I truly believe the reading goes hand in hand with traveling. If you have ever had to travel for an extended period of time then you will understand all of the “down” time in between waiting at the airport, taking a train, etc. and unless you have some sort of magical device that will keep your phone/tablet charged forever or don’t mind staring at strangers for 10+ hours then a good book is essential to any traveler’s tool kit.

Books are an amazing way to explore a destination before you even arrive but they also take you on some of life’s best adventures without ever having to leave your seat! So I have put together a list of some of my favorite books that will take you on an amazing new adventure from the comfort of your own home but will perhaps inspire you to pack your bags and hit the road soon!

1. The Lost City of Z by David Grann

We always hear of these grand tales of explorers setting off on a grand adventure to discover lost cities. Well, in 1925 explorer Percy Fawcett did just that. He ventured into the Amazon to find the fabled “Lost City of Z” never to be found again. Countless people have perished trying to follow his footsteps and to discover any evidence of the lost city. In this stunning nonfiction narrative, David Grann unravels a spellbinding story about what is the biggest exploration mystery of the 20th century.

2. On The Road by Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac is just one of those authors who have written timeless classics that will resonate with many generations to come. Inspired by Jack’s real-life adventures with his friend Neal Cassady, ​On The Road​ tells a tale of two friends who road trip cross-country through America. Through their travels, they discover the quintessential vision of freedom and hope, becoming better people by the end of their journey. This book is a must for anyone with a deep love of humanity, adventure, and a desire to see the world.

3. Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam by Andrew X. Pham

At the age of 30 Andrew X. Pham, a Vietnamese American, drops everything he is doing to start his journey on bike from America to Vietnam. It is a cultural journey in which Andrew discovers all about where he is from as well as his own self. In this candid, heartfelt adventure story we travel through Mexico, the United States, Japan, and Vietnam while exploring the ideas of cultural identity and where we truly “belong”.

4. In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is one of my favorite travel writers and in my opinion, ​In a Sunburned Country​ is some of his best work. He tells a very hilarious and extremely realistic story of what it is like to travel through Australia. He writes all about the history of Australia coupled with misadventures and hilarious moments that will have you laughing out loud.

5. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Okay, how could I write this post without including this book? Eat, Pray, Love is more than just a travel book. It is a story of discovering yourself and what you value most in life. It is about shifting what you truly believe to be important and what actually is. As you travel with Elizabeth through Italy, India, and Bali you will be totally enraptured with her story and want to have an ​Eat, Pray, Love​ moment yourself by dropping everything you are doing and set off on an adventure.