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I hope you enjoy these books and they encourage you to travel! I know everyone gets inspired to travel in different ways. Books can be such a great way to be inspired. Whether you want a fictional journey or travel to a spot where a book was filmed, this list of books will have you covered.
The last book on this list is not exactly a travel book, but more a business-minded book. Which while we all are in a different season of life, I think it should be added to this list as we all are working to grow our own knowledge and reevaluate our businesses.
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Emma by Jane Austen
Did you know the movie Clueless is based on Emma? If ya didn’t, now you know. They recently released a remake version of this book, which if you do not know the storyline, you would be SUPER confused. Now, for all Jane Austen book lovers, you know so many of her books take place in England. This piece will make you want to visit old homes and sit in their endless fields and enjoy a picnic. Just like they all did and Emma and a special moment of putting her foot in her mouth.
Emma is different than other Austen pieces. Here you may not love the main character Emma, but her character arch will make you love her and Mr. Knightley who challenges her to be a better version of herself. This adorable town will also make you desire to know your neighbors and wish to escape to this small town and high society culture.
2. The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
The Magician’s Nephew is the first book of The Chronicles of Narnia. I put this here, it is not my favorite of the series, but if you’re going to start the series, you’ll need to start at the beginning. This sweet series is written by C.S. Lewis. He wrote it this for his niece Lucy. In the second book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, this was written specifically written for her.
This book is a great spot to start if you are looking to visit England as well since it starts by taking place there. You’ll enjoy the beauty that England has to offer through his eyes. This was published in 1950, however, the book takes place in London in the early 1900s and you get to go on an adventure with Digory and Polly. Even though it was written after the other books it is considered the prequel.
3. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien was good friends with C.S. Lewis. It is only fitting to have them on a list together. If you follow me on Instagram, you would already know my love for listening to the audible book of The Hobbit when I travel. If you’re not following me, I suggest you do it!
The Hobbit is about Bilbo’s very first adventure which I hold near and dear. When I went on my first solo trip and my adventure I played this on my flight, drive to where I stayed and all my drives during it. Since then it has become a trip tradition to listen to the Hobbit on my adventure with Bilbo’s. If you’re going on an adventure, I suggest listening to this story, I guarantee it will increase your experience!
The book was made into a film, and it was filmed in New Zealand. If you are more of a movie watcher, I suggest watching the movie to plan your trip to the Lonely Mountain! Well, you can’t actually go there since it was CGIed in for the movie, but if you read the book you’ll know what I mean!
4. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Are you a National Park lover? Have you been to Denali National Park in Alaska? This book has inspired many to make the trek to Denali and repeat the path that Christopher McCandless did to get to Denali National Park. He was a major hitchhiker and nomad. Many people try to recreate his trek and visit the van that he stayed in and was eventually trapped in. It’s an amazing story that gives a different perspective on how others can view the world and material things.
I have read this book and watched the movie so many times. This last fall I read the book again and saw it in a different light because I met many people whose lives had changed drastically because of their desire to seek a life like Christopher’s. Being detached from the world, picking up jobs when they’re in need and just having no place they’re grounded. I think the lifestyle has become more popularized in recent years., I wouldn’t be surprised if this book is what started it for some people.
5. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
I enjoy psychology or sociology books. Even discussing how and why people do certain things. Outliers was one of the first books of Malcolm Gladwell’s that I read. This book changed how I see happenstances or people just being lucky. In some accounts, I think it does show people may have reached a level of success from the timing being in their favor. I can say I’ve seen that work for people getting promoted quicker not necessary from skill set but openings coming available at a time where someone might be considered for it.
It also shows how there is a skill needed. If you find this kind of genre interesting, I highly recommend checking out this book! It's also great to bring up at dinner parties or strike a conversation with a stranger.
Let me know your book recommendations in the comments below!