Adventure, Nonfiction & Fiction Travel Books
| Zaatar Days, Henna Nights: Adventures, Dreams, and Destinations Across the Middle East by Maliha Masood |
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Beth Says: On the top of my list of favorites right now. This is the story of a woman’s journey through the Middle East via her heart, her spirit and her mind. Fascinating read! |
| Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder |
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Beth Says: Extremely well written biography of Dr. Paul Farmer who has set out to transform the way the health care system deals with tuberculosis in developing countries. Could easily be a dry topic but is not in the hands of author Tracy Kidder. |
| Tracks by Robyn Davidson |
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Beth Says: One of a handful of inspirational books that I read early in my solo travels that got me thinking that we can do anything we set our minds to. Robyn traverses the desert of Western Australia with camels. |
| From Alice to Ocean: Alone Across the Outback | |
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Beth Says: The accompanying coffee table photo book for Tracks. |
| Desert Places by Robyn Davidson | |
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Beth Says: Less than ideal circumstances for Robyn’s camel journey through Rajasthan, India. She’s a great writer but this was not a dream journey by any means. |
| Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi | |
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Beth Says: Another formative book in my early solo travels. Tania was the first youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo. |
| Travels by Michael Crichton | |
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Beth Says: You might associate Michael with sci-fi but this is mostly about his travels and perspectives on the subject. |
| The House on Dream Street: Memoir of an American Woman in Vietnam by Dana Sachs | |
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Beth Says: One of my favorite non-fiction books about Vietnam. It follows Dana’s experiences as an expat in Hanoi. |
| Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull | |
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Beth Says: A funny and insightful memoir of Sarah’s time in Paris as she gets to know the new love of her life as well as the culture and country. |
| Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes |
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Beth Says: A classic. If you haven’t read it, do. |
| Travels Along the Edge: 40 Ultimate Adventures for the Modern Nomad–From Crossing the Sahara to Bicycling Through Vietnam by David Noland | |
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Beth Says: Not for the faint of heart, this guide outlines 40 adventures and a how-to to get you there. You might want a tad of travel experience before taking one of these journeys on. |
| Adventure Travel in the Third World: Everything You Need To Know To Survive in Remote and Hostile Destinations by Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin | |
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Beth Says: The title says it all. Although you may not need a guide book to get you through some of the third world’s trials and tribulations, this book will certainly help you build your confidence and get you started. |
| The Tofu Tollbooth by Dar Williams et al | |
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Beth Says: Where’s the Tofu? Following singer/songwriter Dar Williams across the USA, this book compiles lists of natural-food stores and eating spots that us veggies should not miss. |
| Vegetarian Restaurants and Natural Food Stores in the U. S.: A Comprehensive Guide to Over 2,500 Vegetarian Eateries by John Howley | |
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Beth Says: 2,500 listing should be enough to keep you healthy and happy on that next cross country road trip! |
| Healthy Highways: The Traveler’s Guide to Healthy Eating by Nikki and David Goldbeck |
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Beth Says: Innovative guide that includes over 1,900 listings for healthy stores across the USA so that you don’t have to settle for fatty fast food. |
| Hanoi Stories by Pamela Scott | |
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Beth Says: From an expat who spent eight years in Hanoi with the locals (rather than in the expat community). |
| The Book of Salt: A Novel by Monique Truong | |
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Beth Says: A sweet fictional book about a Vietnamese cook in the house of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas in Paris. One of the best pieces of fiction I’ve ever read. |