If you’re looking to get off your couch and into the wilderness, but can’t seem to pull the trigger, we may have a solution for you. The following three books tell tales of heart and adventure, and they may just inspire you to trust in yourself and go traveling!
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
One of the most popular books of all time, The Alchemist follows a young shepherd’s journey from Spain to Egypt. He does this in such an earnest way that you won’t be able to resist getting inspired by his journey. Perhaps this quote from the book sums it up best: “If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man.”
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Set in the Beat Generation, this is about as classic a travel book as you can find. Jack Kerouac tells the story of Sal as he leaves New York City and travels west, discovering all kinds of new adventures in the process. More than anything, he learns a lot about his own strength and confidence.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
This isn’t usually the first book people jump to when they think about traveling the world in the modern sense. That’s because The Hobbit is set in the fictional world of Middle Earth, so perhaps there isn’t much commonality there. But as far as inspiring one to have an adventure, The Hobbit is one of the best books you can find. Given that the protagonist is an innocent halfling who gets yanked out of his comfy life to go aid a group of dwarves on a perilous quest with mountains, goblins, and dragons—this certainly fits the bill.