Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination and the journey.
Anna Quindlen
Books are a way to shine light on new pathways. They open as sweetly as autumn leaves. And upon their leaves are words for the soul, a poetry that asks the core of their reader for a dance.
And so it often is when one dreams about travel or starts planning a journey for a new destination.
I always welcome the next journey with an open mind and happy heart. Often, the journey is not about the arrival point, nor the destination. The journey is about the traveling and one’s traveling companions, the learning and the joy of shared experiences.
It is now autumn and the time of year that makes me crave a warm cup of tea and a dedicated daydreaming session about my next destination. Though there’s an endless array of online content to get your itineraries up and running, sometimes cracking open a good old-fashioned book is just the ticket to inspire your next adventure. (Or your tablet!)
Whether you’re in the mood for a whirlwind vacation romance saga or seeking wisdom from tried and true travel guides, here are some recommended must-reads for a fall fun of exciting escapades, momentous memories and trips to top off your travel bucket list!
Memoirs to Inspire Travel
Hiking the Camino de Santiago | Spain (inspired by Walking with Sam)
There’s nothing quite like strolling down the memory lane of a particularly perfect trip. With these recommendations, you’ll be reminded and inspired of all the good, the bad, the ugly — and the exhilaration that comes with wanderlust.
Walking with Sam, by Andrew McCarthy: After a fast and furious youth, iconic 80’s actor, Andrew McCarthy found himself wanting to freeze time in adulthood. Before he could be ready to see his son, Sam, leave home, McCarthy needed to solidify the kind of bond that distance could never break. Embarking on an epic journey across Spain’s Camino de Santiago, the pair unlocked a deeper level of their relationships with each other and themselves than they ever thought possible. (This is a great read for anyone, and especially those that are sending their kids off to college or out of the house with new careers. Pro Tip: Listen to the audible version as both Andrew and Sam poignantly narrate their experiences and feelings.)
I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNichol: In this romp through post-quarantining Paris, a single woman “of a certain age,” braves a solo journey of bombastic self-pleasure, adult friendships, feasts, parties and intimate exploration.
Amuse Bouche by Carolyn Boyd: Equal parts travel diary, recipe book and history lesson, French gastronomist Carolyn Boyd cooks up a literary feast containing all things France that’s as mouth-watering as it is masterfully written. (Pro Tip: Do not read on an empty stomach.)
Slow Trains to Istanbul by Tom Chesshyre: On a journey spanning the Italian countryside to the back alleys of Bulgaria, this memoir is bible for all travelers ready to ride the rails across 4,570-miles of adventure, excitement and even danger.
Fiction Books to Inspire Travel
Small English Town | Inspired by Echo in Time
Kick back your heels and travel vicariously through the pages of one of these novels.
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler: This national bestseller turned TV show features the thrilling tale of a country girl thrust into the exotic and addictive underbelly of one of New York City’s most exclusive restaurants.
You are Here by David Nicholls: Michael and Marnie set out separately to seek the escapism of solitude, but life has other plans. On a rainy, muddy and fog laden ten-day hike, they discover what it makes to become unstuck, unarmed and utterly unable to live without the one person they thought would be their undoing.
All Fours by Miranda July: What begins as an artist’s cross-country adventure from California to New York abruptly transforms into a journey of self-discovery when she decided to hole up in an LA motel room and examine who she is behind closed doors.
An Echo in Time by Boo Walker: An obsessive investigation into a centuries-old murder leads one woman to a small English town that contains the key to cracking the case, but causes her past, present and future to collide, threatening the life she thought she knew.
Travel Guide Books to Inspire Travel
While most folks this of this as an antiquated genre, a truly great travel guide can be the difference between the trip of a lifetime and a vacation from hell. Full of humor, handy advice, and honesty, these guides are your best travel hack.
Why We Travelby Ash Bhardwaj: While most books of this genre focus on helping readers achieve successful trips to specific destinations, this one endeavors to guide us through the origins of our very desire to travel in the first place. Personal anecdotes, psychology, and sociology provide a portal through which we can all examine what we truly want out of travel . . . and why.
Europe Through the Back Door by Rick Steves: With a decades long career of travel under his belt, Steves is full of expert advice. Many novice tourists suffer the stress of rookie mistakes. Yet, with this book in your carry-on, you’ll have the European trip of your dreams.
East Coasting by Christine Chitnis & Monica Dorazewski: There’s no better season to sightsee in New England than autumn. With illustrations that bring all the colors and characters of this region alive, this road tripping guide will take you on the ride of a life from Connecticut to Canada.
Best in Travel 2024 by Lonely Planet: With 2024’s end on the horizon, take a look back at the year’s top travel destinations so you can plan ahead for all 2025’s trips! With 50 featured hotspots, handcrafted itineraries, and hard-earned advice from LP’s staff and readership, this book will guide you to your next favorite adventure.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons to travel, for many reasons. From cheaper prices to picturesque scenery, there’s a plethora of reasons to explore this autumn. Whether it’s for a day trip or the destination of your dreams, I hope this reading gives you a heady dose of travel inspiration for wherever you wish to go!
