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If you’re an avid reader, you know how much a good book can influence and motivate your thoughts. If you like the idea of traveling, some books may be more likely to encourage you to make a trip or two. Check out these books that will inspire you to travel or at least give you a good case of wanderlust.
On the Road
This 1957 classic by Jack Kerouac may be the original hobo story — or least the inspiration for a generation of Beatniks — those pre-hippie ancestors. The story follows Sal along a journey of riding the train rails westward from New York City and experiencing life along the way. If you’ve ever thought about just hitting the road and seeing where it takes you, this fictional story can give you a few ideas.
Vagabonding
Have you ever dreamed about just putting your normal life on hold and traveling from place to place…like a vagabond? This classic travel tale from Rolf Potts shares insights from this traveler who spent 10 years on the road traveling from place to place and settling nowhere. “Vagabonding” gives you some experienced insight into life on the road from a non-fiction perspective.
The Alchemist
This tale by Paulo Coelho shares the story of two people who left their jobs to see the world and gain new experiences. Perhaps the most compelling thing in this book that inspires you to travel is this quote: “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself…And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams…”
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
While you will probably not find yourself thumbing it across the Milky Way, this book by Douglas Adams can certainly inspire you to explore and even embrace the unknown. This book is a look at the more fantastic parts of travel with a heaping helping of humor and a little bit of ridiculous on the side. Regardless, it’s fun, entertaining, and certainly inspiring.
Eat, Pray, Love
You don’t have to be going through a divorce or the breakup of a relationship to find solace and inspiration through travel, but in Elizabeth Gillbert’s memoir about her journey from despair to hope, you can find encouragement to see the world. Gillbert shares about her painful divorce and her subsequent decision to hit the road — journeying to Italy, India, and Indonesia. Along the way she learned to enjoy new foods, new faith, and new love.
Make a visit to your local library to check out one or more of these great books for some travel inspiration. After you’re finished reading, you may be ready to set out and create a few adventures of your own.
What movie have you recently watched that inspired you to travel?
These are all great books that are worth checking out.
Well i’ve read one out of 5 so I guess that’s my tbr list getting bigger, thanks for sharing xx
I had not read The Alchemist yet but now I really want to!
I’ve read some of these and they are great. I haven’t read Eat Pray Love yet, but that’s on my wish list.
I haven’t seen any lately that offered inspiration, but you make me want to pick up one of these books and get some!
Some nice book selections. I loved eat pray love. It was a good book and great movie.
I love books that inspire readers to travel. It is amazing how you can sometimes live through the authors words/visions. Anything that inspires others is a beautiful thing. Thanks for sharing.
I love to travel but haven’t watched anything recently that has made me want to travel. These sound like some good reads.