You’ve probably read Eat, Pray, Love, and Wild, and probably The Alchemist too. If those titles are familiar, you might feel like you’ve been around the block and back with travel books.  

You’ve read all the best-sellers in travel, and now you’re stuck.  

Well, you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel like you’ve reached the end of the road with travel books. But don’t worry—there are still plenty of stories out there waiting to take you on a new journey.  

From the well-known classics that deserve a re-read to the hidden gems you haven’t yet discovered; this list is your ticket to a fresh adventure.  
So, whether you’re yearning for a journey to a remote village in Asia, a bike ride up a mountain, or a heartwarming love story set in a war zone, our team has compiled a mix of popular reads and under-the-radar treasures that’ll inspire your wanderlust. 

Ready to find your next great escape? Let’s dive into the ultimate list of must-read travel books. 

Book on Travel and Adventure

Bicycles Up Kilimanjaro by Nicholas Crane and Richard Crane

Overview: Imagine conquering Kilimanjaro—not on foot, but on a bicycle. That’s exactly what Nicholas and Richard Crane did in the '80s. This adventurous read takes you through their epic ride down Africa’s highest peak, blending travel thrills with an unexpected twist. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: If you’re looking for a unique take on adventure, this book’s for you. It’s not every day you get to ride alongside explorers who’ve pedaled their way into history. It’s the kind of tale that will make you want to grab your bike and start riding. 

Perfect For: Cycling enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, or anyone who’s dreamed of taking their bike on a truly epic journey. 

Around the World in 80 Days by Michael Palin

Overview: Michael Palin’s modern take on Jules Verne’s classic is an entertaining blend of travelogue and personal adventure. His TV series and books offer a humorous, insightful look at global travel through the lens of his charming and curious personality. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Palin’s wit and enthusiasm make this a delightful read. Whether you’re chuckling at his misadventures or marveling at his global escapades, this book makes world travel feel like a grand, yet accessible adventure. 

Perfect For: Fans of travel with a dash of humor, those who enjoy revisiting classic tales with a modern twist. 

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson 

Overview: The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America—majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s among the best places to go.  

Why It’s a Must-Read: Bryson’s blend of humor and adventure will have you laughing out loud while also appreciating the natural beauty of the Appalachian Trail. It’s a walk in the woods with a side of belly laughs. 

Perfect For: Anyone who enjoys a good laugh with their adventure or is planning a hike of their own. 

Bill Bryson has an entire collection of books that are all must-reads for anyone who loves travel, humor, and keen observations of the world around us. From his adventures in small-town America to his explorations of the history of the universe, there are too many gems to list here—but trust us, you’ll want to read them all. 

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer 

Overview: In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself.  
Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. How Christopher Johnson McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Krakauer’s powerful narrative dives into the raw and often harsh realities of McCandless’s journey. It’s a compelling read that will make you question the cost of following one’s dreams. 

Perfect For: Those drawn to intense personal stories and dramatic adventures that explore the human spirit. 

Memoirs and Personal Journeys 

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn 

Overview: Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home and livelihood is taken away. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: This book is a testament to the healing power of nature and the strength found in unexpected places. It’s a beautifully written story of overcoming adversity with the backdrop of stunning landscapes. 

Perfect For: Readers seeking inspiration and those who appreciate stories of personal triumph and natural beauty. 

As I Walked Out One Summer Morning by Laurie Lee

Overview: It was 1934 and a young man walked to London from the security of the Cotswolds to make his fortune. He was to live by playing the violin and by labouring on a London building site.  

Then, knowing one Spanish phrase, he decided to see Spain. For a year he tramped through a country in which the signs of impending civil war were clearly visible.  

Thirty years later Laurie Lee captured the atmosphere of the Spain he saw with all the freshness and beauty of a young man's vision, creating a lyrical and lucid picture of the beautiful and violent country that was to involve him. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Lee’s storytelling feels like a warm summer breeze on a leisurely stroll. If you’re a fan of reflective, immersive travel experiences, this book will transport you to a simpler, yet richer time. 

Perfect For: Readers who savor rich, descriptive prose and a slow, thoughtful journey through Europe’s landscapes and cultures. 

First, They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung

Overview: From a childhood survivor of the Cambodian genocide under the regime of Pol Pot, this is a riveting narrative of war crimes and desperate actions, the unnerving strength of a small girl and her family, and their triumph of spirit. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Ung’s account is both heart-wrenching and deeply impactful. It’s a crucial read for understanding the personal side of historical tragedies and the strength required to overcome them. 

Perfect For: Readers interested in powerful, historical memoirs that offer profound insights into human suffering and survival. 

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

A classic most of us wish we could read again for the first time! 

Overview: Burning slums and five-star hotels, romantic love and prison agonies, criminal wars and Bollywood films, spiritual gurus and mujaheddin guerrillas—this huge novel has the world of human experience in its reach, and a passionate love for India at its heart. Based on the author's life, it is the debut of an extraordinary voice in literature. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Roberts’s tale is as epic as it is engaging, offering a vivid portrayal of life in Bombay’s shadowy corners. It’s a gripping, larger-than-life story that will captivate any reader. 

Perfect For: Fans of sweeping, adventurous tales with rich, immersive storytelling and complex characters. 

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Overview: It is April 1975, and Saigon is in chaos. At his villa, a general of the South Vietnamese army is drinking whiskey and, with the help of his trusted captain, drawing up a list of those who will be given passage aboard the last flights out of the country.  
The general and his compatriots start a new life in Los Angeles, unaware that one among their number, the captain, is secretly observing and reporting on the group to a higher-up in the Viet Cong. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: This novel’s sharp narrative and deep cultural insights make it a standout in contemporary fiction. It’s a thought-provoking read that blends political intrigue with personal struggle. 

Perfect For: Those interested in politically charged narratives that offer a profound exploration of identity and conflict. 

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

Overview: In their remote mountain village, for generations Li-yan and her family align their lives around the seasons and the farming of tea —until a stranger appears at the village in the first automobile any of the villagers has seen.  

Slowly, Li-yan, begins to reject the customs that shaped her early life. When she has a baby out of wedlock, she rejects the tradition to give the child over to be killed, and instead leaves her, wrapped in a blanket, near an orphanage.  

Li-yan leaves her village for education, business, and city life.  Her daughter, Haley, was raised in California by loving adoptive parents. Despite her privileged childhood, Haley wonders about her origins.  

Across the ocean Li-yan longs for her lost daughter. Over the course of years, each search for meaning in the study of Pu’er, the tea that has shaped their family’s destiny for centuries. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: With its rich depiction of Chinese tea culture and heartfelt family drama, this book offers a deep and engaging read. It’s a beautiful narrative that highlights tradition and change. 

Perfect For: Readers interested in family sagas with strong cultural elements and a focus on personal relationships. 

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

Overview: A poignant look at the disillusionment and angst of the post-World War I generation.  

The story follows the flamboyant Brett and the hapless Jake as they journey from the wild nightlife of 1920s Paris to the brutal bullfighting rings of Spain with a motley group of expatriates.  

It is an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusions. First published in 1926, The Sun Also Rises helped to establish Hemingway as one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Hemingway’s succinct, powerful writing style makes this a timeless exploration of the human condition. It’s a quintessential read for anyone interested in classic literature and the complexities of post-war life. 

Perfect For: Literature enthusiasts and those who appreciate a sharp, introspective look at the lives of expatriates. 

Wild Swans by Jung Chang 

Overview: Jung Chang’s “Wild Swans” is a riveting memoir that spans three generations of women in 20th-century China, from the fall of the Qing Dynasty to the Cultural Revolution. The book offers a personal and historical perspective on the upheavals of modern China. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Chang’s memoir provides an intimate look at the transformative events in Chinese history through the experiences of her family, combining personal stories with broader historical context. It’s a powerful narrative of resilience and change. 

Perfect For: Readers interested in Chinese history, personal memoirs, and stories of familial strength through political turmoil. 

Planes, Trains & Elephants by Brian Thacker

Overview: Whether you're an explorer or a tourist, the journey often proves to be more exciting than the place you arrive at. Not to mention more alarming, entertaining, spectacular, dangerous or farcical. All of which is closely connected with the mode of transport you're dependent on - from stubborn mule to ancient plane.  

Brian Thacker has been on the look-out for unusual vehicles ever since he travelled down the Ovens River in the Victorian Alps on a rubber inner tube when he was nine years old.  

Here he writes about his most memorable journeys, including his trip on the Trans-Siberian Express, his pub crawl on the London tube, his journey down the east coast of Australia in a truck, and a camel safari with a particularly grumpy camel. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Thacker’s wit and keen observations make this travel memoir a joy to read. Whether he’s getting lost in a bustling city or trying to figure out the quirks of local culture, his adventures are relatable for anyone who’s ever felt both exhilarated and overwhelmed by travel. 

Perfect For: Fans of humorous travel writing who appreciate the unexpected joys (and mishaps) of exploring new places. Also great for armchair travelers eager to experience the wild, wonderful world of India. 

Historical Fiction 

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden 

Overview: In "Memoirs of a Geisha," you enter a world where appearances are paramount; where girls are auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion.  

Why It’s a Must-Read: It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction - at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful - and completely unforgettable. 

Perfect For: Readers who enjoy historical fiction with rich cultural detail and a touch of romance. 

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Overview: In the early 1900s, teenaged Sunja, the adored daughter of a crippled fisherman, falls for a wealthy stranger at the seashore near her home in Korea. He promises her the world, but when she discovers she is pregnant—and that her lover is married—she refuses to be bought.  

Instead, she accepts an offer of marriage from a gentle, sickly minister passing through on his way to Japan. But her decision to abandon her home, and to reject her son's powerful father, sets off a dramatic saga that will echo down through the generations. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Lee’s epic tale provides a poignant look at the struggles faced by immigrants and their descendants. It’s a beautifully crafted story of resilience and hope against the backdrop of historical and personal challenges. 

Perfect For: Readers who enjoy multi-generational sagas and stories that tackle social and cultural issues with depth and empathy. 

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng 

Overview: Tan Twan Eng’s “The Gift of Rain” is a beautifully written historical novel set in Malaysia during World War II. It tells the story of a young man caught between his Chinese heritage and the Japanese occupation, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Eng’s lyrical prose and evocative storytelling offer a moving depiction of wartime experiences and cultural conflict, making this novel a captivating and thought-provoking read. 

Perfect For: Readers interested in historical fiction with rich cultural contexts and intricate personal stories. 

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Overview: Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi” is an imaginative and philosophical tale of a young boy stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger after a shipwreck. The novel explores themes of faith, survival, and the power of storytelling. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Martel’s novel blends adventure with deep philosophical reflections, offering a unique and thought-provoking read that challenges perceptions of reality and belief. 

Perfect For: Readers who enjoy philosophical adventures and stories that explore profound themes through imaginative storytelling. 

Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante

Overview: Elena Ferrante’s “Neapolitan Novels” series begins with “My Brilliant Friend” and follows the lives of two childhood friends, Elena and Lila, from their childhood in Naples to their complex adult lives. The series explores themes of friendship, identity, and societal changes. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Ferrante’s detailed character studies and vivid depiction of Naples provide an engrossing and emotionally rich reading experience. The series offers a deep dive into female friendship and personal growth. 

Perfect For: Readers who love character-driven sagas with rich, immersive storytelling and a focus on female relationships. 

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Overview: The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism,  

The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Hannah’s novel captures the strength and determination of women facing extraordinary circumstances, offering an emotional and inspiring read. 

Perfect For: Readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong female characters and stories of bravery and camaraderie. 

The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan

Overview: Richard Flanagan's story — of Dorrigo Evans, an Australian doctor haunted by a love affair with his uncle's wife — journeys from the caves of Tasmanian trappers in the early twentieth century to a crumbling pre-war beachside hotel, from a Thai jungle prison to a Japanese snow festival, from the Changi gallows to a chance meeting of lovers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: This book offers a profound and moving look at the human cost of conflict. It’s a powerful read that captures both the horror and the humanity of wartime experiences. 

Perfect For: Readers interested in historical fiction that delves into the complexities of war and human endurance. 

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Overview: In "Half of a Yellow Sun," Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie crafts a gripping, emotional narrative set against the backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s. Through the lives of three different characters—an ambitious professor’s wife, a young houseboy, and a British expatriate—the novel weaves a powerful story of love, loyalty, and survival in the face of devastating conflict. 

Why It’s a Must-Read: Adichie’s storytelling is both heart-wrenching and illuminating, blending personal drama with the historical complexities of war. The novel provides a deep exploration of how political events shape personal lives, and how love can persist, even in the darkest times. 

Perfect For: Readers who enjoy richly layered historical fiction, stories of resilience, and exploring different cultural perspectives through literature. 

Your Next Adventure 

Whether it's a solo journey into the unknown or an unforgettable escapade with friends or loved ones, the stories between these pages remind us of the endless possibilities that await us in the world.  

And who knows?  

After finishing a few of these books, you might just find yourself craving a journey of your own—perhaps one where the wind is in your hair, the road stretches out ahead, and two wheels carry you to places and experiences you never imagined.  

If that sounds like the adventure you've been seeking, our range of bike tours are ready to take you there. After all, the best stories often start with a single step—or pedal.