“That’s the place to get to—nowhere. One wants to wander away from the world’s somewheres, into our own nowhere.”
For many, 2022 was the year to get back out and see the world. With all the delays and disruptions caused by the pandemic thankfully coming (largely) to a close, people finally got the wanderlust bug and a real to tick some places off their travel bucket list. Some of the best travel writers were also on hand to help these travellers out with some breathtaking reads aimed at capturing the stunning variety of locations we have across the planet. Join us here at What We Reading as we take a look through 8 of the best travel books from 2022.
The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World – Jessica Nabongo
Jessica Nabongo is the first recorded woman in history to travel to every country on the planet, and her 2022 travel book, The Catch Me if You Can is her intimate recounting of how she visited 195 different nations.
A stunning achievement that she completed back in 2019, Nabongo’s personal memoir sees her go into detail about the inspiration behind her journey, and recount some scarcely-believable tales from her 100 favourite destinations. From Norway, North Korea, to Nauru, The Catch Me If You Can is an inspiring story perfect for fuelling those armchair travellers with a real wanderlust craving.
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Walking With Nomads – Alice Morrison
TV presenter and all-around adventurer Alice Morrison whisks readers off on a stunning and thought-provoking trek across three of the Earth’s most stunning locations in Walking With Nomads.
In what is one of the best travel books from 2022, Morrison details her journeys across Morocco, the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains, accompanied only by three Muslim guides and their camel companions. From unearthing giant dinosaur footprints to deadly vipers and active minefields, Walking With Nomads is a resource that tackles the conservative social norms in the region, as well as the growing imprints left in the wake of climate change.
Zero Altitude: How I Learned to Fly Less and Travel More – Helen Coffey
With the potentially irreversible threats climate change is having on our planet, travellers have had to weigh up how they can see more of the world sustainably. Private jets and short-distance flights have become two of the hotly-discussed aspects of this, and it is that point journalist Helen Coffey taps into in Zero Altitude.
Following her on her journey to trek as far as possible without ever taking a flight, Coffey utilises foot, car, boat, bike and train and meets with climate change experts and activists at the frontlines of the flight-free movement.
Into Iraq – Michael Palin
Iraq is nestled in a geographical region known as ‘the cradle of civilisation’. In Into Iraq, Michael Palin takes readers on a journey through this extraordinary part of the world, examining how this once-advanced and blossoming state has been ravaged by decades of warfare and violence.
But whilst the graffiti-strewn sewers underneath Saddam Hussein’s palaces and the war-torn suburbs of Mosul paint their own pictures, Palin’s trademark warmth and humour still find a way of delivering moments of hope for the future. From New Year celebrations in Akre to poetry reading in Baghdad, Into Iraq really is a stunning read.
Imagine A City: A Pilot’s Journey Across the Urban World – Mark Vanhoenacker
Named a Financial Times Best Summer Book of 2022, Imagine a City is the unique love letter to the world’s biggest urban metropolises from Mark Vanhoenacker. An airline pilot for over two decades, Vanhoenacker often dreamt of wondrous cities far away across the globe, and his occupation has allowed him to see some of the world’s most famous places in a wholly unique way.
Often only stopping in a place for the briefest of spells month after month and year after year, Imagine a City offers readers a travel memoir from a perspective few others can boast.
Shape Of A Boy: Family Life Lessons in Far Flung Places – Kate Wickers
Shape of a Boy is the laugh-out-loud travel memoir from seasoned writer Kate Wickers. In one of the best memoirs from 2022, Wickers lives out her longstanding motto of ‘have kids, will travel’ by detailing her travels across the Far East with her young family.
From Thailand, Malaysia all the way to Japan, Wickers’ novel is for the parents and carers itching to see the world beyond the ‘safe’ all-inclusives most are relegated to when it comes to planning a trip.
SOLO – Jenny Tough
Six continents and 4,582 km across some of the most treacherous and demanding locations on the planet – SOLO is the story behind one of the astounding achievements from Jenny Tough.
Setting out with the aim of running across six different mountain ranges across six different continents: the Tien Shan, the High Atlas, the Bolivian Andes, the Southern Alps, the Canadian Rockies & the Transylvanian Alps, SOLO is a journey of immense determination and discovery completed over five years. It is easily one of the most inspiring real-life adventure books from 2022, told in stunning detail by Tough.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
