Key Takeaways
- My 2015 New Year’s resolution was to read more, and I can say, for the first time in my life, that I kept that resolution (I swear, next year, I will
- I’ve fallen in love with reading all over again. Growing up I was an avid reader (not many 15-year-olds read the unabridged Les�?Misérables for fun),
- And so, with another year coming to an end, I wanted to share the books that inspired wanderlust in me the most:
My 2015 New Year’s resolution was to read more—and for the first time in years, I actually kept it (though next year, I promise to hit the gym more seriously!). I finished over 80 books covering travel, history, business, self-development, and biography.
I’ve rediscovered the joy of reading. As a teenager, I devoured classics like the unabridged *Les Misérables*—but in recent years, streaming eclipsed shelves. Reconnecting with books reminded me how powerful it is to step into someone else’s worldview: to absorb their insights, empathize with their journeys, and emerge inspired to travel deeper and live more intentionally.
As another year closes, here are 11 standout travel books that stirred my curiosity, expanded my perspective, and reignited my wanderlust—curated by Route for Less for readers who seek meaning, adventure, and authenticity on the page and on the road.
1. The Art of Travel, by Alain de Botton
This isn’t a tale of derring-do—it’s a philosophical exploration of why we travel. De Botton examines anticipation, arrival, observation, memory, and return, weaving literature, art, and psychology into reflections on beauty, longing, and the ordinary moments that shape our journeys. His elegant prose invites slow reading and deeper thinking—making it one of the most intellectually rewarding travel books you’ll encounter.
2. Turn Right at Machu Picchu, by Mark Adams
Adams retraces Hiram Bingham’s 1911 expedition through Peru’s Andes—enduring muddy trails, altitude sickness, and skeptical locals—to uncover the real story behind Machu Picchu’s rediscovery. Part adventure narrative, part historical detective work, this engaging travelogue deepens understanding of Inca heritage and inspires thoughtful, off-the-beaten-path exploration in Peru.
3. The Lost City of Z, by David Grann
Grann investigates the mysterious 1925 disappearance of British explorer Percy Fawcett in the Amazon—and uncovers startling truths about pre-colonial civilizations. Blending investigative journalism, archival research, and immersive field reporting, this book reshapes perceptions of the Amazon as an untouched wilderness, revealing instead a landscape once home to complex societies. It’s a masterclass in narrative nonfiction that transforms how you see geography, history, and discovery.
4. Marching Powder, by Rusty Young & Thomas McFadden
Based on a true story, this gripping account follows Thomas McFadden—a British man imprisoned in Bolivia’s infamous San Pedro Prison. With astonishing access and dark humor, Young documents a surreal micro-society where inmates ran businesses, hosted tours, and navigated layered corruption. More than a crime story, it’s a stark, human portrait of justice, resilience, and tourism ethics in unexpected places.
5. Cockpit Confidential, by Patrick Smith
For nervous flyers—or anyone curious about aviation—this Q&A-style guide by a veteran airline pilot demystifies air travel. From turbulence and cockpit protocols to runway logistics and pilot fatigue, Smith answers questions with clarity, authority, and dry wit. It won’t eliminate all flight anxiety—but it replaces fear with understanding, making every journey feel more grounded and informed.
