A key ingredient to every packing list is a good book (or at least a device to read one on). My happy place is outside in the sunlight reading a book, and I bring a book with me every time I travel. My favorite nonfiction travel books are ones that teach readers something new while sprinkling in some comedic relief. Nobody likes reading something sounds like a textbook!
Whenever you ever find yourself yearning for an escape, I find that nothing can transport you to a far off destination quite like a masterfully crafted piece of writing. Travel writing is an especially fun category, and I find that nonfiction travel books are a great way to get away from the daily grind.
I have read plenty of books over the years that captured my attention. Below is a list of my favorite nonfiction books that taught me something new & helped me become a better traveler.
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A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
Somewhere in the last 10 years, young people decided that hiking was cool. This book is not that story.
Instead, Bill Bryson has put together a charming autobiographical account of his adventures & mishaps while hiking the Appalachian Trail with a friend. Bryson’s quirky personality shines through in his writing, and never has a book make me laugh out loud as much as A Walk In The Woods.
I love this book and recommend it to anyone who will listen to me blab about it. After years of believing the ultimate travel experiences were in far flung destinations, this book helped open up my eyes to the amazing treasures that Americans have in our own backyard. You don’t need to collect passport stamps to have the trip of a lifetime. Plus, my love of hiking was born out of this book.
Recommended for: anyone who has ever used the hashtag #OptOutside
The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization by Vince Beiser
This is a book all about sand. Seriously.
Before cracking this book open, I knew that sand was useful for some things. I wasn’t an expert, but I knew that glass was somehow made of sand and I had heard that beaches needed maintaining.
However, nothing could prepare me for how much The World in a Grain would blow my mind. All of a sudden, everything around me started to look more connected & intertwined. As someone who studied supply chain & sustainability in college, the idea of sand being the foundation of modern life seemed revolutionary.
This book touches on everything from secret sand heists to countries literally expanding their borders. It will not take long for you to realize just how overlooked sand is. I promise that you will never be able to view the world again after reading this book.
Recommended for: beach lovers, city dwellers, and anyone who enjoys having their worldview shattered
Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World by Jeff Gordinier
Food critic Jeff Gordinier chronicles the years-long adventures he experiences alongside Ren Redzepi, the mastermind behind world-famous Noma. This book shows people what the world looks like through a chef’s eyes, and what better chef to follow than Redzepi?
Food lovers, rejoice. This book comes alive with intense descriptions of the tastes & smells of a world-class restaurant. Hungry straddles the line between travel book & memoir by giving you a glimpse of what it takes to get a Redzepi-led restaurant off the ground.
Gordinier’s background in food & wine coupled with Redzepi’s sheer brilliance create a pairing that will take readers on a culinary trip around the globe. This book illustrates what it means to be on a quest for perfection.
Recommended for: Noma enthusiasts, aspiring restaurateurs, and food lovers in general
Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste by Bianca Bosker
Wine is ridiculously complex. In this book, journalist Bianca Bosker starts from square one and dives headfirst into the wonderful world of wine.
Cork Dork follows the author’s journey as she joins forces with wine nerds in her pursuit to understand what makes them tick. From training to be a sommelier to learning about the science behind taste, Bosker takes readers along on her delightful adventure.
As someone whose interest in wine grew with every trip to a new wine-producing region, Cork Dork was a fun & inviting way to delve deeper into the topic. In an industry full of wine encyclopedias and dry academic essays, this lighthearted approach to wine is the perfect way to get your feet wet. After reading Bosker’s Cork Dork, I feel much more confident when visiting a new winery or pairing wine with dinner.
Recommended for: those who can enjoy wine without necessarily caring about which Bordeaux chateau it came from
Conclusion
There are not enough hours in a lifetime to read through the world’s libraries, but I have plenty of time available for reading while flying nonrev trips. I am always on the lookout for recommendations to add to my reading list.
Do you have a favorite nonfiction travel book? Drop a link in the comments below!
Writer’s note: I hope to continue adding to this list as I find new books that make as much of an impact on me as these.
