“There is something about the momentum of travel that makes you want to just keep moving, to never stop.”
American actor Danny Kaye once remarked that: “to travel is to take a journey into yourself”, and that self-discovery continues to remain one of the biggest influences behind people’s quests to see the world. Whether it be for a week or a lifetime, a change of surroundings can reset the mind, inspire motivation and provide a sense of achievement that few other experiences in life can supply. To help you get in the mood for your next big trip, check out What We Reading as we run you through 7 great books about travel and self-discovery.
All The Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr
2015 Pulitzer Prize winner, All The Light We Cannot See is a striking and beautiful piece of fiction from Anthony Doerr.
Set in Occupied France during the Second World War, this bestseller follows a blind French girl and a German boy whose lives collide during humanity’s most destructive conflict. Delivered with far more imagination and a beautiful sense of scenery than any other WW2 novel, it is a touching book about self-discovery and how humans will cling to being good to one another, even during the darkest of days.
Want to see more of Paris? Check out the best Travel books about France!
Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin
Lauded as ‘one of the best books I’ve ever read’ by brothers Hank and John Green, Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow is an incredible story of creativity, expression and identity.
The book follows Sam and Sadie. Sam is recovering from a car crash, Sadie is visiting her sister and the pair strike up a deep friendship forged out of escapism, competition and shared enjoyment in each other’s company. The pair are forced to return to their normal lives after leaving the hospital but run into each other again eight years later during a chance encounter at a busy train station.
Following the two of them as they rekindle their passion for designing perfect virtual worlds, Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow is an intimate look at all of our need for connection – it’s a love story, but not like any you’ve ever read before.
Check Out The Best Books Like Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Travel The World Without Worries – Marek Bron
Jetting off and seeing the world is one of the most popular dreams most of us have, however, the logistics that go into can be enough to throw certain people off. Author Marek Bron attempts to remedy that with his handy travel book on how to see the world, Travel The World Without Worries.
Whether it be travelling all across the globe as a full-time nomad, or simply looking to inject a bit more adventure into a short trip abroad, Bron runs readers through finding inspiration, tackling fears and culture shock and effective budgeting through handy insights and real-life examples from his own experiences across 50 different countries.
The Man Who Risked It All – Laurent Gounelle
Laurent Gounelle delivers a touching story on the fragility of life in The Man Who Risked It All.
The book follows a man named Alan Greenmor, who is about to leap to his death from the summit of the Eiffel Tower when he is approached in the last moment by a mysterious figure in a dark suit: Yves Dubreuil. In return for passing his life over to him, Alan is able to embark on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, flourishing in everything from boardroom meetings to overcoming his greatest fears. Set in the heart of France’s capital, this book on self-discovery is a lesson in how possibilities can be presented to people in even the unlikeliest of circumstances.
Neither Here, Nor There: Travels in Europe – Bill Bryson
The most famous travel writer of his generation, Bill Bryson retraces his steps and journeys on a magical trip of self-discovery in Neither Here, Nor There. Bryson’s trademark wit is brought to the front here as he travels, trekking from the most northern point on the continent to the streets of Istanbul in Turkey.
Bryson’s inspiration for his journey is the same travel path he completed as a student twenty years prior to the book, and his magical insight into embracing cultures and traditions illuminates parts of Europe most travellers don’t even realise exist.
A Year Off – Alexandra Brown And David Brown
One part travel essay and one part inspiring travel memoir, A Year Off is the remarkable story of how Alexandra and David Brown embarked on an incredible journey of a lifetime. Having only met each other a couple of months beforehand, this book details how the pair decided to quit their 9-to-5 ‘normal’ life in order to travel the world for a year.
With a whole host of photographs bundled in to accompany these remarkable travel stories, it is one of the best resources for those looking to capture that wanderlust spirit. It also comes with countless pieces of advice on how to quit your job, budget for a travelling lifestyle and make this fulfilling dream a reality!
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? – Dr Julie Smith
A number one Sunday Times bestseller, Dr Julie Smith tackles some of the biggest hurdles people face in the hunt for a positive and fulfilling life in Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?
From overcoming anxiety, and finding a healthy motivation to establishing a positive self-image, clinical psychologist Smith arms readers with the ultimate toolkit for mastering their mental health. Delivered with comforting friendliness, it is an invaluable self-discovery book filled with practical tips for whatever everyday issues a reader’s faces.
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).
