Adra Writes

Since we have all been grounded for a long time now, I thought it might be nice to share some great books to read when we aren’t perusing flight schedules for 10 years from now. Be sure all the books listed have been read by yours truly (except one). Some of these are my long-time favorites, and I hope you enjoy! Also, several of these books are movies. So, if you are not into reading or feeling lazy, you can get some good travel inspiration in a 2-hour visual version instead.

Non-Fiction Books

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

At the top of the list, and my heart, is the best adventure/travel/life journey book you may ever read. I discovered this book after watching the movie version when I was fourteen years old. It is solely responsible for inspiring me to go and see the world without fear or hesitation.

This novel is based on a true story about a young man, Christopher McCandless (later known as Alexander Supertramp), and chronicles his 2 years tramping around North America. After graduating from Emory University and placating his insatiable parents, he leaves. He burns his identity, donates his trust fund, and sets off to see America and live a life untethered to society. His journey takes him all the way to Alaska to live off the land.

It is the perfect read, and I cannot say enough about this book to encourage friend or stranger to read. If nothing else, watch the movie. The movie does the book justice, so you can be satisfied that you got the full picture after watching.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Chery Strayed

This memoir tells of Chery Strayed’s 1,100 mile (almost) thru hike on the Pacific Crest Trail to find herself after the death of her mother and subsequent collapse of her marriage. It is a raw, dirty, honest, sorrowful recount about her journey “to walk (herself) back to the woman (her) mother thought (she) was.” It is a read worth reading, and her story is truly inspiring that we can all overcome the shitiest of times in our life and come out other side the person we were meant to be.

Wild was also made into a relatively famous movie in 2014, also titled Wild, with Reese Witherspoon portraying Cheryl Strayed. The movie is a great watch if you don’t want to read the book; however, I encourage reading the book because the movie does leave out some interesting details and side stories. With that said, this movie has an amazing soundtrack and great videography that fills the soul. Really, it is a great movie, but of course the book is better.

The Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevara

Published in 1992, this short memoir chronicles the wild adventure of two young men who, travelled through South America for nine months on, you guessed it, motorcycles. Che Guevara is more famously known as an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, but this memoir focuses on his early times when he was just a medical student. However, this odyssey exposed Guevara to the injustices throughout South America that would later make him the controversial political revolutionary that he became.

This is such a short read (about 150 pages) that it could be read in a day or over a weekend, so don’t hesitate to pick it up.

 Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Another Krakauer you say? The man is amazing and has lived a life worth writing about. This book is a personal recount of his 1996 expedition up Mt. Everest that led to 8 people dying and several others stranded in a storm. It is the third worst accident to ever happen on the famous mountain, and it is a jaw dropping story to read about from a first-hand perspective. He tells of the culture surrounding extreme mountaineers that literally go to the ends of the earth for an adventure.

For myself, the most interesting details of the book are about the physical view and conditions of the elusive Mt. Everest. Dead bodies of those who couldn’t afford to air lift their loved ones stay frozen in time among the clouds. Oxygen tanks littering the routes to the top of the world. Krakauer has a captivating style that can entertain anyone. Honestly, all his books would be suitable for a person who wants to learn more about the subculture of extreme mountaineering.

Do not confuse this with the documentary on Netflix: Into Thin Air. It is entirely different, but still a good watch if you like Icelandic murder mysteries.

Tracks: A Woman’s Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback

by Robyn Davidson

As the title suggests, this is a memoir by Robyn Davidson who travels across the Australian outback. What the title does not include is that she did this on camelback. She had a total of 4 camels and dog with her as she made this long journey. It is really a wild story and I have not crossed another travel log such as this one. It is truly unique and amazing that a real person accomplished this adventure. This book is also a movie if you would like the visually stimulating version instead (it is a great movie, but with a love angle).

A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain

Disclaimer: This is the only book on this list I have not read.

I am including this book, although I have not read it, because Anthony Bourdain was a culinary and travel god like no other in the 20^th and 21^st centuries. Watching his series inspired me to learn more about food while traveling and encouraged me to learn more about Asian cooking. If you agree that food is one of your favorite aspects of traveling, then (we) should read this book.

Fiction Books

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This novel is on so many must read lists across the internet for a reason. The Alchemist is a great introduction novel to the magical realism genre. At the beginning we meet a young shepherd, Santiago, who longs to see the world. He leaves his sheep and sets board a ferry to present day Morocco where his journey really begins. He meets other people who help him along his journey, not unlike our own life odysseys. It is worth all the hype to read if you have not already. It is a classic that should be on high school reading lists all around the world. 

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

I could write an entire thesis on my love for Cormac McCarthy. I struggled as to which of his books would be most apt for this list. I decided this one would be best because the title is fitting, and it is a classic McCarthy read.

This is a dystopian / post-apocalyptic novel about a man and a son traveling across what was America in search of something better. The world has literally gone to shit in this novel and readers might think that this man and son are the only living beings left. There is total darkness, freezing temperatures, no more resources, ash falling from the sky for no apparent reason, and beautiful writing on every page.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol

While we have all seen the movies, have we read the infamous novel? I read this a couple years ago in just two days. It was a great read and very engaging. From an adult perspective you can understand how crazy Lewis Carrol was. I always enjoy a bit of psychosis from my authors. I think it makes for a better story and therefore better reading. Also, our imaginations are the best travel destination for the moment, and this book is a great place to start.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The final book on this list is another classic in American literature. This book follows the Joad family from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression era. The family’s farm is overtaken and left dry from the Dust Bowl when they begin the arduous journey westwards. The journey is long and depressing, the ending is truly horrifying. This is a beautiful book and Steinbeck does an amazing job of describing the horrors and destitution of what was happening in the United States during this time.

Travel back in time to an era we can all be grateful we did not have to live through.

That’s it guys! I would love to hear in the comments if you have read any of these books and what you think of them. Let me know if I missed any of your favorite books that inspire travel in you!