Books are the easiest way to transport yourself to another place or even another world. I have been obsessed with books since a child. Here are my Tops 7 books to read while traveling or when you need an escape in between travel adventures.

1. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
2. Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Berniers
3. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
4. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
5. Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
6. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
7. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood

Trevor Noah’s memoir contains so many memorable characters and moments. And all of it happened. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. You’ll fall in love with Trevor’s indomitable mother.

Corelli’s Mandolin

If you love words and all that they can do, you’ll love reading this book. De Bernier creates a fictional world set in the early days of WWII, before Greece was invaded by Mussolini. The characters are rich and complex, amusing and lovable. But please please PLEASE do NOT watch the 2001 film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Just enjoy the book and realize it’s probably too complex and epic to try to translate onto the big screen.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Cheryl Strayed’s story of her journey is famous, and for good reason. The writing is superb and is a great reminder that some of the most transformative adventures can happen when you travel alone.

Pachinko

An intense family saga, Pachinko transports you to Korea and Japan during the second world war. The historic detail of the setting is phenomenal. The story is so deeply detailed, you might feel daunted by the length of this book. But it’s so well written and the characters are so compelling that you won’t be able to put it down.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette

After reading this book, you’ll want to book a trip to Antarctica as soon as possible. There’s a big world out there, and Bernadette reminds us of that in this modern story.

Love in the Time of Cholera

Just a beautiful love story written by someone who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. No big deal. Seriously though, it’s a timeless story about love set in Columbia. Florentino and Fermina prove that a lot can happen and anything is possible during a lifetime.

The God of Small Things

One of the most unique stories I have ever read, The God of Small Things pulls you into the fate of an affluent Indian family. A heartbreaking tale, and you’ll be moved and amazed by the author’s abilities. It’s one of those books worth re-reading to experience the sheer magic of the narration. 

What are some of your favorite books that transport you?