Monday, July 7, 2014

the problem with travel books and wanderlust

I am, and will always been, in love with traveling. Insatiable Wanderlust. Some times all it takes is a quick weekend trip away from everything. Most of the time though, I'm daydreaming of all the other
countries, as well as other states right here in the US, that I want to see.

Unfortunately, I am also a very broke college graduate with rent to pay and a wedding to plan.  I don't exactly have an abundance of time or money.

Luckily I do have an escape, BOOKS. I can take a road trip cross country, learning about new landmarks along with the characters, and revisiting ones that I've been to before. I can travel to different countries that I've dreamed of visiting for well... ever.

I especially like the books that have me sitting with my phone or laptop next to me so that I can google places and facts to learn more. I can know random details, or fun stories of traditions and culture without ever having been there.

Sadly the "without ever having been there", is the kicker. Traveling via book is fantastic, but sometimes it only serves to make me want to jump on the next plane to a new country. I just get in my car and start driving.

So you tell me. Am I just the weird one here? Or are there others like me? Please comment below! Where do you want to go? What are your favorite travel books?? Can't wait to see your replies!

13 comments:

  1. I would love to be able to travel more as well, but it's just not something we can do at the moment with my husband's job and Master's programs. I do love that I'm able to see new places through books, though. I do spend a lot of time googling things as well as I read (I also like to do this when watching television). I definitely know how you feel about all of this!

    Tiffany
    Beneath the Jacket Reviews

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  2. I love reading books about places I haven't visited. I'm doing a book trip on my blog where I pick a book to go to next every week. Reading often makes me want to pack my bag and go somewhere immediately. Great post!

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  3. I love travelogues and travel memoirs. I'd love to travel more but it just gets harder the older you get (more stuff ties you down and all). So I travel via books. I loved THE LOST GIRLS (four friends travel the world) and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DATES as well as anything by Bill Bryson.

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  4. Wanderlust!! .... I love to travel, I've been lucky lately...I'm travelling a lot! I save money all the time to travel hehe. What books about travel can you recommend me?

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  5. Have you tried Paul Theroux? The Happy Isles of Oceania is amazing. And anything by Bruce Chatwin.

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  6. I'm very similar, and if you haven't already read it, Wanderlust by Elisabeth Eaves really validated my feelings on the subject!

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  7. I'm the exact same! I love reading books either where a character is travelling or where it just takes place in a country other than the US. But it definitely sparks the need to travel (it's an actual need, not just a want). Next on the list for me is Iceland! :)

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  8. You are totally not the only one! I'm the same. I love to read books featuring travel of any sort. My first real taste of travel (well, the one that first stuck with me) was Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard. Then after reading more books like it and hearing about people I know traveling, it's all I can think about. I never really got to go many places growing up. My first out of state vacation (that wasn't a state bordering my state) was when I was 21. I'm working on a plan to go out west on vacation with my best friend to either Las Vegas or California. My biggest dream vacation is Austria. I've been dreaming of that since I was like 7. The travel books definitely help, but I would so LOVE to be able to travel more. :)

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  9. How timely! Lost in Books, Savvy Working Gal and I just started a Travel the World in Books reading challenge. It's flexible- you choose your own adventure, make your own rules and goals. I would love to travel internationally and visit other countries but will have to settlefor books. Hope you will join our challenge.http://momssmallvictories.com/travel-the-world-in-books-reading-challenge/

    My bucket list includes Puerto Rico, Greece and Italy. As for books, I loved Under the Jewel Sky (India), At least youre in Tuscany (Italy), Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (China).

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  10. I love to travel and when I can't, books are definitely the next best thing! I really like travel memoirs or tales of women who have moved to another country and how they adjusted. I'd love to move overseas and keep suggesting places, but the husband wants to stay in the US. Party pooper! lol

    Terri @ Alexia's Books and Such...

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  11. Yes!! I just read John Steinbeck's "Travels With Charley" and it very much made me want to get in my car and goooo! Same when I read "Amy & Roger's Epic Detour".

    (Review of Steinbeck here.)

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  12. I just want to go everywhere. Everywhere. Books help with that but they don't really lessen...well...the wanderlust. Lol. Lovely post <3
    Jackie @ No Bent Spines

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  13. I really want to travel to Japan one day and I have a bunch of travel books about it (especially ones that have pictures!), but it just makes me want to go so bad, and being a student, I can't really afford to go at the moment. To satisfy the wanderlust I've been going to a bunch of local or nearby places I've never been before, instead. :)

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