8 Travel Books That Will Change The Way You See The World

1. Dark Star Safari – Paul Theroux

One of the best travel writers of our time is Paul Theroux. Paul Theroux has written a lot of great travel books, like Mosquito Coast and The Great Railway Bazaar, but our favorite is Dark Star Safari.

Dave and I started our travels by biking from Cairo to Cape Town. In Dark Star Safari, Theroux goes back to the continent overland, but not by bicycle. This book took us back to Africa and reminded us of all the things we felt there, including the good, bad, ugly, and sad things we had forgotten.

He brings to life the people, places, and problems he meets on his journey from Cairo to Cape Town through his vivid descriptions, sharp wit, and thoughtful thoughts. From busy cities to small villages in the middle of nowhere, readers are taken to the heart of Africa and shown the successes, struggles, beauty, and everyday life that make up the continent.

What we like about Dark Star Safar is how he shows the less exciting parts of traveling. He talks about poverty, political turmoil, and conflicts between cultures, giving a nuanced and balanced view of Africa. Through his interactions with locals, aid workers, and other travelers, he shows the contradictions and complexities of each country and challenges popular ideas about it. Check out our adventures from Cairo to Cape Town at It All Started in Egypt: Cycling a Continent.

2. Wild – From Lost To Found On The Pacific Crest Trail By Cheryl Strayed

Adventure travel can change your life. When you take on a task, your feelings go up and down. I've been there, and I've had both bad and good thoughts and regrets. But just like at the end of a big adventure, the fight can help you heal and come out on top.

One of the most popular travel books (they always are when they become movies, right?) is about the author's trip along the Pacific Crest Trail as she faces the physical and emotional challenges of hiking over a thousand miles to find healing and herself.

Strayed's emotional and mental journey is at the heart of the book. As she deals with grief, loss, and her own demons, she faces her own weaknesses and eventually grows stronger and more able to handle hard things. Her open and honest look at her past mistakes, relationships, and the complicated nature of people is both inspiring and approachable.

Join Cheryl Strayed as she faces her demons and battles along the way. Wild: Lost and Found on the Pacific Crest Trail can be bought. On Amazon here.

3. A Woman Alone: Travel Tales From Around The Globe

A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the World is a collection of stories about women who travel alone. This collection of personal stories, put together by Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick, and Christina Henry de Tessan, shows how powerful and life-changing it can be for women to go out into the world on their own.

This trip book is great for women who are traveling alone. The book has a lot of different stories from women from different places and backgrounds, giving a mosaic of different views and travel experiences. Readers are treated to a rich tapestry of cultures, encounters, and adventures, from visiting busy towns to traveling through remote areas.

The anthology catches the essence of travel. It goes beyond just describing places to go and looks at how travel can change people. A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the World is a great book for both experienced solo travelers and people who want to go on their first solo trip.

4. 1,000 Places To See Before You Die By Patricia Schultz

Patricia Schultz, who is very smart and great, came up with the idea for 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. If you have a strong desire to travel the world, this book by Patricia Schultz is for you. This book about traveling makes a great gift.

A lot of tourists are always looking for new ideas, and this place is full of them. I took my Sharpie Marker and went through all the places she suggested around the world.The trip book with the most sales is called "1,000 Places to See Before You Die."I wish I'd come up with this idea. If you like to read about travel, you should add this to your library.

5. Eat Pray Love By Elizabeth Gilbert

I read Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert while traveling through India, so it certainly reminds me of my travels there. It is the real-life story of Elizabeth Gilbert finding herself after divorce.

I didn’t identify with India (pray) part of the book since I was there at the time, but I could definitely get on board with eating through Italy and finding love in Bali. Many travelers love following in the footsteps of Eat Pray Love and why not? Who doesn’t want to run away from it all, find themselves, fall in love, and write a book about it?

6. Grand Adventures By Alastair Humphreys

Alastair Humphreys, who was named the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, wrote the book Grand Adventures. We first heard about Alastair when he was riding around the world. He was such an inspiration to us that we decided to do the same thing in Africa. This book collects the most exciting adventures from around the world to make you want to go on your own. (We also show up once or twice from one of our trips around the world.)

7. Concierge Confidential By Michael Fazio

Michael Fazio's book Concierge Confidential tells what goes on behind the scenes of the lives of the rich and famous. He was the best butler in New York, and now he tells stories and gives tips about what it was like to serve the rich and famous. It's funny to read at times because of the crazy requests and the need to get people in anywhere possible.

I wouldn't want his job for anything, but it's fun to see what goes on behind the scenes in a hotel. Even though it's written from the point of view of a Concierge who fulfills tourists' every wish, this is one of the more unusual travel books. It still takes you to a different place.

8. Ontario Escapes By Jim Buyers

Ontario Escapes is written by Veteran journalist and top travel writer in Canada, Jim Byers. He shares his personal experiences and tips for traveling around Ontario Canada.

As a native Ontario resident, I found so many hidden gems in this book offering great Ontario travel tips and ideas. I love Jim’s writing style as he shares practical information with inspiring personal stories and recommendations.

Have these books piqued your interest in traveling the world? Tell me about the most exciting fictional journey you've ever read. We're always on the lookout for new reading material, so if you know of any more great books about travel, please recommend them in the comments.