What to Read Next to Satisfy Your Wanderlust
The last 365 days did not look like what anyone expected. With access to travel severely limited for some and impossible for many others, our desire for adventure has not waned. As the world adjusts to a “new normal” and many begin traveling again, our team thought the best way to satisfy our desire to travel for now is through literature.
The beauty and wonder of literature is its ability to transport readers to places and time periods (past and present) that might otherwise be inaccessible. Travel presents an opportunity to learn about other people’s experiences and cultures, while also offering moments of introspection to learn about ourselves.
We hope that the following books transport you to lands far away in your mind’s eye all from the comfort of your own home.
1. “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer
How far would you travel to avoid the uncomfortable and awkward? In Andrew Sean Greer’s novel “Less,” the protagonist, Arthur Less, is an almost 50-year-old, failed author who globetrots around the world to avoid his ex’s wedding. The storyline takes readers on a lyrical journey across France, Germany, Morocco, and a deserted island on the Arabian Sea, just to name a few of the exotic destinations. The novel proves the age old adage that “Wherever you go, there you are.”
2. “A Year In Provence” by Peter Mayle
Part memoir, part travelogue, author Peter Mayle shares his experience of a year of domestic life in the South of France. Set in the remote, village region of Provence known as Lubéron, Peter, his wife, and two dogs find a home in a 200-year-old farmhouse as they adapt to the simplicity of Provençal life. This charming and witty read will satisfy your wanderlust as the author chronicles the highlights of each month and paints vivid pictures of his neighbors, the locals, and the beautiful scenery.
3. “How to Be a Family” by Dan Kois
With an attention-grabbing title, this memoir by Dan Kois is sure not to disappoint. The storyline follows Dan, his wife, and their two teenage daughters as they travel the world in hopes of becoming closer. They travel from New Zealand, to the Netherlands, to Costa Rica, and to small-town Kansas as a frustrated Dan tries to remove the busyness, distraction, and disconnect of their East Coast life in Washington D.C. The story is set for a life-changing trip for the Kois family and meaningful lessons on the importance of family.
4. “Swing Time” by Zadie Smith
The storyline is set across the diverse socioeconomic and cultural landscapes of New York, London, and West Africa. Readers follow the storyline of Tracee and Aimee, two childhood friends who both love tap dancing. After their friendship comes to an abrupt end in their early twenties, the two pursue their love of dance in different ways with very different endings. One becomes a successful dancer only to later descend into poverty. The other travels the world as an assistant to a famous singer and eventually moves into philanthropic work in West Africa.
5. ”Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter
A novel that spans a period of 50 years, “Beautiful Ruins” is a tale about failure in love and career, nostalgia, and the impact one person can unwittingly have on the lives of others. The story begins in a dreamy Italian coastal town in 1962 and spans decades to present-day Hollywood, California. There are five prominent characters throughout the story, but the main focus is on the love affair between an actor and a starlett.
6. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
Through the years, “The Alchemist” has become a timeless literary gem around the world. The narrative follows Santiago, an Andulisian shepherd boy, as he goes on a quest for worldly goods. He travels from his homeland in Spain all the way to the deserts of Egypt. Along the journey, he encounters an Alchemist, a gypsy, and a man who calls himself a king. This quaint but simple story showcases the value of inner wealth above all else.
In this honest and introspective memoir, author Jedidah Jenkins cycles from Oregon to Patagonia as he attempts to answer an important question: What makes a life worth living? As he travels across different cities and terrain, he chronicles his observations and reflections. Readers are up for a journey of a lifetime as Jedidah uses travel to help awaken himself to a life of meaning and intention.
What books inspire your love of travel? Share them with us @meetcopper so we can continue to share them with our Copper Community.
Photo by Eva Darron on Unsplash
