Best books for travelers: Global novels and non-fiction

Eye-Opening Global Books for Travelers

Updated 2023. Originally published: 2019.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

I read these first four novels when we were wrapping up our Peace Corps service, and each one has left a lasting impression. In my opinion, the best travel books transport you to another land.

I haven’t been anywhere near these parts of the world yet, so it’s a privilege to be able to get a glimpse of these places, people, and cultures and learn from them.

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb This is the powerful, true story of a young girl who stood up to the Taliban for her right to go to school.

Enduring persecution to the point of being shot in the head by a terrorist, Malala miraculously survived to continue her family’s legacy advocating for girls’ education in Pakistan.

She is the youngest nominee for a Nobel Peace Prize award.

Although under the threat of terrorism, it is courage and passion that radiate from this story, rather than fear or misery.

It also paints a vivid picture of village life in a beautiful Pakistani mountain region, both before and during Taliban occupation, transporting the reader inside Malala’s home and classroom as she goes through her daily life.

Get your copy of I Am Malala here>>

Americanah

by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This is an insightful story of Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman, who reluctantly leaves her home country and her first love to attend school in the United States.

As she navigates culture shock and hardship, she disconnects from her love, Obinze, who coincidentally is enduring the perils of being an undocumented immigrant in London.

Eventually the two return separately to settle in Nigeria. In this novel, the reader is transported into the culture of Nigeria and the experience of African refugees in the West through masterfully crafted characters.

Get your copy of Americanah here>>

What is the What

by Dave Eggers

This remarkable novel is based on the life of Valentino Achak Deng who fled his village home in Sudan during an attack and became one of the “Lost Boys,” traversing three countries on foot to escape.

The story follows him from his displacement at age seven, his trek across deserts with thousands of other youth, his experience in refugee camps, and his struggle to make a life as a refugee in the U.S.

Though the circumstances are tragic, it is a compelling story that sparks passion and compassion. The reader gains a deep appreciation for those trapped amidst civil war and for the complex, surprising disappointments of reaching the “land of the free.”

Get your copy of What is the What here>>

Cutting for Stone

by Abraham Verghese

This is a masterfully woven tale of Marion and his twin brother, Shiva, who grew up amidst a hospital compound in Ethiopia with their adopted parents, both doctors.

The rest is hard to describe – sometimes gritty, sometimes bordering miraculous, and often in the tension between broken and being repaired.

The story transports the reader to India, Ethiopia, and inner-city New York as the protagonist encounters conflicts and triumphs throughout his life.

Note: Be warned, there is quite a bit of medical imagery (i.e. descriptions of surgery) throughout. While you don’t have to be a physician to appreciate what’s written, but if you don’t do well with blood, it could be upsetting.

Get your copy of Cutting for Stone here>>

Mountains Beyond Mountains

by Tracy Kidder

Mountains Beyond Mountains is one of the most impactful books I’ve ever read.

The author, Tracy Kidder, follows the inspiring and unconventional Paul Farmer from Harvard to Haiti, Peru, Cuba, and Russia.

Farmer is a gifted doctor and infectious disease specialist who is in love with the world and has set out to do all he can to cure it. 

The San Diego Union Tribune says it well: “Stunning. Mountains Beyond Mountains will move you, restore your faith in the ability of one person to make a difference in these increasingly maddening, dispiriting times. [Kidder has] held his writer’s mirror up to an astonishing comet of a man whose reflection flatters us all for what it says about our capacity for mercy and healing.”

While the story centers on Doctor Farmer, I especially loved the glimpse into Haitian life and the insightful Haitian proverbs that are woven into this book.

Get your copy of Mountains Beyond Mountains here>>

Tired of reading? Try these uplifting global movies!

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel

by Rolf Potts

This travel book was recommended by our friend and fellow Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, John Granger.

He and his wife have become nomads in their retirement, and we often benefit from their travel wisdom. So if John recommends this book, we’re sure it’s a winner.

Vagabonding refers to taking time off from your normal life to experience the world on your own terms. Veteran shoestring traveler, Rolf Potts, shows how anyone armed with an independent spirit can achieve the dream of extended overseas travel.

This book covers topics like: financing your travel time, determining your destination, adjusting to life on the road, working and volunteering overseas, handling travel adversity, and re-assimilating back into ordinary life.

Get your copy of Vagabonding here>>

An Intentional Travelers Guide to Unconventional Budget Accommodations: Creative Ways to Save Money on Transformational Travel

by Yours Truly

I wrote this book because I couldn’t find a comprehensive resource for the unusual budget travel strategies we use on our trips. It combines inspirational travel stories with practical, step-by-step guidance.

Case studies from fellow travelers and our own adventures will show you how cheaper, deeper travel is both rewarding and attainable.

From a yurt in Mongolia to a chateau bed and breakfast in France, discover what’s possible for your own style of travel.

Crack the code to meaningful, impactful and low-cost trips by tackling one of the biggest trip expenses: lodging. It’s a quick read, covering travel strategies you may have never considered before. 

Update: Paperback and Ebook updated in 2021 with new bonus chapter, traveler case studies, and resources. Audiobook of original edition also available.

Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold- Climate Cultures

by Sara Lanier

I recommend Foreign to Familiar for every new cross-cultural traveler. It was introduced to me in college when I was studying abroad in Europe and then volunteering in the Dominican Republic during the summers. 

This easy-to-follow, concise guide helps travelers and cross-cultural workers recognize and understand cultural differences in order to avoid miscommunication. You don’t know what you don’t know.

This book will open your eyes to how your own familiar behaviors can seem foreign to others, and vise versa. 

Get your copy of Foreign to Familiar here>>

Fiction Mystery Books for Travelers

I had to dedicate a section to my favorite genre: detective mysteries. Each series is set in a different part of the world.

Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency (series)

by Alexander McCall Smith

This is one of my all-time favorite cross-culture book series. I also included the corresponding HBO show in our Uplifting Global Movies blog post.

Not only is it a mystery series – which I love – the books also immerse you in the culture of Botswana.

Self-made lady detective, Precious Ramotswe, and her loyal associate, Grace Makutsi, set up shop to help people solve the problems in their lives. The lead character navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, good humor, and plenty of red bush tea.

There are currently 23 books in this series. While not always action-packed, the books are certainly charming and uplifting, and I can’t get enough of them.

Get your copy of Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency (series) here>>

Vish Puri Detective Series

by Tarquin Hall

Here’s another detective/mystery series that I love. “India’s most private investigator,” Vish Puri, and his quirky team of operatives (and occasionally his wife and mother) unravel cases against India’s swindlers, cheats, and murderers.

Immersed in colorful, chaotic Delhi, the books are entertaining and charming without too much grit. I like how Entertainment Weekly described it: “India, captured in all its pungent, vivid glory, fascinates almost as much as the crime itself.”

This series has only four books, and I wish there were more.

Get your copy of Vish Puri Detective Series here>>

Bangkok Tattoo Series

by John Burnett

Bangkok 8 and its sequels is another recommendation by our fellow nomad.

Set in exotic Bangkok, Thailand, a former monk and devout Buddhist-turned-detective is the lead character, forever battling to protect his karma from the assaults of morally compromising cases.

These suspenseful and “often darkly hilarious” mysteries also explore the differences in thinking from East to West.

There are six books in the series. As a huge fan of mysteries, I’m looking forward to checking these out soon!

Get your copy of Bangkok Tattoo Series here>>

Travel Books for Food Lovers

From mouthwatering stories to insightful cultural narratives, these books are a must-read for those who crave both travel and culinary delights.

Eat, Pray, Love

by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert goes on a transformative journey after a painful divorce. She sets off on a year-long adventure across Italy, India, and Indonesia, immersing herself in the local cultures, traditions, and cuisine. 

From savoring the delights of Italian gastronomy to finding solace and spiritual growth in an Indian ashram, and ultimately finding love in Bali, Gilbert’s memoir is a heartfelt exploration of love, spirituality, and the transformative power of travel.

Get your copy of Eat, Pray, Love here>>

A Year in Provence

by Peter Mayle

Mayle recounts his experiences of moving to a quaint countryside village and immersing himself in the joys and challenges of Provençal life.

From navigating the eccentricities of the locals to indulging in delectable cuisine and embracing the region’s idyllic charm, Mayle paints a vivid picture of the sights, sounds, and flavors that define Provence.

This charming chronicle is a delightful escape into a world of sun-drenched vineyards, fragrant lavender fields, and the simple pleasures of a slower pace of life.

Get your copy of A Year in Provence here>>

Inspiring and Motivational Travel Books

These compelling reads will inspire and motivate you to step out of your comfort zone and go on life-changing adventures. 

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

by Cheryl Strayed

The book delves into Cheryl Strayed’s solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. Facing personal struggles and grief, she embarks on this challenging adventure to find herself and heal.

She shares the physical and emotional challenges she faces along the trail, as well as the moments of self-discovery and empowerment. “Wild” is a powerful story that inspires readers to embrace adventure, confront their fears, and go on journeys of self-discovery.

Get your copy of Wild here>>

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

“The Alchemist” is a timeless and symbolic novel that resonates with travelers seeking inspiration and personal transformation.

The story follows Santiago, a young shepherd, as he sets on a quest in search of a hidden treasure. Along his journey, he encounters various characters and learns valuable life lessons about following his dreams, listening to his heart, and finding his purpose.

“The Alchemist” is a captivating tale that will encourage you to pursue your passions, trust the process, and seek your own “personal legends” in life.

Get your copy of The Alchemist here>>