Five Books to Take Travelling

Avid readers and wanderers know that taking the perfect book on a trip can immediately enhance the experience. Whether you're looking to be informed, inspired or entertained the following five books will fit in with your journey and show you a different side of the country you choose to visit. Some will show you the natural beauty of the world, others will help you understand the countries current cultural values, but all will be the most loyal of companions.

North America 

~ Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer
Hands down one of my all time favourite books. Into The Wild follows Christopher McCandless, a bright, conscious man who decides one day to run away from his life after graduating at a top university to reach Alaska. The true story depicts McCandless' critical views on modern society as he shuns cities in favour of wheat fields and frozen landscapes. Its the perfect book to take when taking your own pilgrimage around America as it will no doubt push you to do more and interact with as many people as possible. Into The Wild taught me a lot of lessons about the world and solidified my views on how I wanted to live my life.

Thailand

~ The Beach, Alex Garland

 Is there really any other book you'd read when travelling to Thailand than The Beach? Whether your trip consists of island hopping and full moon parties or exploring ancient temples and eating your way around Bangkok The Beach is a feast for the senses. Following a disgruntled adventurer called Richard who is given a map and soon escapes the suffocating tourist spots of Thailand in favour of the island paradise known to him only as The Beach. Its filled with beautiful imagery, realistic action and mortal plights enough to make you wish you'd find your own solitary haven.

China 

~ Wild Swans, Jung Chang

 I read this book while living in China. I've never been one for historical or autobiographical books but Wild Swans opened my eyes to a whole new China. Before reading the book I knew next to nothing about the history of China and its government. All I knew is that its an incredibly strict country who is obsessed with controlling the minds of the population. Wild Swans covers three generations of Chinese women and their lives over a hundred years. It taught me about communism, why China has the kind of views it has today and the horror of Mao's reign. I won't spoil too much but the book is haunting, revealing, engaging and will undoubtedly spark many in-depth conversations.

France 

~ Perfume, Patrick Suskind

Take a step back from the inspiring and informative with Patrick Suskind's thriller Perfume. Set in olden day Paris the book follows a murderer who, in short, is looking for the perfect perfume. First he experiments with the typical ingredients and then begins to look into more... unconventional methods. Feel free to fill in the gaps. Imagine sitting in a little Paris cafe, sipping an espresso and occasionally nibbling a croissant while, unbeknownst to those around you, you revel in the adventures of an unsympathetic killer. A world away from offering its readers escapism it sheds light on a fictitious, dirty old Paris through the eyes of an obsessed serial killer.

 New Zealand

~ Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkien
Of course Lord of the Rings would be in a top travelling books list. An epic quest, unique landscapes and boundless adventure all in one mammoth volume. The perfect book to coincide with your adrenaline filled trek across the volcanic islands of Oceania. Whilst reading the book in New Zealand you'll be able to see the environments for themselves with snowy peaked mountains, gorgeous plains and even the hobbits' home. As a new reader or a veteran Tolkien fan it'll keep you entertained on those slow nights in the hostel or during a seven hour train trip to the South Island.