Reading is a vicarious journey that can take you to new worlds, back in time, or to the opposite end of the globe all in black-and-white pages. I travelled through these six books over the past year. I hope they inspire a peripatetic lifestyle and allow you to escape right from your living room!

1. A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett

Easily the most powerful book I’ve read recently, Amanda Lindhout’s harrowing true story of kidnapping, abuse and travel in dangerous places brought me to tears—and left me feeling extremely grateful. It may not exactly encourage you to travel more, but it will leave a lasting impression.

2. Falling in Honey: How a Tiny Greek Island Stole my Heart by Jennifer Barclay

The perfect beach read, Falling in Honey is a little about love… but mostly about self-discovery abroad. This easy, enjoyable tale can be picked at, put down, and effortlessly picked up again, making it an ideal book to bring on a busy holiday.

3. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Although not technically travel writing, this book was one of the most interesting and enjoyable reads I’ve digested lately. All the Light We Cannot See is historical fiction that follows a young French girl and a German boy during World War II. The short chapters make it easy to read with breakfast, while waiting for the bus or en-route to work.

4. Unpacked: From PEI to Palawan by Mo Duffy Cobb

This Canadian writer bravely exposes her grief and pain through her experience of a stillbirth and the international adventure it inspired. Long descriptions, long chapters, and long explanations of her journey fill the pages.

5. Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road by Kate Harris

This woman amazes me. Kate Harris travels boldly on her bicycle, while diving into academic and scientific facts my eyes raked over to get back to the action. Take this book on a long flight or layover—it’s not a light read and can take some time to really get into.

6. A Month by the Sea: Encounters in Gaza by Dervla Murphy

Full disclosure: I’m still reading this one. Irish travel writer Dervla Murphy wrote this book after spending a month on the Gaza Strip, a place and conflict I already have strong feelings about. I picked up this book as a learning experience and am reading it by the ocean in BC.

 

What are your favourite travel books? Have you read the ones I mentioned?

What should I read next?