Below are some of my favorite travel inspired reads. I'm always looking for new reads to take with me, so if you have one that's not on the list comment below:
A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout
I always have mixed feelings about this book, but I think it’s worth taking the time to read. Like many people, Amanda caught the travel bug at a young age. After backpacking South America, she found herself in places like Bangladesh, India, and eventually Sudan and Syria. Her travels eventually led her to a career as a television reporter where she took on an assignment in Somalia. It was during this trip that Amanda was kidnapped and held hostage for 460 days. Although Amanda can seem a bit naïve during some parts of the book, I think it’s a good reminder that we can all be a bit naïve while traveling. At the very least, it’s inspiring to read about the tactics Amanda used to survive during her time captive and her ability to move on after coming home.
Long Walk to Free by Nelson Mandela
I picked this up while traveling in Cape Town and although it’s a bit of a heavy read (almost 800 pages) it’s definitely worth it. Mandela recounts the events that shaped his life starting from childhood in a way that feels like he’s sitting right in front of you. It not only gives you a glimpse into the life of a great man, but also into the history of South Africa and the everyday hardships many South Africans faced during apartheid.
