Books are perfect for dreaming about a family holiday, preparing for a trip, or just getting into the holiday spirit. Travel teaches us so much—it opens new worlds, fuels curiosity, and introduces us to different cultures and ideas. Books can magically transport them to faraway lands while they cozy up in their favorite reading spot. Here are amazing travel books that should be on your coffee table if you want to rekindle your wanderlust.
Stacey Mei Yan Fong discovered the quintessential American experience through a slice of pie. Growing up in Singapore and Hong Kong, she watched U.S. movies and dreamed of a cross-country road trip, stopping at diners along the way. After studying in Savannah and spending a decade as a fashion designer, Stacey transformed her love for baking into a tribute to her adopted country. She created a pie for each state, celebrating the people, places, and flavors that made her fall in love with America.
Maggie Nelson's poetic prose dives into her personal experiences with the color blue, weaving it through themes of love, misery, and pain. Inspired by her, I've started noticing and documenting the colors in my own life and travels. This approach brings new emotions, connections, and realizations. Now, when I see a city's color palette or the hue of a dish, I ask myself what memories or other places they evoke. These observations turn into stories, adding depth to my adventures.
You don't have to buy all these books in paper editions. If you have an iPhone at hand in FictionMe, you can read books anytime and anywhere. There are thousands of novels online, available even offline. In the story reading app, you can create your library, make bookmarks and follow new works of your favorite authors. By the way, this novel app can even voice books.
Discover 40 of the world's most breathtaking road trips in this beautiful hardcover book. Featuring bucket-list drives across the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, it’s packed with full-color photos, delightful illustrations, and captivating route overviews. Perfect for dreamers and adventurers, it's an ideal gift to inspire your next adventure.
In her 1966 novel Wide Sargasso Sea, Dominican-British author Jean Rhys provides a backstory and a life to the infamous "madwoman in the attic" from Jane Eyre. This feminist, post-colonial prequel is set in the Caribbean, with part one taking place in Jamaica during the protagonist’s childhood, and part two in Dominica during her fraught honeymoon with Mr. Rochester. Rhys's descriptions of these islands are both captivating and eerie. These settings are not just backdrops; they are integral to Rhys's exploration of themes like race, power, and assimilation. Consequently, this novel will engage you with its rich narrative and evocative landscapes.
Anthony Bourdain was only able to outline this book before his passing. However, it's enriched with his words and heartfelt essays from his friends about travel, life, and food with Tony. I wish the book had focused solely on these essays and Bourdain's quotes, rather than trying to double as a guidebook. The sections on how to get from the airport to the city center and recommended websites for booking airfare felt out of place and, frankly, dull.
Picking up this book feels like making a new friend. "Love With a Chance of Drowning" is not just a tale of a global sailing adventure; it's about the author Torre DeRoche and her funny, relatable, and touching storytelling.
Despite an intense fear of the ocean and severe seasickness, DeRoche takes on an around-the-world sailing trip after meeting the love of her life. Filled with anxiety but driven by love, she sets sail, facing her fears and sharing her incredible story.
DeRoche's honest writing connects with readers beyond interests in sailing, anxiety, or relationships. "Love With a Chance of Drowning" will make you laugh, cry, and crave the sense of adventure that travel brings.
This memoir is both hilarious, as expected from a late-night comedian, and deeply personal and serious. It serves as a beautiful tribute to Trevor’s mom while offering an unflinching look at life in South Africa. If you're ready, download the Fiction Me app for iOS here and start reading. My only gripe is that the book jumps around chronologically, making it sometimes confusing to follow.
"Pachinko" is a deeply moving tale of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty. Spanning bustling Korean markets, Japan's elite universities, and the dark underbelly of pachinko parlors, Lee's rich characters—resilient women, devoted family members, and morally conflicted fathers—navigate and endure the relentless march of history.
Travel books don't have to be just guidebooks or memoirs; they can be beautiful works of art, showcasing the beauty and diversity of our world. These coffee table books will inspire your wanderlust and transport you to new places without ever leaving your home. So next time you're feeling the urge to travel, pick up one of these books and let your imagination take flight. Happy reading! There are many other amazing travel books out there waiting to be discovered, so keep exploring and expanding your literary horizons.
