SURPRISE ME!

6 Books That Inspire Travel

Maryann Taylor

Last updated: Apr 11, 2022

Books and travel have always gone hand in hand. And what better way to make a long journey enjoyable than to carry your favourite books (or Kindle, if you’re so inclined) along!

They say the best way to travel without moving an inch is by reading, but for those of us with restless feet, there have been moments when books have actually pushed us out of our comfortable armchairs, inspired us to pack our bags, and head for that long-awaited vacation.

Here is my list of 6 books that inspire travel and which got my imagination soaring and my feet itching to get going and explore the world:

1. Around India in 80 Trains:

A must read for those who love train journeys (Image courtesy: http://www.80trains.com/blogs/monishas-blog/)

One of the most entertaining books I have read lately, Monisha Rajesh’s Around India in 80 Trains combined two things I absolutely love; travel and the Indian Railways. Taking inspiration from Jules Vernes’ classic Around the World in 80 Days, Monish Rajesh travelled 40,000 kilometres across the length and breadth of India in 80 trains.

After having lived in England for 20 years this journey and the subsequent book were Rajesh’s way of acquainting herself with a country which had over the years become a stranger to her. Ranging from luxury trains, a toy train, Mumbai’s notorious local trains and even a hospital on wheels, the book covers the writer’s journey across the lesser known India, the country’s unique and plural culture and its warm, friendly and entertaining people.

Where It Inspired Me to Travel:

After reading this book all I wanted to do was buy a one-way ticket, get on a train and explore cities and towns in India I have never been to, experiencing India like never before.

2. Notes From a Small Island:

Witty, entertaining and funny, Notes From a Small Island was penned by Bill Bryson when he decided to leave England, where he had lived for 20 years, to go back to the United States. Taking one last trip around England, from Scotland to Exeter, Bryson travels extensively (using only public transport in most cases), interacting with and observing people on the way.

Notes From A Small Island is a journal, a travelogue and a tribute to England and its people all rolled into one. Chronicling the quirkiness of England and its people, the book makes for a delightful read, which will certainly make you laugh out loud.

Where It Inspired Me To Travel:

Being a self-confessed Anglophile, the book made me want to catch the next flight to London and join the English as they complained about the weather, smirk at the deadpan British humour, take in the beautiful Victorian architecture, and relish a plateful of fish and chips. And while we’re at it, cuppa tea anyone?

3. City of Djinns:

A thoroughbred Delhiite, I give enormous credit to William Dalrymple for making me fall in love with my city all over again. Essentially a travelogue, City of Djinns reads effortlessly like a novel and covers Dalrymple’s six years in Delhi and the interesting characters he comes across. Apart from that, the book also covers the rich history of the city, relics of which can be seen till today in the form of ancient historic monuments.

The book also covers important historic events, which have affected Delhi, such as the First War of Independence against the British in 1857, the riots after the Partition in 1947 and the genocide which followed the killing of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Rich with anecdotes, the book asserts that Delhi is in fact not just one city, but many different cities rolled into one, it all depends on what you’re looking for!

Where It Inspired Me To Travel:

Being a history buff, this book really inspired me to revisit many of the historic sights I had seen in my school days and also visit many of Delhi’s beautiful historic monuments like the Humayun’s Tomb and the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah which I had never visited, despite having lived in Delhi all my life.

4. The Kite Runner:

A book which did not leave me long after I had finished reading it, The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir and his friend Hasan during turbulent times in Afghanistan. The book talks about the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan, the intervention by the Soviet Army and the gradual rise of the Taliban.

After having failed to save his friend Hasan from a particular unpleasant incident, Amir is constantly gnawed by guilt and the book chronicles how Amir makes amends for his shortcomings many years later. The constant theme, which runs through The Kite Runner is that of remorse and atonement and makes for a gripping read.

Where It Inspired Me To Travel:

The Kite Runner left me greatly intrigued by Afghanistan, Kabul in particular. After having read the book I imagined what it would be like to walk through the bustling bazaars of Kabul, chat with the locals and dine at the new restaurants which have popped up all over the city, all the while admiring the natural beauty of this lesser known city.

5. The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency:

The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith are a series of detective novels set in Gaborone in Botswana and are centred around the protagonist Precious Ramotswe. Commonly known as Mma Ramotswe, the books follow the adventures of Ramotswe who uses her keen observation skills, along with her wit, strong memory and intuition to solve cases. Mma Ramotswe remains an extremely likeable character and all of the books move at a very relaxed pace making for an enjoyable read.

here It Inspired Me To Travel:

After having read the entire series of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency I had a strong desire to travel to Botswana and walk through the buzzing markets of Gaborone and discover the beauty of the Chobe National Park, Tuli Block, Tsodilo Hill and the Mokolodi Game Reserve. What’s more, you can even take a special, No.1 Ladies Detective Agency tour and who knows, you might just bump into Mma Ramotswe.

6 . Harry Potter:

Enter Harry's magical world | Photo Credit: Sonia Belviso/flickr

I can see you raise your eyebrows as you read this and even though the Harry Potter series has primarily been promoted as a children’s series, it is in fact much more than that. Behind the witchcraft and wizardry and the magic spells, the book is essentially the story of a young boy facing the same challenges of life as any other teenager.

Even though the books are set in an alternative fantasy world, the theme of Harry Potter stresses on the important aspects of life like death and the pain of loss, good and evil and the power of love. Harry’s doubts, trials and flaws are real and the books have not only entertained children, but have also inspired countless adults who have read them.

Where It Inspired Me To Travel:

Reading Harry Potter gave flight to my imagination in so many ways. Besides being convinced that my induction letter from Hogwarts got lost on the way, the books made me want to visit King's Cross Station in London from where Harry boarded the Hogwarts Express from platform 9 3/4. I also wished to visit the London Zoo, Oxford University College and Great Scotland Yard, where some of the scenes of the film were shot. Finally, I wish I could indeed visit the Hogwarts Castle and find my way through its many secret passages, explore the Forbidden Forest for its magical creatures with Hagrid and share a Butterbeer with Harry, Ron and Hermoine at the Three Broomsticks at Hogsmeade. Now if only I could remember where I kept my invisibility cloak!

Here were my pick of books which inspire travel,so what does your list look like? Do share your favourite travel inspiring books with us in the comments section below.

Keep reading, keep travelling!

Featured image credit: ngader/flickr

Maryann Taylor Follow

Maryann Taylor, among other things is primarily a teller of anecdotes, devourer of books, compulsive writer, dog lover, cat slave, daydreamer and traveller, who still takes delight in reading Enid Blyton and riding bicycles.

Comments

Vandana Walia | on 03 January 2014

Has anyone heard of a book called A Pattern Of Islands ? Written by Sir Arthur Grimble it is a fascinating account of the author's years in what were then known as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in the west -central Pacific Ocean. I had it as course book in high school 47 years ago and remains a favorite of mine. Somewhere I even have a tattered copy of it. The book awakened in me a life long love for traveling and though I haven't made it to the islands yet I've been to a whole bunch of other places! But even before that there was "good Wives" in which Amy travels to Europe and What Katy Did Next in which Katy too visits Europe. Books beloved of girls long ago but which no one is familiar with now.