The Fourth of July may be over, but summer is heating up. Even though the three-day weekend is behind you, you can still find ways to escape in this summer's travel books, even if you're stuck in the office all week.
Beach reads are a staple of summer reading, but what do you do if instead of burying your toes in the sand, you eat a sad desk lunch at work? You may feel like you're stuck indoors all summer, but that doesn't mean your mind has to be. Between grueling commutes, endless morning meetings, and lengthy conference calls with people who are smart enough to step out of the office this summer, you have free rein to let your imagination run wild—that is, with the right book.
The only real cure for a summer spent indoors is a book about wild adventures, exotic travels, and the occasional magical experience. When you can't get stamps in your passport, you can at least add them to your library card, because a trip from your desk, even a fictional one, is better than no trip at all. If you need some travel inspiration, here are 12 travel books that will take you to a whole new place.
1. Max’s Yoga of Discontent by Karan Bajaj
Karan Bajaj's Yoga for Max's Discontent is India's #1 bestseller and will take you from the cold winter streets of New York City, to the treacherous slopes of the Himalayas, to southern India Embark on a mesmerizing physical and spiritual journey in a small monastery. After growing up as a poor immigrant kid in the city's projects, Max came a long way to becoming a successful Wall Street analyst. But after a heated argument, Max begins to question everything he thought he knew, so he embarks on a journey that will change his mind, body, and soul. A truly thought-provoking read.
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2. " Far Away: Reporting on the Edge of Change" by Andrew Solomon
If you prefer nonfiction to fiction, you can still get away this summer with a little help from journalist and essayist Andrew Solomon’s Far and Away . A collection of essays about places undergoing dramatic change—from the Soviet Union's failed coup to the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan and nearly everywhere in between—this book is a perfect blend of modern history, personal insight, and world travel. Far Away is a compelling, illuminating read about a changing world that will do just that: take you far.
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3. "The Way to Disappear " by Idra Novi
Decided not to compete in this Summer Olympics? Don’t worry, because Idra Novi’s The Lost Way will take you on an unforgettable journey through South America. When renowned Brazilian writer Beatriz Yagoda disappears, her American translator Emma leaves the snowy streets of Pittsburgh, not to mention her boyfriend and two children, to search for her. With the help of Beatrice's children, Emma searches the hot, sticky streets of Rio de Janeiro, only to discover that the author's life may have been more colorful than anyone imagined.
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4. "The Shining Sea" by Anne Korkeakivi
From the beautiful beaches of California to the once-in-a-lifetime parties of Woodstock, from the sweaty nightclubs of London to the remote inner islands of Scotland, Anne Kirkekevi's The Shining Sea takes you into the complex world of the Gannon family. A heart-wrenching story of war, family, and the endurance of memory, Sea of Radiance will take you around the globe without even leaving your reading chair.
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5. "Last Trip to Graceland" by Kim Wright
Who says you have to go abroad to take risks? If you've read Kim Wright's Last Ride to Graceland , you've been with the main character, Cory Ainsworth, a A struggling blues musician, haunted by the death of her mother, travels from her home in South Carolina to Graceland to try to find out the truth. : Is Elvis Presley her father? It's a light, entertaining read with interesting characters and a compelling mystery that you'll want to go on the adventure with - that is , the final journey to Graceland .
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6. Bastards by Stephen Graham Jones
In his unique and imaginative novel Bastards , Stephen Graham Jones takes readers on a timeless road trip across the American South, led by a young boy, his Aunt Libby and Uncle Darren, They move in and out of the darkness, trying to maintain their identities. hidden. But the older the boy gets, the more he begins to wonder if he belongs in the family, or if his place lies somewhere else entirely. Funny and heartbreaking, "Bastards" is unlike any summer read you've read before.
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7. "Queen of the Night " by Alexander Chi
Open Alexander Chee's "The Queen of the Night" and you will find yourself instantly transported to Paris, a city full of lights and love. When beautiful, legendary opera singer Lilliet Berne is finally given her own original role, she's beyond excited until she realizes the libretto written for her is also about her. As Lilit frantically searches for clues to discover who is trying to uncover the truth about her hidden past, she recounts her adventurous and extraordinary life in fascinating detail. A captivating story with unforgettable characters, Queen of the Night is a charming summer read that will leave you spellbound.
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8. The Curious Charm of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
Get ready for a laugh-out-loud adventure around the world in Phaedra Patrick's The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper . A year after his wife's death, 69-year-old Arthur Pepper discovered a piece of jewelry he had never seen among his wife's belongings. This seemingly trivial incident set him on a journey from London to London. An epic journey to Paris and then to India for love and truth. Starring some incredible characters you can't help but fall in love with, The Curious Charm of Arthur Pepper is a witty, entertaining read that will keep you stuck indoors all day in the summer Get the boost you need from your blues.
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9. “Enchanted Island” by Allison Amend
Inspired by Francis Conway's real-life memoirs, Alison Amend's The Enchanted Islands transports you to a world like no other: the Galapagos Islands. After a quiet, cramped, impoverished childhood in the Midwest, Fanny's life takes one unexpected turn after another, the most exciting of which is the opportunity to serve as an undercover spy for the United States during World War II. But how many secrets can Fanny keep, and what secrets does her new island home hold? You'll have to read "The Enchanted Island" to find out.
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10. "The Girl from Everywhere " Heidi Heiliger
If you're looking for an adventurous teen that will let your imagination get out of the office and into trouble, look no further than Heidi Heilig's Girls from Around the World . The first part of the series takes you not only across the globe, but through time itself, introducing readers to Nyx, a young girl who has spent her entire life aboard her father's mysterious ship, searching for a map that can reunite her 's father and her mother—and possibly wipe Nix out of existence. Set primarily in Honolulu in 1868, The Girl from Everywhere is a fun and fantasy tropical adventure game that will keep you hooked.
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11. Delia Ephron, Syracuse
Best-selling author Delia Ephron takes readers on a vacation to Syracuse , Italy in this novel about friendship, marriage, love, and lies. Efron's novel, set in the coastal town of Syracuse, tells the story of two couples on vacation on the Ionian Sea as they struggle to come to terms with the realities of their relationships. Told from alternating perspectives, "Syracuse" is a fast-paced, emotional read that will leave you breathless by the end. Oh, by the way, grab your passport, because as soon as you read about the crystal blue waters and warm breezes, you'll be on the next flight to Sicily.
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12. Deborah Levy’s Warm Milk
Some people travel for fun, others for work, but in Deborah Levy's "Hot Milk," young anthropologist Sophia and her ailing mother travel for health. Sofia and her mother spend a lifetime trying to figure out their mother's unexplained illness, then fly to the Spanish coast to seek consultation with a famous doctor who might be able to cure it once and for all. A riveting book about sex, rage, medicine, and the drive to survive, Hot Milk is a unique novel that reads like a lucid dream.
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Photo credit: Dariusz Sankowski/Unsplash
