Who said you can only find travel inspiration from movies or your friend’s Instagram stories?  Allow us to introduce you to a world within that book that sits beautifully on your shelf. See-through the eyes of your heart and set out on a magical journey. Live stories, lives, and moments of your favorite character. And what’s the best part? You get to be the main character! Get your favorite snacks, make yourself comfy, because it is time for you to binge read these 12 Good Reads for travel lovers.

1. The Land of Moonlit Snows by Gaurav Punj

 If you love snow-clad mountains with the warmth of local stories and cultural warmth, this book is for you. Set in the heart of the Himalayas, the author takes you on a mystical feel-good journey. Travel with the author while he treks and brings you stories from the Himalayas while also making way through Sikkim and Ladakh. Discover heartwarming stories, belly-filling cuisines, and the touch of simplicity in the cultural glory of the Himalayas.

2. Backpacking North East India by Abhijeet Deshpande

What makes a travel book binge-read-worthy? The element of surprise and uncertainty. This book is packed with thrilling adventure, suspense, and mystery along with travel. What’s more? It is as real as it gets. Join the couple on their backpacking journey with almost empty pockets and no clue of where they are headed next. We love a good adventure and we are sure you will love good reads for travel lovers.

3. Following Fish by Samanth Subramanian

Travels Around the Indian Coast by Samanth Subramanian: Come experience the magic of how an element of food binds India together in this book. Quite literally as the title suggests, if you are a fish lover, this is your fish itinerary across the country’s coasts. Two of our favorites: food and Travel, put together can only create a bestseller. The book is not simply about food and travel. As it also mentions how even with the diversity across states, coasts, cuisines, and flavors, our love for food brings us together. For no table ever asked who dines on me tonight as long as it’s a happy bunch.

4. All Roads Lead to Ganga by Ruskin Bond

Oh, how we love a Ruskin bond novel. Trust someone who has spent their childhood in the beautiful hills and valleys of the Himalayas to describe it to you. This book is a must-read if you love the mountains and everything about a simple life in the hills. Ruskin Bond breathes life into the lost world glory of the  Himalayas and the Banks of the River Ganga. This is one of the good reads for travel lovers that will have you planning a trip to the Himalayas.

5. Man-Eaters of Kumaon by Jim Corbett

 set up in the dense forests and jungles of Kumaon Uttarakhand, Jim Corbett takes you on the adventure of a lifetime. Witness the gruesome horrors of real-life stories of the Bengal Tigers. Experience literal chills and goosebumps while tracking and hunting down the man-eaters of Kumaon. If you are a Jungle Adventure lover who loves the big cat- Jim Corbett’s books have you covered.

6. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

 Traveling brings peace to your soul and this book is all about it. The author takes you to the countries of Italy, India, and Indonesia in her quest to find her happy self again. A journey of transformation and a life-changing travel story. The book highlights the life-loving culture of Italians. Accompanied by the spiritual and elevated consciousness of Indians achieved through meditation and self-reflection. Followed by the quality of balance of a good life noticed in Indonesians.

7. The Alchemist by Paul Coelho

 A classic favorite amongst avid readers, and one of the good reads for travel lovers that you will keep coming back to. Although it’s a fictional book, the well-defined geography and described terrains of Spain and Egypt will tempt you to visit at least once. Driven completely by faith, willpower, and never giving up attitude a young Shepherd sets on to a journey of a lifetime. Every bit magical and every bit inspirational, this book highlights the belief of looking for the good even in the darkest of days.

8. The Caliph’s House

A Year in Casablanca by Tahir Shah: set up in the city of Casablanca in Morocco, the author reminisces his Moroccan childhood. As the author grows up he lives in England and eventually decides to come back to Morocco to his nostalgic roots with his family. He eventually buys a place in Casablanca and pens down his experience of being accepted again by the locals and the challenges he faces along with his family.

9. Vagabonding by Rolf Potts

Vagabonding is when travelers travel across the lengths and breadths of the world without having a job or a home. An extreme form of backpacking, vagabonding is not for the faint-hearted. Join Rolf Potts on his 10 years+ expertise vagabond journey. This good read will develop a newfound respect for backpackers and vagabonding travelers. 

10. A year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell:

this book is a great insight into the happy lives of danish people. If you are fond of learning about foreign cultures and lifestyles this is a must-have book. The author moves to Denmark and takes up writing while exploring the dynamics of the Danish lifestyle.

11. Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams

imagine if someone told you that the true journey to a wonder of the world began from somewhere else. This book is about the original route the renowned archaeologist Hiram Bingham suggested. The author believes this route brings out most of Peru’s historical, cultural and traditional roots.

12. The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

this is not only a must-have but also a bucket list book. The book explores the happiest places in the world. The fact that the author never finds the reason behind the happiness of these places but still learns about so many facts of life is a key point. A feel-good warmth oozing book makes sure you have these places on your checklist the next time.

To put it all briefly, it has been quite a literary journey and we are sure you would want to take a real one soon. Well now that you have your options ready, don’t fuss about a thing because it’s time for you to live the pages of these books in reality.

Check out a few more must-reads:https://indiachalk.com/blog/10-must-read-epics-from-western-india/

Follow India Chalk on Instagram for more amazing travel content. You can share your travel story with us. Reach out to us on email at contact[at]ndiachalk[dot]com. This blog is curated by India Chalk and written by Megha Sapre.