Top 18 Books to Fuel Your Wanderlust

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Traveling the world is one of the most romantic ideas. There is no better way to truly experience the world than by visiting other places and experiencing their different cultures, food, and locations. However, sometimes you might not be inspired to travel, don’t know where to go, or perhaps don’t know how to go about doing so. Don’t worry, we got your covered with the top 18 books to help fuel your wanderlust!

18. The Beach by Alex Garland

Synopsis: This fictional book follows the main character’s journey to find the perfect, untouched beach in Thailand, and the truths of about it and the people he finds there.

Why Read It: This book destroys the notion of the perfect traveling experience. Therefore, you are freed from the expectations that can come along with that and truly embrace your wanderlust.

17. Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams

What It’s About: In this book, Adam attempts follow the original 1911 expedition to Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham.

How It Will Bring Out Your Own Wanderlust: Ironically, Adams is not much of an adventurer himself. Therefore, as you read through this book, you can follow along on his humorous accounts of trekking to Machu Picchu while learning about the history of this magnificent land mark along the way.

16. Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica by Zora Neale Hurston

What It’s About: Learn about Jamaican and Haitian spiritual culture in the 1930s through the first-hand accounts of the author.

Why It Will Inspire You To Travel: The book totally immerses you in the lives of the people. After reading this book, you will be convinced that it is impossible to truly experience other cultures by simply observing them; rather, you must embrace your wanderlust and become part of them.

15. Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian

What It’s About: This part fiction part autobiography follows Xingjian’s travel’s through rural China.

Why You Should Read It: Xingjian’s journey was first inspired due to a false diagnosis of lung cancer. Through traveling through China, Xingjian is able to find their inner self and hopefully inspire you to find your inner self as well.

14. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Story: Follow along the journey of the main protagonist, Santiago, as he travels from Andalusia to Egypt.

Why Read It: This book will help you awaken your wanderlust as well as making your own journey in order to achieve your dreams.

13. The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner

Synopsis: This book tries to figure out why some places in the world are just happier than other places.

Why Read It: This will help inspire your wanderlust as you get to meet the different cultures in the book and how they approach happiness.

12. Into The Wild by John Krakauer

The Story: Learn about the adventures of Chris McCandless, a man who was found dead 4 months after going into the Alaskan wilderness all by himself.

Why Read It: Chris’s life will definitely inspire your wanderlust, but at the same time question how far you will go to fill it.

11. Butter Chicken In Ludhiana: Travels In Small Town India by Pankaj Mishra

The Story: Follow along with the author as he explores the quirks of small Indian villages that are trying to adapt to a quickly modernizing country.

Why You Should Read It: There are many things that you take for granted such as capitalism. However, this will inspire your wanderlust as you get to see it being adopted in other countries in entirely new ways.

10. My Invented Country: A Memoir by Isabel Allende

The Book: This story looks into how a place can truly become your homeland.

Wanderlust Inspiration: The way the author describes South America and its people will make you want to pack your bags and go as soon as you finish the book.

9. Walden or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau

What It Is About: Learn about the simple life and being self-sufficient.

Why Read It: This classic book will help you remember that wanderlust doesn’t always mean you have to travel far. Rather, it is really about finding peace and calmness within yourself.

8. Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts

What It Is About: This book is the compendium of leaving everything behind and traveling including all the information you need to know in order to be able to do it.

Why Read It: This book gives you all the advice you will ever need to drop everything and go traveling. No more excuses to embrace your wanderlust.

7. Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman

The Story: This autobiography is about the seemingly great life of a woman living in Los Angeles but also having a looming divorce coming up. Rather than let these things take her down, she decides to travel and meet new people and cultures to force her to get out of her comfort zone.

Why Read It: No matter how your life is right now, this book will teach you to look beyond yourself.

6. The Lost Girls: Three Friends, Four Continents, One Unconventional Detour Around The World by Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, and Amanda Pressner

Synopsis: The true story of 3 successful New York city women who get fed up with their city lives and decide to drop everything to travel the world for a year.

Wanderlust Inspiration: If these successful women were able to drop everything to travel, why can’t you? In addition, they give a bunch of useful information on how you can go about doing it.

5. The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman

The Story: The autobiography of an impulsive trip to Ireland after graduating college and how the author then ended up in Australia and South America.

Why Read It: By reading this book, you will better understand the author’s free spirit and stoke your inner fire for wanderlust. In addition, who knows, perhaps you will just get up and go start exploring the world!

4. No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach by Anthony Bourdain

What It Is About: Follow along with Bourdain and he travels the world, explores its different cultures, and tries the authentic local cuisine of each country.

Why You Should Read It: Bourdain tells you things as they are. He doesn’t hold his punches, but also gives you the best advice and places to eat when visiting different countries. After reading his book, you are bound to have a truly great adventure.

3. Tracks by Robyn Davidson

What It’s About: Follow along on Davidson’s journey through 1,700 miles of Australia’s outback with just him, 4 camels, and a dog.

How It Will Inspire Your Own Wanderlust: By reading this book, you will learn about the dangerous, beautiful wildlife of Australia as well as its indigenous people, the Aboriginals. Both of these things will help inspire you to travel and truly get immersed in other cultures.

2. The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World by Lonely Planet

What It’s About: A compendium of 817 photos from every country in the world along with great tips and insights for visiting each country.

Why Read It: This is the perfect book to inspire your wanderlust and help you choose your next destination.

1. Wild by Cheryl Strayed

The Story: After having experienced a lot of loss in her own life, Cheryl decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail with little to no experience. This book follows her journey along the trail as well as her own self-discovery.

Why You Should Read It: This book will reveal the wanderlust in you and how traveling can heal your mind, body, and soul.

Ideas for the top 18 books to fuel your wanderlust come from the following sources.^[1]The Education Abroad Network – 6 Books to Fuel Your Wander lust^[2]Buzzfeed – 19 Books That Will Fuel Your Wander lust