This year, I’ve been a bit slack with my reading. Between writing my own book and planning TravelCon, I’ve barely had time to pick up a book. I used to finish a book every week, but now it sometimes takes me months. I’ve fallen out of my reading routine, and getting back into it is harder than I thought. But I’m setting aside specific time each day to read, so that’s a start.
It’s been a while since I’ve shared a "best travel books of the year" list. I’ve been asked for recommendations, but I haven’t had many to give. However, I’ve managed to finish a few books recently, so I think it’s time for a new post. Here are my favorite books of 2018 (so far). Some of them aren’t travel books, as I’m trying to broaden my reading horizons.
"Dune" by Frank Herbert is a fantastic 800-page sci-fi epic. It’s about Paul Atreides and the desert planet Arrakis, which is crucial because it produces the "spice." The world-building is incredible, and the book is full of character depth, intrigue, action, philosophy, and reflections on power and leading a good life.
"Souvenir (Object Lessons)" by Rolf Potts delves into the hidden lives of ordinary things. Potts looks at the relic-driven journeys of Christians and the gimmicky souvenirs you find at tourist shops. It’s a short but insightful read about the power of souvenirs and why we buy what we do when we travel.
"Conspiracy" by Ryan Holiday is a real-life story about how Gawker outed PayPal founder Peter Thiel as gay and how Thiel funded the Hulk Hogan lawsuit that ultimately brought down Gawker. It’s a fascinating and sometimes scary read about how one man can bring down an empire, ego, and the insidious nature of conspiracies.
"Tip of the Iceberg" by Mark Adams retraces the 1899 expedition of Edward H. Harriman, who converted a steamship into a luxury cruise for America’s top scientists and writers and embarked on a summer voyage around Alaska. Adams travels over 3,000 miles along the coast of the state, providing insight into the people, history, and culture of Alaska.
"The Black Penguin" by Andrew Evans is about his 12,000-mile journey over mountains and through deserts and jungles to reach Antarctica after being shunned by his family. It’s a beautiful read that touches on faith, family, and self.
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear isn’t about travel, but it provides a solid framework for self-improvement. Clear discusses habit formation and reveals strategies for forming good new habits and breaking bad ones.
"The Fish That Ate the Whale" by Rich Cohen is the true story of Samuel Zemurray, a self-made banana seller who went from a roadside peddler to a capitalist revolutionary. It’s a fascinating look at Gilded Age capitalism and the banana industry.
"Why the Dutch Are Different" by Ben Coates is a travel book, history book, and memoir all in one. It’s a look at modern Dutch culture and society, how it got that way, and what the future holds for the country.
"Rediscovering Travel" by Seth Kugel challenges the lack of spontaneity in today’s travel due to all the websites that allow people to plan everything in advance. It’s a collection of amusing stories designed to inspire you to be less tied to technology on your next trip.
"The Dutch Wife" by Ellen Keith is set in 1943 and follows Marijke de Graaf, who is sent from Amsterdam to a concentration camp in Germany with her husband. She faces a choice: death, or join the camp’s brothel. It’s a beautifully written book that topped the Canadian best-seller lists when it came out.
"Blackout" by Sarah Hepola is a self-reflective and poignant book about her alcoholism, the effect it had on her life and the lives of her friends, and her rediscovery of herself. It’s a touching book that will make you think about the negative habits in your life and how you can break them.
So, those are my favorite books of the year so far. If you want to see some of the other books I’ve recommended or am currently reading, check out this page I created on Amazon that lists them all. You can also find all of my books in my Bookshop store, which supports locally-owned small bookstores. If you’re in the US, you can find my Bookshop store here.
When you’re ready to book your trip, check out my resource page for the best companies to use. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
