Wanderlust Wednesday- Books That Inspire Travel

Last Wednesday I posted “Wanderlust- Movies That Inspire Travel”, and it got a lot of views and let’s face it, as much as I wish I could, I won’t be able to take a trip every week, so this will allow me to blog about travel in a different way!  So welcome to week two of “Wanderlust Wednesday”!  This week is 5 books that inspire travel!

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah Macdonald.

Ok, this is one of those many instances in life where you do not, I repeat, DO NOT, judge a book by its cover!  I have had a desire to travel to India since I was about 16 years old, and when I was 18 I found this book and sat it back down three times before I finally broke down and bought it (because of the cover).  I love this book because it gives a real and genuine version of her time in India.  It isn’t all happy, pretty things.  She has a breakdown or two and I love that about this!  It ties in my three loves in life: Anthropology, Religion and Travel.  However this book should come with a warning: you will want to go to India!

My Life in France by Julia Child (With Alex Prud’homme)

This book makes me not only want to return to France for the beautiful sites and regions that Julia describes, but it literally makes you want to go back in time and live in Paris in the 40′s.  This book, besides being totally adorable because her and her husband were crazy about each other, will draw you into France with her beautiful descriptions and her husband Paul’s beautiful photography!

The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemmingway

This is my favorite Hemmingway that I’ve read so far.  It’s set in Cote d’Azur (or the French Riviera), and it’s a different love-story about a couple honeymooning, when through some strange events end up falling in love with the same woman.  During this story they describe the towns, the lifestyle, the food, the drinks, the beaches, and it leaves you wanting to sip absinthe in the French Rivera with the Bournes.

The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This series influenced my childhood a lot.  Every time my family took a road trip anywhere my parents would help me look up on maps how close we would be to a Laura Ingalls Wilder home or museum, and if it was an hour or less away we would go.  These books are so descriptive of life in the past of my own country, and the way it made my imagination work as a little, little girl is amazing.  I would play and daydream about the Big Woods with bears and maple candy, and about Laura walking through the prairies and riding horses.  Let’s just say I made it to quite a few Laura Ingalls Wilder sites.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

  I saved the best for last.  This book has given me the greatest desire to go anywhere that anything ever has.  This book is set in Scotland, and it’s one that when you try to describe it to someone you feel silly, because it involves time-travel, and other mythical-ish things, but I am obsessed with these books, and now Scotland.  It’s a little of everything from historical fiction, to fantasy, to romance.  My mom and I are planning a long trip to Scotland where we will both be trying to travel through stone circles, and fighting for a sexy Scottish man named Jamie Fraser.  Everything about this book will make you fall in love with all things Scottish!  Seriously! P.s. It’s part of a series, and they’re all amazing!

Thanks for reading, and as always I would LOVE to hear about books, movies, art or anything else that has made you want to travel!  Also, let me know if you have or do read any of these and tell me what you think!  Have a great Wednesday!

*All Photos and links are from Amazon.com