Book of Unforgettable Journeys

The Condé Nast Traveler Book of Unforgettable Journeys: Great Writers on Great Places is a collection of travel stories written by different authors. Some stories are captivating with a great lesson or adventure, while others are overly detailed and boring. Overall, the book is filled with a variety of good stories, different writing styles, and unusual destinations.  Although Condé Nast caters to adults, teens can also enjoy the writing.

How to Travel the World
on $50 a Day

​By: Matthew Kepnes
Nomadic Matt's book is full of travel tips and resources. Different chapters cover different topics, such as what to pack, where to book flights, and how to get cheap accommodation. There are also a few chapters about specific destinations. Check out his blog: https://www.nomadicmatt.com​​

The Geography of Bliss

By: Eric Weiner
The book follows Weiner as he searches for happiness around the world. It is very wordy, contains statistics, and some chapters focus more on ideas than places. However, Weiner writes in a way that makes one want to go where he goes and see what he sees. He also has written: Man Seeks God and The Geography of Genius.

The Sex Lives of Cannibles

By: J. Maarten Troost
​Troost writes about the two years he spent living in Kiribati, an island nation in the South Pacific, in this hilarious book. While some books about one destination may be boring, his sense of humor makes it worth the read. It is also interesting to read about a part of the world overlooked by many. Check out his other books: Getting Stoned With Savages, Lost on Planet China, and Headhunters on My Doorstep.  (I personally did not like the last one as much as the others)

Wanderlust: A Love Affair with Five Continents

​By: Elisabeth Eaves
This is an inspiring book, especially for girls, as Eaves travels to destinations usually considered too dangerous for women to explore alone, such as Yemen. Eaves also discusses just how strong the need to travel can be and how it influences one's life. However, the book does follow her personal relationships, which some may not like.

Holy Cow

By: Sarah MacDonald
MacDonald's account of living in India as a western woman is funny, extremely accurate, and a great way to mentally prepare for one's own trip to India. MacDonald compares the different areas of the country with a reluctant, yet fair eye. Despite her complaints, she shows just how captivating and crazy the country can be. 

Tales of a Female Nomad

By: Rita Golden Gelman
 This was the book that first inspired me to travel. Rita writes to prove that it is possible to live a nomadic lifestyle, especially as a woman. The book focuses on cultural connections. It may not be for everyone, as it is mostly about self discovery and very detailed. Check out Female Nomad and Friends: Tales of Breaking Free and Breaking Bread Around the World, a collaboration of different travel writers, as well.

The Lost Girls:
Three Continents. Four Friends...

By: Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, Amanda Pressner
The book follows the adventures of three friends who decide to travel the world together. It is a refreshing change from books about solo travel. The chapters are told from the different women's points of view, each with a distinctive personality. The book is slightly longer than others, but shows the relaties of traveling as a group. It's not all fun and beaches, but that's part of the adventure. 

Travels

By: Michael Crichton
Crichton writes about his time as a doctor and his travels, both physical and mental. Both are equally fascinating. He includes stories about the rougher sides of travel, like a trip to a brothel. He travels with an open mind, embracing different experiences, yet still remains a real person who does not say he likes something just because others do.

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding

By: Kristin Newman
​This book is for more mature readers and teenagers. Newman writes about the international hookups and "vacationships" that conspired during her yearly trips abroad. She also tells how she ultimately found the one. The book is less about travel and more about some of the possible perks of traveling!