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Sure, summer's the time to be outside but why not bring a book with you on your travels?
Whether you're on the beach, at the cottage or having a picnic, a good travel book can help transport you to places you've never been to before.
With that in mind, we chose 21 great travel books that will give you some serious wanderlust. From classics such as Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and George Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia" to new tomes such as Aspen Matis' "Girl in the Woods" and Steve Hely's "The Wonder Trail," there are plenty of books to choose from for some fascinating summer reading.
And, if you aren't in the mood for an adventure, stock up on some of these great summer books that will keep your eyes locked on the pages for hours.
Check out our favourite travel reads below:
21 Great Travel Books
(01 of21)
Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube: Chasing Fear and Finding Home in the Great White North, By Blair Braverman
Who it's for: The person who loves the north, but wants to appreciate it from a distance.What it's about: A young woman tests her courage by leaving her comfortable home in California for the dangers of arctic Norway to learn how to drive sled dogs.Why you'll love it: "This is a very engaging, thoughtful, empathetic memoir. The author is an old soul with real talent." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The person who loves the north, but wants to appreciate it from a distance.What it's about: A young woman tests her courage by leaving her comfortable home in California for the dangers of arctic Norway to learn how to drive sled dogs.Why you'll love it: "This is a very engaging, thoughtful, empathetic memoir. The author is an old soul with real talent." - Goodreads review.
(02 of21)
Girl In The Woods, By Aspen Matis
Who it's for: The thrill seeker.What it's about: Aspen Matis' true-life story of hiking from Mexico to Canada, in which she discovers just what she's made of not only through her physical journey but her mental one as well, after getting raped on her second night in college.Why you'll love it: "The power of Girl In The Woods doesn’t come from her survival of nature’s extremes, anyway. It comes from her slow reckoning with her rape and her halting but forward evolution on how she sees herself and understands her own abilities to survive, in the wilderness, but mostly with herself." - A.V. Club review.
Who it's for: The thrill seeker.What it's about: Aspen Matis' true-life story of hiking from Mexico to Canada, in which she discovers just what she's made of not only through her physical journey but her mental one as well, after getting raped on her second night in college.Why you'll love it: "The power of Girl In The Woods doesn’t come from her survival of nature’s extremes, anyway. It comes from her slow reckoning with her rape and her halting but forward evolution on how she sees herself and understands her own abilities to survive, in the wilderness, but mostly with herself." - A.V. Club review.
(03 of21)
My Holiday in North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth, By Wendy E. Simmons
Who it's for: The person who's fascinated with North Korea.What it's about: Wendy Simmons chronicles her strange vacation in North Korea with hilarity and poignant, and even scary, moments in a series of essays and photographs.Why you'll love it: "In one page it's both depressing and inspiring, heartbreaking and hilarious. Wendy Simmons herself is the perfect narrator as she is equal parts cheeky smart-ass and astute observer." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The person who's fascinated with North Korea.What it's about: Wendy Simmons chronicles her strange vacation in North Korea with hilarity and poignant, and even scary, moments in a series of essays and photographs.Why you'll love it: "In one page it's both depressing and inspiring, heartbreaking and hilarious. Wendy Simmons herself is the perfect narrator as she is equal parts cheeky smart-ass and astute observer." - Goodreads review.
(04 of21)
Homage To Catalonia, By George Orwell
Who it's for: The literary classics aficionado. What it's about: During the 1936 war in Spain, when Generalissimo Francisco Franco's fascist troops invaded the country, about 38,000 non-Spanish volunteers took up arms to defend the Republican cause. George Orwell was one of them. In "Homage to Catalonia," he documents the conflict and his experiences.Why you'll love it: "The real reason I liked the book so much was for its gritty account of war on the cheap, where guns are poor, marksmanship is worse, and the lack of food, matches and candles is more important than any threat by the enemy." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The literary classics aficionado. What it's about: During the 1936 war in Spain, when Generalissimo Francisco Franco's fascist troops invaded the country, about 38,000 non-Spanish volunteers took up arms to defend the Republican cause. George Orwell was one of them. In "Homage to Catalonia," he documents the conflict and his experiences.Why you'll love it: "The real reason I liked the book so much was for its gritty account of war on the cheap, where guns are poor, marksmanship is worse, and the lack of food, matches and candles is more important than any threat by the enemy." - Goodreads review.
(05 of21)
Lassoing the Sun: A Year in America's National Parks, By Mark Woods
Who it's for: The national parks junkie.What it's about: Author Mark Woods decides to spend a year visiting America's national parks and reconnect with his childhood and the outdoors. Before he's able to do so, his mom is diagnosed with cancer and given months to live. His plans change.Why you'll love it: "I was expecting a travelogue; I got a riveting adventure story. I was expecting the straightforward, rather dry prose of a newspaperman; I got the deft touch of a novelist." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The national parks junkie.What it's about: Author Mark Woods decides to spend a year visiting America's national parks and reconnect with his childhood and the outdoors. Before he's able to do so, his mom is diagnosed with cancer and given months to live. His plans change.Why you'll love it: "I was expecting a travelogue; I got a riveting adventure story. I was expecting the straightforward, rather dry prose of a newspaperman; I got the deft touch of a novelist." - Goodreads review.
(06 of21)
Double Cup Love: On the Trail of Family, Food, and Broken Hearts in China, By Eddie Huang
Who it's for: The family historian.What it's about: Eddie Huang lives a happy, successful life in New York City but after tensions bubble within his family, he begins to wonder: How Chinese am I? And so, he goes on a quest to China to find out — to heal his family, reconnect with his culture and to figure out whether he should marry his girlfriend.Why you'll love it: "[Huang] has a lot of interesting things to say about race, culture, and identity. Especially if you're a child of immigrant parents. But even if you aren't, you get a unique perspective and I always think it's important to read/listen/talk to people from as many different backgrounds as possible." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The family historian.What it's about: Eddie Huang lives a happy, successful life in New York City but after tensions bubble within his family, he begins to wonder: How Chinese am I? And so, he goes on a quest to China to find out — to heal his family, reconnect with his culture and to figure out whether he should marry his girlfriend.Why you'll love it: "[Huang] has a lot of interesting things to say about race, culture, and identity. Especially if you're a child of immigrant parents. But even if you aren't, you get a unique perspective and I always think it's important to read/listen/talk to people from as many different backgrounds as possible." - Goodreads review.
(07 of21)
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, By Cheryl Strayed
Who it's for: The adventure junkie who also loves a good memoir.What it's about: After a heartbreaking divorce, and the death of her mother, author Cheryl Strayed decides she will hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, despite having no hiking experience. Why you'll love it: "'Wild' is a beautifully descriptive story about loss, pain, nearly giving up, and pushing on. I felt like I was right there next to Cheryl, my pack so heavy, my feet bleeding and sore, filthy, hungry and lonely. I couldn't believe she kept going, but also would have been crushed if she hadn't." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The adventure junkie who also loves a good memoir.What it's about: After a heartbreaking divorce, and the death of her mother, author Cheryl Strayed decides she will hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, despite having no hiking experience. Why you'll love it: "'Wild' is a beautifully descriptive story about loss, pain, nearly giving up, and pushing on. I felt like I was right there next to Cheryl, my pack so heavy, my feet bleeding and sore, filthy, hungry and lonely. I couldn't believe she kept going, but also would have been crushed if she hadn't." - Goodreads review.
(08 of21)
The Wonder Trail: True Stories from Los Angeles to the End of the World, By Steve Hely
Who it's for: The backpacker who loves Central and South America.What it's about: Part travel book, part memoir, part comedy tome, the author goes on the trip of a lifetime from Los Angeles to the bottom of South America, including the Mayan ruins, the Panama Canal, the Amazon rainforest and beautiful Patagonia.Why you'll love it: "Hely doesn't share any personal issues, is open to just about any experience, has no particular axe to grind, and feels no need to either eat, pray or love to excess." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The backpacker who loves Central and South America.What it's about: Part travel book, part memoir, part comedy tome, the author goes on the trip of a lifetime from Los Angeles to the bottom of South America, including the Mayan ruins, the Panama Canal, the Amazon rainforest and beautiful Patagonia.Why you'll love it: "Hely doesn't share any personal issues, is open to just about any experience, has no particular axe to grind, and feels no need to either eat, pray or love to excess." - Goodreads review.
(09 of21)
On The Road, By Jack Kerouac
Who it's for: The dreamer who loves classic American roadtrips.What it's about: Sal Paradise (a.k.a. Kerouac) and his friend Dean Moriarty travel across the United States in the late 1940s looking for self-knowledge and experience, whether that means sex, booze, music, or freedom.Why you'll love it: "So, it seems, that there is a certain tragedy in this book, but that it is less important than the unavoidable glory that you come to associate with the road and freedom after following these guys on their crazy adventure. I think this book should be read by everyone who wants to know about America." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The dreamer who loves classic American roadtrips.What it's about: Sal Paradise (a.k.a. Kerouac) and his friend Dean Moriarty travel across the United States in the late 1940s looking for self-knowledge and experience, whether that means sex, booze, music, or freedom.Why you'll love it: "So, it seems, that there is a certain tragedy in this book, but that it is less important than the unavoidable glory that you come to associate with the road and freedom after following these guys on their crazy adventure. I think this book should be read by everyone who wants to know about America." - Goodreads review.
(10 of21)
Notes From A Small Island, By Bill Bryson
Who it's for: The Anglophile.What it's about: After spending nearly two decades in England, Bill Bryson decides to go back to his homeland, America, but not before he goes on a farewell tour of his beloved island.Why you'll love it: "Bryson is at his best when he goes off at a tangent and riffs on some unexpected topic. He explains why the British would have coped well under Communism (good at queuing, tolerant of dictatorships (Mrs Thatcher) and boring food)." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The Anglophile.What it's about: After spending nearly two decades in England, Bill Bryson decides to go back to his homeland, America, but not before he goes on a farewell tour of his beloved island.Why you'll love it: "Bryson is at his best when he goes off at a tangent and riffs on some unexpected topic. He explains why the British would have coped well under Communism (good at queuing, tolerant of dictatorships (Mrs Thatcher) and boring food)." - Goodreads review.
(11 of21)
On Trails: An Exploration, By Robert Moor
Who it's for: The trail lover. What it's about: While hiking through the Appalachian Trail, author Moor began to wonder about paths — how they emerge, why some fade away. For the next seven years, he travels the world, exploring all sorts of trails, both big and small, and ultimately asks: how do we each choose our own paths?Why you'll love it: "It was a fascinating and profound exploration of the meaning and impact of trails on our lives and on nature of this planet as a whole. Very intriguing stories." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The trail lover. What it's about: While hiking through the Appalachian Trail, author Moor began to wonder about paths — how they emerge, why some fade away. For the next seven years, he travels the world, exploring all sorts of trails, both big and small, and ultimately asks: how do we each choose our own paths?Why you'll love it: "It was a fascinating and profound exploration of the meaning and impact of trails on our lives and on nature of this planet as a whole. Very intriguing stories." - Goodreads review.
(12 of21)
Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life, By William Finnegan
Who it's for: Wave chasers.What it's about: Finnegan has been a surfer since he was a boy. In this memoir, he chases the big waves from city to city, all while revealing stories about his experiences with sexual politics, racism, drugs and male friendship.Why you'll love it: "Unashamed of his hedonistic lifestyle and sometimes youthful larceny, Finnegan bares all in this intimate memoir." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: Wave chasers.What it's about: Finnegan has been a surfer since he was a boy. In this memoir, he chases the big waves from city to city, all while revealing stories about his experiences with sexual politics, racism, drugs and male friendship.Why you'll love it: "Unashamed of his hedonistic lifestyle and sometimes youthful larceny, Finnegan bares all in this intimate memoir." - Goodreads review.
(13 of21)
The Other Paris, By Luc Sante
Who it's for: The person who keeps going back to the City of Light.What it's about: Paris is known for its glitz and glamour but what about the other part — the part where the poor, the criminals and the outcast live? The Other Paris explores that side of the city, which is so-often overlooked.Why you'll love it: "Brilliant history of the underground Paris, the city in the centuries before it got cleaned up, its streets straightened and widened by Haussmann, before it pushed its poor and problematic populations to the banlieues postwar and evolved into today's familiar capital of international tourism." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The person who keeps going back to the City of Light.What it's about: Paris is known for its glitz and glamour but what about the other part — the part where the poor, the criminals and the outcast live? The Other Paris explores that side of the city, which is so-often overlooked.Why you'll love it: "Brilliant history of the underground Paris, the city in the centuries before it got cleaned up, its streets straightened and widened by Haussmann, before it pushed its poor and problematic populations to the banlieues postwar and evolved into today's familiar capital of international tourism." - Goodreads review.
(14 of21)
Trespassing Across America: One Man's Epic, Never-Done-Before (and Sort of Illegal) Hike Across the Heartland, By Ken Ilgunas
Who it's for: The environmentalist.What it's about: Author Ken Ilgunas backpacks the entire length of the proposed route of the Keystone XL pipeline, almost exclusively walking on private property. During that time, he draws attention to global warming and figures out his limits (and if he has any).Why you'll love it: "This was a journey through North America to follow the path of a new oil pipe that will be/is being built, however it was also a journey into thought, into the heart of America, a reflection into what makes people have a specific set of beliefs that are so radically different than others, and sometimes so radically different than what they should be." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The environmentalist.What it's about: Author Ken Ilgunas backpacks the entire length of the proposed route of the Keystone XL pipeline, almost exclusively walking on private property. During that time, he draws attention to global warming and figures out his limits (and if he has any).Why you'll love it: "This was a journey through North America to follow the path of a new oil pipe that will be/is being built, however it was also a journey into thought, into the heart of America, a reflection into what makes people have a specific set of beliefs that are so radically different than others, and sometimes so radically different than what they should be." - Goodreads review.
(15 of21)
Into Thin Air, By Jon Krakauer
Who it's for: The mountain climber.What it's about: Journalist and avid mountaineer Jon Krakauer, along with others, climb Mt. Everest.Their jubilance is short-lived. A storm ends up claiming five lives and leaves many more — including the author — guilt-stricken for the rest of their lives. Here, he lays out what went wrong and whether he could have helped prevent the tragedy.Why you'll love it: "Into Thin Air reveals its speaker to be a climber with a conscience. Kraukauer [sic] loves climbing but is completely honest about the fact that such a dangerous sport so often puts one in the agonizing position of having to make life or death decisions under conditions that make clear thinking nearly impossible-- the cold, the lack of oxygen, the immense strain on the body at that great elevation." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The mountain climber.What it's about: Journalist and avid mountaineer Jon Krakauer, along with others, climb Mt. Everest.Their jubilance is short-lived. A storm ends up claiming five lives and leaves many more — including the author — guilt-stricken for the rest of their lives. Here, he lays out what went wrong and whether he could have helped prevent the tragedy.Why you'll love it: "Into Thin Air reveals its speaker to be a climber with a conscience. Kraukauer [sic] loves climbing but is completely honest about the fact that such a dangerous sport so often puts one in the agonizing position of having to make life or death decisions under conditions that make clear thinking nearly impossible-- the cold, the lack of oxygen, the immense strain on the body at that great elevation." - Goodreads review.
(16 of21)
Eat, Pray, Love, By Elizabeth Gilbert
Who it's for: The hopeless romantic.What it's about: Author Elizabeth Gilbert leaves behind her marriage, her home and her career to find herself on a trip that lasts a year and spans three countries.Why you'll love it: "[Gilbert] knows how to translate experience into wonderful words, and for one reason above all -- her courage to write honestly about an honest effort to live life well." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The hopeless romantic.What it's about: Author Elizabeth Gilbert leaves behind her marriage, her home and her career to find herself on a trip that lasts a year and spans three countries.Why you'll love it: "[Gilbert] knows how to translate experience into wonderful words, and for one reason above all -- her courage to write honestly about an honest effort to live life well." - Goodreads review.
(17 of21)
Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, By Hunter S. Thompson
Who it's for: The gonzo fiend.What it's about: Journalist Hunter S. Thompson takes the reader on a wild weekend road trip to Las Vegas, filled with drugs, booze and more drugs. All in the hopes of finding the American Dream.Why you'll love it: "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas IS Las Vegas. It's a nightmare, a joke, a blunder of comical, cosmically-fucked proportions. It's not Sin City. It's where Sin goes to die when it's embarrassed for itself. It's where families go on vacations with ten-year-olds, children who get handed fliers for prostitutes. It's the living, pulsing, filthing embodiment of the Holy Dollar." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The gonzo fiend.What it's about: Journalist Hunter S. Thompson takes the reader on a wild weekend road trip to Las Vegas, filled with drugs, booze and more drugs. All in the hopes of finding the American Dream.Why you'll love it: "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas IS Las Vegas. It's a nightmare, a joke, a blunder of comical, cosmically-fucked proportions. It's not Sin City. It's where Sin goes to die when it's embarrassed for itself. It's where families go on vacations with ten-year-olds, children who get handed fliers for prostitutes. It's the living, pulsing, filthing embodiment of the Holy Dollar." - Goodreads review.
(18 of21)
Run the World: My 3,500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around the Globe, By Becky Wade
Who it's for: The marathoner.What it's about: Marathoner and Olympic hopeful Becky Wade spends a year running more than 3,500 miles across nine countries. During this year, she spends time with 72 host families, investigates their running cultures, and reveals the secrets of successful runners.Why you'll love it: "The book captured the beauty of the sport as well as the desire to chase your goals, forming life long bonds, learning resilience as well as both eating and preparing delicious food." Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The marathoner.What it's about: Marathoner and Olympic hopeful Becky Wade spends a year running more than 3,500 miles across nine countries. During this year, she spends time with 72 host families, investigates their running cultures, and reveals the secrets of successful runners.Why you'll love it: "The book captured the beauty of the sport as well as the desire to chase your goals, forming life long bonds, learning resilience as well as both eating and preparing delicious food." Goodreads review.
(19 of21)
The Hour of Land: A Personal Topography of America's National Parks, By Terry Tempest Williams
Who it's for: The history buff.What it's about: Author Terry Tempest Williams chooses 12 famous American national parks, from Yellowstone to Big Bend, and takes us through the histories of these unique outdoor spaces and why they're a major part of American history.Why you'll love it: "Williams challenges us to think about how the land, and the people who lived on that land before the parks were established, are treated... I won't forget this book anytime soon." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The history buff.What it's about: Author Terry Tempest Williams chooses 12 famous American national parks, from Yellowstone to Big Bend, and takes us through the histories of these unique outdoor spaces and why they're a major part of American history.Why you'll love it: "Williams challenges us to think about how the land, and the people who lived on that land before the parks were established, are treated... I won't forget this book anytime soon." - Goodreads review.
(20 of21)
The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty, By Vendela Vida
Who it's for: The thrill seeker.What it's about: While in Morocco on business, a woman is robbed of her wallet and passport. Realizing that the police aren't on her side and that she has no identification, she all of a sudden has the freedom to be anyone she wants to be. Naturally, she goes on an adventure while living another, more intriguing, life.Why you'll love it: "Part madcap comedy of errors, part Kafka-esque nightmare, The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty is a cool and clever psychological thriller that displays Vida's signature lonely, emotionally disjointed woman traveling abroad." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The thrill seeker.What it's about: While in Morocco on business, a woman is robbed of her wallet and passport. Realizing that the police aren't on her side and that she has no identification, she all of a sudden has the freedom to be anyone she wants to be. Naturally, she goes on an adventure while living another, more intriguing, life.Why you'll love it: "Part madcap comedy of errors, part Kafka-esque nightmare, The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty is a cool and clever psychological thriller that displays Vida's signature lonely, emotionally disjointed woman traveling abroad." - Goodreads review.
(21 of21)
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders, By Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras and Ella Morton
Who it's for: The globe trotter.What it's about: This gorgeous book celebrates more than 600 of the strangest and most curious places in the world. Learn about the glowworm caves in New Zealand; the South African tree that's so big it has a pub inside and the Baby Jumping Festival in Spain.Why you'll love it: "This book collects places, objects, and monuments that you didn't know you wanted to find, but that you definitely need to know about. I highly recommend this for anyone who is curious about the most unusual and fascinating parts of our world." - Goodreads review.
Who it's for: The globe trotter.What it's about: This gorgeous book celebrates more than 600 of the strangest and most curious places in the world. Learn about the glowworm caves in New Zealand; the South African tree that's so big it has a pub inside and the Baby Jumping Festival in Spain.Why you'll love it: "This book collects places, objects, and monuments that you didn't know you wanted to find, but that you definitely need to know about. I highly recommend this for anyone who is curious about the most unusual and fascinating parts of our world." - Goodreads review.