5 Books to Inspire Your Wanderlust

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” While I agree with Saint Augustine’s quote above, I have read some pages that were able to transport me to different parts of the world. On this post, I share five of my favourite books that inspire wanderlust through setting descriptions so vivid that they captured my imagination.

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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

No list about books that inspire wanderlust is complete without this one! It is about a young shepherd who yearns to travel the world. We join him on his journey from Andalusia to Egypt as he follows his heart, goes with the flow of the universe, and learns about love and the meaning of life.

The book is filled with Paulo Coelho’s most popular inspirational quotes. My favourite being: “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” The Alchemist for me is about finding yourself during your journey, listening to your heart, and living your dreams.

If you were looking for a book to inspire you to keep reaching your for your dreams or for general inspiration to go out there and see the world, look no further…

The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara

This is Ernesto Guevara’s autobiography recounting his 1952 journey across South America on La Poderosa II – a worn out motorcycle, with his friend Alberto Granado. Following the two friends through their adventures (and misadventures), this book is part travel journal and coming-of-age story. At first, the book centers on the youthful hedonism of two boys from the middle class. The tone of the book changes as the boys’ encounters with impoverished, indigenous populations of Latin America profoundly changes them.

To me, young Che’s observances about Latin America is very relatable. I think South America is a beautiful continent but with a tragic underpinning that I couldn’t quite articulate. This book does a wonderful job defining that feeling for me. I have since, in a way, retraced Guevara’s The Motorcycle Diaries. Tragically, the social problems that Che observed and described over 60 years ago are still prevalent today. I highly recommend this read to anyone who has ever been touched by Latin America.

To date, this book has been the most influential on my travel plans. It is definitely one of those books that inspire my wanderlust every time I pick it up. Guevara’s depictions of rich cultures that existed in the Americas before the Spanish conquest inspired me travel and learn about those cultures. Another personal takeaway from this book is to always travel with an open mind and an understanding heart.

Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer

This book follows an Austrian mountaineer who happened to be in the Himalayas during the outbreak of World War II. This is Heinrich Harrer’s account of his escape from a British interment camp in the Indian Himalayas and into Tibet. Harrer shares how he befriended the Dalai Lama during his time in Tibet and what he witnessed during Tibet’s incorporation into the People’s Republic of China. Seven Years in Tibet provides Harrer’s detailed insights on Tibet, the Tibetan people, and the Himalayan landscape.

Admittedly, watching the movie adaptation of this book inspired me to visit Tibet. I bought the book after watching the movie to learn more about Harrer’s Tibet. At first, I had a tough time getting through the book since it was written in another era and translated into English. I was able to get through the book faster after my return from Tibet.

Harrer’s book is a gem in that it provides valuable insights into a Tibet that no longer exists. Before the 1950s, the territory did not welcome foreigners. This makes Harrer’s account as a foreigner that lived in Tibet very rare. I loved Seven Years in Tibet because I think it is a depiction of most travellers’ fantasy. It depicts the adventures of an ordinary young person in an extraordinary place during extraordinary times with extraordinary people. This book gave me an appreciation for the places and practices that I saw during my time in the region.

The Beach by Alex Garland

The Beach is about backpackers in Thailand in search for an idyllic paradise that is untouched by mass tourism. The main character eventually finds a fabled Beach that is as beautiful and idyllic as it is reputed to be. A small community of international backpackers had set up camp at the Beach. For all its natural beauty, the main character soon realizes that the Beach is more Lord of the Flies than tropical Utopia.

I LOVE this novel! I read this in high school and is (probably) what sparked my interest in travelling and finding places that are off the beaten path. The book was published in 1996 and quickly became a cult classic amongst Gen X readers. With social media having a major influence on mass tourism today, I think that this book would resonate with younger generations as well.

I think many travellers start their journeys with the romanticized vision of getting off the beaten path and doing something different than all the other tourists. For many, this paradise is elusive. My takeaway from this novel is that while finding unspoiled, natural beauty would be awesome, finding beauty in the everyday life of the locals might be much more worthwhile to explore. This earned its spot on my list of books to inspire wanderlust.

The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan

This novel follows three generations of women from San Francisco in the late 1800s to turn of the century Shanghai and mainland China. The book is about mother-daughter relationships with pivotal moments in Chinese history serving as the backdrop.

This epic sweeps through the collapse of China’s last imperial dynasty, the rise of the Republic, the explosive growth of lucrative foreign trade and anti-foreign sentiment, and the inner workings of courtesan houses. It also explores the lives of the foreign “Shanghailanders” living in the International Settlement, a community that is eradicated by World War II.

I visited Shanghai without barely any context on the city and its history. I was struck by the blend of culture from the East and West, as well as the (ultra) modern and traditional all in one city. By the time I reached Shanghai, I had been exploring the history of Imperial China for two weeks. Therefore, the colonial-era architecture of the International Settlements in Shanghai peaked my interest.

The Valley of Amazement breathed new life into my travel pics from Shanghai for me. Amy Tan’s depiction of Nanjing Road and the Bund at the turn of the century never fails to transport me back to those places. I wish I read this book prior to my trip to better appreciate the geography and history of the city. This is why I am recommending it here.

For more like this, check out: 5 Books to Transport You (When Travelling Is Not An Option)

Did you find these books to inspire wanderlust as well? Is there a book that has inspired you to travel to specific place? I can talk about awe inspiring books any day and would love to hear from you in the comments below…