Last updated:: 11:00 PM ET, Mon January 19, 2015
<p><em>"Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are," - Mason Cooley</em></p>
<p>This time of year, the dreary winter weather always gets me dreaming of an exotic escape. But when I'm unable to just hop on the next plane to paradise and embark on an adventure (which is basically almost always), then I turn to my next favorite pastime: reading. There are countless travel books that will captivate you with their tales of wandering the world. Here are 9 of my favorites, ranging from the classic must-reads to a few new releases.</p>
<p><strong>A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson</strong></p>
<p><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3517/3470401140_3b096804e2_z.jpg" /></p>
<p><em style="line-height: 1.6;">Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jakebouma/3470401140">Jake Bouma</a> via Flickr</em></p>
<p>In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Woods-Rediscovering-America-Appalachian/dp/0307279464/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421097397&sr=1-1&keywords=a+walk+in+the+woods">A Walk in the Woods</a>, Bill Bryson tells the story of his 2,100 mile hike along The Appalachian Trail. Along the way, he humorously tells tales of his misadventures, the various unique hikers he meets, and his always memorable exchanges with eccentric travel companion Katz. But A Walk in the Woods is more than just an entertaining travelogue; the book also recounts the history of the Appalachian Trail while providing a compelling case to conserve the trail today. You don't have to be an outdoor enthusiast to appreciate this travel classic.</p>
<p><strong>The Longest Road by Philip Caputo</strong></p>
<p><a href=""http://www.amazon.com/"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1250048745&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=acrucou-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=acrucou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1250048745" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" /></p>
<p>Pulitzer Prize-winning author Philip Caputo embarks on the ultimate road trip from Key West to the Arctic Ocean in his travelogue <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Longest-Road-Overland-America/dp/1250048745" target="_blank">The Longest Road</a>. During the trip, Caputo interviews everyday Americans about what unites - and divides - the U.S. as a country. The answers he receives provide an entertaining and informative story about the vast and diverse United States. This is a must-read if you're considering road-tripping across the good ol' USA.</p>
<p><strong>Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1401341950&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=acrucou-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=acrucou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1401341950" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" /></p>
<p>Written by a fellow travel blogger, I was immediately intrigued by the poignant memoir Love With a Chance of Drowning. In the voyage of a lifetime, DeRoch faces her fear of deep water to sail around the world with a newly acquainted Argentinian. What follows is a charming love story, travel memoir, and hilarious adventure-the perfect inspiration if you're a fearful adventurer yourself!</p>
<p><strong>The Beach by Alex Garland</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1573226521&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=acrucou-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=acrucou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1573226521" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" /></p>
<p>In our globalized world, it's no secret that "hidden gems" and "off-the-beaten-path destinations" are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Alex Garland's debut novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beach-Alex-Garland/dp/1573226521/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421100404&sr=1-1&keywords=the+beach" target="_blank">The Beach</a>, takes us on a spellbinding quest to find such a secret Eden-but then reveals what happens when travelers do in fact find it. This is a thought-provoking narrative that all travelers can relate to.</p>
<p><strong>Where The Peacocks Sing by Allison Gee</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0312378785&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=acrucou-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=acrucou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312378785" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" /></p>
<p>There's a reason why this memoir was named National Geographic Traveler's Book of the Year. In a unique love story, a glamorous magazine writer follows her fiancé to India, where she finds out his family owns a 100-room palace! Allison Gee offers a unique take on Indian culture and a humorous tale of self-discovery in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Peacocks-Sing-Palace-Prince/dp/0312378785/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421101678&sr=1-1&keywords=where+the+peacocks+sing" target="_blank">Where the Peacocks Sing</a>.</p>
<p><strong>The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0618658947&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=acrucou-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=acrucou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0618658947" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" /></p>
<p>In this modern classic, Theroux takes readers on a grand railway odyssey. Starting from London's Victoria Station, traveling all the way to Tokyo Central, and then navigating back to the Trans Siberian, Theroux captures the essence of the people and the places all along the way. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Railway-Bazaar-Paul-Theroux/dp/0618658947" target="_blank">The Great Railway Bazaar </a>is a witty anecdote that's perfect for your next train trip, or simply a bit of armchair entertainment.</p>
<p><strong>The Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevara</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1876175702&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=acrucou-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=acrucou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1876175702" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" /></p>
<p>You might have seen the popular movie, but if you haven't read the book, then you're missing out. Actually the travel diary of Che Guevara, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Diaries-Notes-American-Journey/dp/1876175702/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421103225&sr=1-1&keywords=the+motorcycle+diaries" target="_blank">The Motorcycle Diaries</a> tells the story of an often misunderstood continent, while also providing an inside look at the controversial revolutionary leader himself. Perfect for history enthusiasts or those who simply find South America fascinating.</p>
<p><strong>The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=044669889X&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=acrucou-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=acrucou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=044669889X" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" /></p>
<p>I think we all can admit that we want to be as happy as possible. But <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Geography-Bliss-Grumps-Search-Happiest/dp/044669889X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421104705&sr=1-1&keywords=the+geography+of+bliss" target="_blank">The Geography of Bliss</a> is unique in that it doesn't just talk about how to become happy, but rather where happiness is. In "one grump's search for the happiest place in the world," Eric Weiner offers interesting insight on what it takes to be happy, while taking the reader to Iceland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Bhutan, Thailand, India, Moldova, Great Britain and the U.S.</p>
<p><strong>The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1619492350&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=acrucou-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=acrucou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1619492350" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" /></p>
<p>If you only read one book on this list, make it Mark Twain's timeless classic, <a href="http://www.apple.com/" target="_blank">The Innocents Abroad.</a> The book follows Twain's journey across the Atlantic on a steamboat and then to iconic destinations in Europe and the Holy Land. It's been nearly 150 years since it was first published, yet the novel remains as humorous and insightful as ever. </p>
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