The Five Best Travel Books for Women
I’m picky when it comes to the 5 best travel books ever written for women. The book needs to make me want to follow the path of the traveler, it must make me visualize where the traveler is going, and must have an adventure of spirit. Plus, it must speak to me as a woman. Here’s my list of the 5 best travel books ever written for women, not any specific order.
- On the Road by Jack Kerouac. This ground-breaking novel, written in a new freethinking style of its time, takes the reader on a wild adventure across the US during a time when folks were settling into the suburbs. If you love Denver, this is an especially good read.
- 3 mph:The Adventures of One Women’s Walk Around the World by Polly Letofsky. The first woman to walk around the world, Polly tells stories of triumph, failure, fun, and joy. Her personality shines through despite the monotony of step-after-step as she walks around the world.
- Thru. An Appalachian Trail Love Story by Richard Judy. I stumbled upon this book at the Hike Inn while hiking the Appalachian Trail. I was only able to finish a chapter or two before heading north on the trail, and when I finished my section hike, I craved to continue. The best way to continue hiking the AT was virtually through this book, and it keeps me sane until I can get back on the trail again.
- The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman. This title says it all, and it reminds me why I need to abandon the rules and just enjoy life.
- The Rough Guide to First Time Around the World by Doug Lansky. This Rough Guide helped me plan my Round the World trip. It didn’t cover everything I needed to know, but it certainly got my mind organized and focused around the things I wanted to know.
- Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman. I threw this one in for good measure. Ever thought about chucking it all and heading out on a solo trip? Rita did, and her itinerary is similar to mine.
And there you have it. The five best travel books ever written for women. In case you want to know, I generally go for the Kindle versions if I’ll be reading for business travel, and I carry them in my favorite backpack. If I’m traveling for recreation, though, I like the hard cover versions. They are more durable and I can read them easier in light, on the beach, or around water.
What is your favorite book? Please post here, as I’m always looking for the next great travel book to read!
I don’t have a favorite. I do love to read books where the location is almost a character. Then when I visit those locals I am thrilled when something is real!
Oh, I totally agree. Whenever I get ready to go on a trip, I always try to read a book that has the destination as its setting. I just got back from Paris, so of course I read Moveable Feast before venturing out!
Ann Vanderhoof wrote both Embarrassment of Mangoes and Spice Necklace. She and her husband worked in publishing and decided they needed a break. They put their belongings in storage and sailed down to the Caribbean. Both books made me salivate as I read through the recipes that she included. These are my two favorite travel books.
Those are GREAT suggestions, Susan. I will put them on my list right now!