Emily Flores
The best stories feel like tickets to somewhere new, taking weight off your shoulders and leaving space for wonder. These books carry you into unfamiliar worlds, one page at a time. Each one holds a journey that lingers long after the last chapter. If the thought of escape excites you, these reads are ready to travel with you.
âEat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search For Everythingâ By Elizabeth Gilbert
This story sparked a movement. Gilbert’s journey through Italy, India, and Bali inspired a generation of women to explore healing through travel. It spent 200 weeks on the “New York Times” list and was adapted into a hit film starring Julia Roberts in 2010.
âUnder The Tuscan Sunâ By Frances Mayes
Long before the 2003 film drew travelers to Tuscany, Frances Mayes was rebuilding a life there. Her memoir weaves recipes and quiet joys into a portrait of renewal. Interest in slow-living blossomed through her story, and the region soon saw a rise in American visitors.
âLove With A Chance Of Drowningâ By Torre DeRoche
Torre DeRoche feared the ocean, yet chose to cross it. Her memoir mixes stunning tropical scenes from French Polynesia and Hawai’i with personal vulnerability. Praised by Lonely Planet, the book suggests that facing fear may lead to unexpected joy and change.
âA Thousand New Beginningsâ By Kristin Addis
Now read by over 100,000 people, her story caught the attention of Forbes and National Geographic. The memoir began as journal entries during a six-month solo trip through Southeast Asia. She had first chronicled this journey on her blog, “Be My Travel Muse,” before it reached bookstores.
âNo Baggageâ By Clara Bensen
What happens when you travel for 21 days without luggage? Clara Bensen finds out across Istanbul, Athens, and London. Her minimalist journey highlights how less planning can mean more connection. Praised by Kirkus and major travel outlets, the memoir embraces simplicity and celebrates spontaneity.
âAlone Timeâ By Stephanie Rosenbloom
With praise from the “New York Times” for its meditative tone, this book gently nudges readers toward slower, more intentional travel. It traces seasonal solo journeys through Istanbul and New York. But it all begins in Paris, where quiet cafes turn spring mornings into peaceful, personal rituals.
âWildâ By Cheryl Strayed
Strayed’s memoir soared to #1 on the “New York Times” list, later inspiring a film starring Reese Witherspoon. It all began with a bold, 1,100-mile trek along the Pacific Crest Trail. What started in heartbreak eventually sparked a surge in hiking, even recorded by REI.
âA Year In Provenceâ By Peter Mayle
Month by month, Peter Mayle brings rural Provence alive. He shares seasonal rituals, from lavender fields to village fetes, with affectionate detail. The memoir stirred imaginations globally and later inspired a BBC series. It still appears on beloved travel booklists today.
âThe Good Girl’s Guide To Getting Lostâ By Rachel Friedman
Rachel Friedman’s memoir explores personal growth through solo travel. Her reflections span the markets of South America and Australia’s urban energy. It has become a genre favorite and has gone on to inspire essays and blogs that echo her curiosity and celebrate the freedom found in going it alone.
âFull Tilt: Ireland To India With A Bicycleâ By Dervla Murphy
Listed by The Guardian as one of the top cycling books, this memoir reflects deep cultural insight. Murphy’s 1963 solo ride spanned from Europe to India, and she recorded striking details along the way. It was a fearless commitment to immersion and discovery.