy.
Paddington
is another one of my favorite books about journeys, travel and discover for kids. A bear from the Darkest Peru goes on an adventure of a lifetime that takes him to London. It is an adorable and funny story that you just can’t help fall in love with.
Do your kids love magical journeys? Then they will adore Wishing Chair Collection! This is a collection of 3 fantastic books about 2 kids, a brother and a sister traveling to magical worlds on a flying chair.
These books are our family’s favorites but we are always open to new suggestions. I would love to hear from you what books about journeys, travel and discover you would recommend. Please, share your ideas in the comments below – I would love to read them!
If you found this information on books about journeys, travel and discoveries helpful, please do me a little favor and share this information with others, for there’s a good chance that it will help them with their travel plans. 🙂 Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram where I post many more cool photos and videos about our trips than I could include in a blog post and organize some nice giveaways!
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