On most of my trips, I bring along a good book to read. Sometimes it’s the National Geographic book or travel guide of the place I am visiting. Other times, it is fiction books that I can’t leave behind at home. I usually read if we have long flights, layovers or sometimes I just like to read while sipping on some coffee.
This list of books are not all travel related, except a couple. However, I always learn about a new topic, place or concept each time I read a book. This allows my traveling to become more meaningful and thoughtful. I am more mindful about things and I can easily relate and understand how things around the world work. The following are some of my must read books as well as a few other ones that I enjoyed!
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
This has to be one of my all time favorite books. Even though I have known about Jodi Picoult, this was when I started loving her books! The storyteller is an intriguing story about an old man, who confides in a young girl about his past. He befriends the young lady and asks her to kill him because he is tired of living with guilt. The reason? You have to find out yourself. This book really taught me about the Holocaust in a way that school never did. Really an eye opener!
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
This is another one of my favorite books by Jodi Picoult. I loved elephants before I read this book, but after I read it, I love and respect them to another level. This was a book I could not put down. It’s a story about a little girl trying to find what happened to her mother, who was an expert on elephants. With a big twist in the end, this book had me thinking for a week after reading it. I wanted to go back and reread the beginning with the knowledge I had at the end of the book.
How to be a Bawse by Lilly Singh
Lilly Singh or Superwoman needs no introduction. I used to watch every single one of her videos. I still keep up with her new show on NBC late nights (but during the mornings). This is a great motivational book, especially for young girls who need that extra push or extra word of comfort and advice. It makes a great gift and it’s totally relatable regardless of what race/age/religion you are, what you do and where you live.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
I got this book as a gift and started reading it almost instantly. Having read Kite Runner in high school and knowing this was by the same author, I knew this book would not disappoint. I figured this will also be a great book and indeed, it was! A thousand Splendid Suns was more understandable to be because of the culture and characters. It’s an unforgettable story about two women from different generations, who come together and help each other in a unexpected way. It contains many controversial and cultural issues from a woman”s point of view.
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
This book was another one that really made me think. I read it in just a few days and I burst into tears at the very end of it. Jodi writes in such a way that really captures your mind and until you finish the book, this is all you can think about. What was a big coincidence during the time I read this book was that there was a similar death penalty case going on in the real world. It really made me think about issues such as the death penalty, loyalty and fate.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho is mostly famously known for his book, The Alchemist. If you had to pick one of his books, make it this one. This book inspired me to travel to Spain and Morocco, which I did the year after reading this. Even though it is a harder to understand, it has many good messages and lessons. There are many parts I re-read and even go back to for reference. It’s one of those books you should have on your bookshelf!
Aleph by Paulo Coelho
The Aleph was the second book by Paulo Coelho I’ve read. Aleph is about Coelho’s train journey through Russia and the people he meets on the way. It’s main topic is spirituality and makes us think about what path we are on. It also has several good morals and quotes to ponder on. This was a harder read and I probably would not recommend unless you are Coelho fan!
“Travel is never a matter of money but of courage” – Aleph
Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho
I was a little hesitant to start reading this book but once I started, I finished it rather quickly. This book is about a young lady who decides to take her life, but survives from the attempt. As a result of this, she now has a heart condition and is sent to a mental hospital in a different city. The rest of the story revolves around her realization of the fact that she hasn’t even begun to live her life yet. Some parts of the book relate to the time the author himself was in a mental institution.
I have been tempted to get this collection, which includes 10 of his books. It’s only $40, which comes out to just $4 per book! Which is much better than buying them all separate, which is what most people end up doing anyways.
Tribe of Mentors by Timothy Ferris
Even though I still haven’t finished this book, so far it’s great! It’s one of those books you don’t want to read all in a week. There is so much information and good content to absorb that you want to take your time to process it. Tribe of Mentors is a collection of advice and answers to several carefully thought-out questions, by successful people from Neal Stephenson to Tony Hawk.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
I read the book Life of Pi a while back, but I still vividly remember it. It was a great book and much better version than the movie. This story is about Pi Patel, a young Indian boy who gets stuck on a boat with a Bengal tiger from his father’s zoo! Yes, I said tiger. The story goes on to show how he survived on the boat for over two hundred days. I saw the first quarter of the movie and stopped it because I felt the book held the surprise element which the movie gave away rather instantly.
Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Help was one of the first books I’ve read and I loved it. It tells the story of a African American helper that belonged to a white family. Although it showed the difficult sides of race inequality, it was a hilarious and somewhat comforting book. I remember taking it with me to a clinic so I can read it when I have free time or during my lunch break. It’s an easy read, so it’s a great choice for beginners. If you have to choose between watching the movie or reading the book, always read the book first!
Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
Another winner by Jodi Picoult. Even though it doesn’t top the first two on my list, it’s still one of Jodi’s greatest. Keeping Faith is about a woman who catches her husband cheating and then having to fight for her daughter’s custody. It’s about a mother’s love and about keeping faith through difficult times in life. Although it’s fiction, it made you think about life, death and God, regardless of your religious beliefs.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
This is different than the other ones on the list, but I still recommend it! I had to get past the first chapter to like the author, but once I did, the rest of the book went by quickly. For someone like me, who used to take everything so personally and to heart, this book gave me the reality check I needed.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Wow! What a book! This is a brutal story written in the form of letters to God and letters between siblings. I had read this back in high school at some point, but when you’re forced to read something, it doesn’t really stick. When I read it now, I am blown away by this book and it’s brutality. I would definitely recommend putting this on your must read list if you already haven’t read it!
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
This book changed my whole outlook on finances and money. It’s also changed the way I look at life and I wish I had read it earlier on. If there is a list of must read books before you turn 30, this should be on there. Rich dad, poor dad is about two completely different view points about money and where these outlooks take you. This isn’t the kind of thing you learn in school or college, but somewhere outside of that, if your lucky. I even took notes while reading this book! And without a professor telling me to! Shocked? Yes, me too!
How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price
How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price was a book I needed to read! Check out the full review of the book here!
Did you like this list of book recommendations? This will be a growing list, but in the mean time, if you have any thoughts, comment below! Let me know what your must read books include! Also, check out my Travel Must Have for some great travel necessities and gifts!
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