Philosophical Travel Reading: Travel Book Companions. Here’s my list …
So you’re off on your travels! What book(s) should you take? Something simple like the latest Dan Brown perhaps? Well, why not something a little more challenging … something insightful and thoughtful maybe? Something to fuel your ‘inner-journey’ as you voyage across the world.
Travelling alone can be demanding. I’ve sat for many hours at train stations and airports and bus terminals. If you find yourself irritated by a delayed transportation service to your next exciting destination, open the pages of a meditative and contemplative read to stimulate the grey matter.
Here’s a lowdown of some spiritual reads to inspire and lessen the irritation while you wait.
1. The Chronicles of Narnia: C. S. Lewis
Nobody should (or would indeed dare!) to cast doubt on my first choice. Crammed with sizzling battles and vivid characters, Narnia essentially conveys the story of Jesus through metaphor. Epic battles of good v evil culminate in good triumphing. This fantasy genre has been included on the family bookshelf for more than 50 years, and on my bookshelf for 30 years.
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …
2. The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches: Matsuo Bashō
Having turned to Zen Buddhism, Bashō travelled and jotted what he encountered, reaching out to spirituality and fulfilment. Bashō endeavoured to discover an image of eternity in a transient world. This volume is a beautiful and evocative prose that inspires philosophical travel reading.
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …
3. The Rings of Saturn: W. G. Sebald
A sumptuous reflection of the past via a glum trip along England’s East coast, the Rings of Saturn is beautiful, sophisticated, and haunted. It delves into the volatility and insecurity of what it means to be human. It was recommended by the editor Lonely Planet’s website. I concur that it should be a staple for every budding traveller.
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …
4. Walden: Henry David Thoreau
I recall an episode of the sitcom Frasier. The synopsis: Frasier, his dad Martin and his son Freddie voyage to the countryside. Frasier yearns to read a childhood favourite, Walden, with Freddie who displays little interest. Martin reminds Frasier that as a young boy Frasier missed the exhilaration and delight of nature because he was too busy reading about it. The book accompanied me on an expedition of South Eastern Europe. Thoreau’s gripping prose divulges his reflections on nature and how to embrace a simple lifestyle. This should be a fond favourite of many backpackers.
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …
5. The Meaning of Travel: Philosophers Abroad: Emily Thomas
A recent addition to my list, The Meaning of Travel seeks correlations between two critical features of Thomas’s life; travel and philosophy. I can relate and share the qualities of what Thomas is seeking to communicate. Travel significantly influences my life as I pursue continuous adventures and Thomas relates her own, all within the perimeter of philosophy.This is philosophical travel reading at it’s best.
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …
I hope you’re enjoying my article. If you wanted some further reading on the philosophy of travel, here’s a link to another piece I published; Should Travel Books be in the Political Section?
Back to Philosophical Travel Reading …
6. The Great Railway Bazaar: Paul Theroux
Okay I suppose I’ve drifted away from my own theme of philosophical reads. But come on guys, this 1975 epic is sheer wisdom so I felt a tinge of responsibility to incorporate it into my repertoire. It’s a modern odyssey of classic marathon travel and celebrated train routes: Orient Express, the Khyber Pass Local, the Delhi Mail from Jaipur, the Golden Arrow to Kuala Lumpur, the Hikari Super Express to Kyoto and the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …
7. Destination Earth- A New Philosophy of Travel by a World-Traveler: Nicos Hadjicostis
Goodreads claim this book to be “more a guide to travel than a travel guide” which is a sentiment to which I subscribe. It elicits a context on evocative and resolute travel that tailors to the explorer who seeks to visit the entire globe, or region or city. For nearly 7 years Hadjicostis crisscrossed 6 continents and indulged in adventure and rational reflection. This book represents philosophical travel reading at its finest!
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …
8. The Art of Travel: Alain de Botton
This analysis of our desire to travel focusses on Botton’s encounters with artists and writers. It’s a pleasant concentration on our longing and aspiration to interact, learn and acquire wisdom. But it also emphasises the less exotic destinations like motor-side cafes! As eager travellers we’re always impatient to reach ‘paradise’ or awe-inspiring architectural magnificence, but perhaps we need to stop and absorb what happens around us.
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …
9. Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road: Kate Harris
In a world where millions travel extensively it can be difficult to seek the unknown. One of the enduring questions I repeatedly ask myself is: ‘where can I visit that’s seldom frequented?’ This question has inspired me to teach briefly in an English college in Yangon and visit the brutal dictatorial regime of North Korea. For Harris cycling the Silk Road for a year inspired some remote and meditative moments.
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …
10. Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story: Tony & Maureen Wheeler
On the surface this isn’t a philosophical travel guide. Nonetheless LP changed the way we perceive travel. It’s possible that you have a LP guide on your bookshelf right now for instance! For me personally LP has been an indispensable feature in my backpack for years and without LP’s wisdom and acumen, travel would be soooooooo complex. It was therefore a pleasant experience to learn and understand the foundation of the LP development.
Click HERE to read more on Amazon …