Over the last year, I’ve read a number of books as I was considering, deciding and then planning to take my trip around the world. Here are the ones that had the biggest impact on me. Special note to Sarah Palin: I know eight books is a lot to read, but I really don’t want you traveling anyway.

Neither Here Nor There – Bill Bryson
Do I really have to elaborate on this one? Bryson is the writer that most travel bloggers strive to be, even if they don’t know it. This account of his journey through Europe is hilarious, heartfelt and informative (a little, at least). His ability to turn everyday encounters and thoughts into compelling anecdotes makes him the gold standard. I hate him, just on principle.

Metal Cowboy – Joe Kurmaskie
While the book is about a cyclist traveling different countries around the world, it’s something that anyone can enjoy, even if you’ve never pedaled a single stroke. Also no stranger to wonderfully written anecdotes, Kurmaskie’s journey highlights the strange and wonderful people he met mile after mile.

Drink, Play, F@#k – Andrew Gottlieb
The fictional male response to Eat Pray Love, Gottlieb’s tale of a year-long journey to Ireland, Las Vegas and Thailand was a fun romp. While far from a realistic account of travel, the sense of humor and fun imbued in the writing made it a quick, entertaining read. True, the Vegas chapters were pretty ludicrous (he sustained his lifestyle by gambling… really?) but it was written in such a light-hearted tone that I had to forgive him.

Falling Uphill – Scott Stoll
This one is interesting, because while Scott appears to be a great guy and corresponds directly with his readers, I didn’t actually find it very inspirational. It’s a good read, but the challenges Stoll writes about make it seem like the trip wasn’t very fun. It’s apparent he went through a physical and spiritual change while riding his bike 25,000 miles around the world over 4 years and despite some downer chapters, the compelling transformation kept me reading. I think the stories of disease, imprisonment, harassment and injury were interesting because they painted a harsh portrait of the struggles you can face on the road. Or he could be cycling’s James Frey.

Vagabonding – Rolf Potts
The must-read for anyone planning extended travel, even if it’s just a vacation. While there’s not a lot of concrete advice in it, that’s not the intention. It teaches how to think about travel in a way that appeals to me – live simply, don’t set limits, be creative, let your spirit grow, adapt. These are the things I want my travel to be.

The Four Hour Work Week – Timothy Ferriss
Okay, don’t roll your eyes at me. Sure, 90% of what Ferriss talks about is garbage. He seems to be a self-promoting con man, for the most part. But I can’t hate him, because the book made me think about life differently than I had before. His methods may not be as easy to emulate as he makes them out to be and the core of the book could have been condensed down to the length of a magazine article, but the idea of mini-retirements got me to ask “What if?” So I owe him that.

The Grown-up’s Guide to Running Away From Home – Rosanne Knorr
The book is filled with practical advice for ex-pats and early retirees who want to live abroad. While not specifically focused on travel, the tips cover everything from selling your stuff to visas to picking destinations. The speed with which the internet is changing the world makes some of the book obsolete already, but there are plenty of words of encouragement that re-assure you that it’s not as scary as it seems to leave your old life behind.

Special Mention:

Fletch – Gregory McDonald
I’ve dreamed of being a writer since I was 5 years old and that dream is in need of some CPR – maybe even a defibrillator. This book’s not about travel and I first read it 30 years ago, but it’s the novel I hold up on a pedestal when I think about the book I’d like to write while I’m on the road. I wouldn’t call this my favorite book – that honor belongs to Stephen King’s The Stand – but the blend of comedy, suspense and tiny bit of romance you find in Fletch is right in my sweet spot.

*author’s note – yes, 3 days after writing that I wasn’t going to try to make any money while traveling, I posted links to books on Amazon. But it was the coolest ways to display the images and I don’t want Amazon to cancel the Associates account I signed up for 4 months ago and did nothing with…

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