Summary: In this article, I compiled 20 of the best travel books by women that celebrate courage, exploration, and self-discovery. Here are my top 3 choices:
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed
- Tracks by Robyn Davidson
- Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
TOP 20: Best Travel Books by Women
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed
- Tracks by Robyn Davidson
- Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
- The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman
- Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman
- Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy
- Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche
- No Baggage by Clara Bensen
- Alone Time by Stephanie Rosenbloom
- A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit
- Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
- The Lost Girls by Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, and Amanda Pressner
- What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman
- Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi
- Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach
- An Embarrassment of Mangoes by Ann Vanderhoof
- The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
- Wild by Nature by Sarah Marquis
- The Yellow Envelope by Kim Dinan
- The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton
1. Wild
- Author: Cheryl Strayed
- About: A memoir detailing Strayed's 1,100-mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, undertaken as a journey of self-discovery following personal tragedies.
- Style of writing: Candid and introspective, blending narrative with reflection.
- Length: Approximately 78,750 words.
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: Profound; leaves a lasting impression of resilience and healing.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; accessible language with deep emotional themes.
- Why read it: Offers an inspiring tale of personal redemption and the transformative power of nature.
2. Tracks
- Author: Robyn Davidson
- About: Chronicles Davidson's 1,700-mile trek across the Australian desert with camels and a dog, exploring themes of solitude and adventure.
- Style of writing: Descriptive and immersive, with rich portrayals of the landscape.
- Length: Approximately 64,000 words.
- Year written: 1980
- Emotional impact: Significant; evokes a sense of determination and connection to the land.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; engaging narrative with detailed descriptions.
- Why read it: Provides a compelling account of courage and the quest for independence.
3. Eat Pray Love
- Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
- About: Gilbert's journey through Italy, India, and Indonesia in search of pleasure, spirituality, and balance after a difficult divorce.
- Style of writing: Conversational and reflective, with touches of humor.
- Length: Approximately 352 pages.
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Inspiring; encourages self-exploration and embracing life's possibilities.
- Difficulty level: Easy; straightforward prose with relatable themes.
- Why read it: Inspires readers to pursue their own paths to happiness and fulfillment.
4. The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost
- Author: Rachel Friedman
- About: Friedman's adventures across three continents, finding freedom and friendship along the way.
- Style of writing: Engaging and humorous, with insightful observations.
- Length: Approximately 320 pages.
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: Uplifting; inspires wanderlust and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Easy; accessible and entertaining narrative.
- Why read it: Encourages embracing uncertainty and the transformative power of travel.
5. Tales of a Female Nomad
- Author: Rita Golden Gelman
- About: A memoir of leaving an unfulfilling life to travel the world and connect with diverse cultures.
- Style of writing: Warm, conversational, and inspiring.
- Length: Approximately 336 pages.
- Year written: 2001
- Emotional impact: Profound; highlights the beauty of human connections across cultures.
- Difficulty level: Easy; accessible and engaging.
- Why read it: Encourages stepping out of your comfort zone to embrace life’s adventures.
6. Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle
- Author: Dervla Murphy
- About: Chronicles Murphy's solo cycling journey from Ireland to India, braving challenges along the way.
- Style of writing: Descriptive and straightforward, with a sense of humor.
- Length: Approximately 288 pages.
- Year written: 1965
- Emotional impact: Inspiring; a testament to determination and curiosity.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; detailed but not overly complex.
- Why read it: Offers a unique perspective on adventure and resilience.
7. Love with a Chance of Drowning
- Author: Torre DeRoche
- About: A memoir of facing fears while sailing across the Pacific with her boyfriend.
- Style of writing: Funny, heartfelt, and vivid.
- Length: Approximately 400 pages.
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Emotional; mixes romance and adventure.
- Difficulty level: Easy; lighthearted yet thought-provoking.
- Why read it: Encourages overcoming fears for love and adventure.
8. No Baggage
- Author: Clara Bensen
- About: A spontaneous three-week trip through eight countries with no luggage, alongside a man she just met.
- Style of writing: Quirky and reflective, with dry humor.
- Length: Approximately 256 pages.
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Engaging; questions conventional approaches to travel and relationships.
- Difficulty level: Easy; simple and enjoyable.
- Why read it: Sparks curiosity about minimalism and spontaneity in travel.
9. Alone Time
- Author: Stephanie Rosenbloom
- About: An exploration of solo travel through four cities, highlighting the joys of solitude.
- Style of writing: Thoughtful and poetic, with personal insights.
- Length: Approximately 288 pages.
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Calming and inspiring; celebrates the art of being alone.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; introspective yet relatable.
- Why read it: Encourages savoring solitude and finding beauty in small moments.
10. A Field Guide to Getting Lost
- Author: Rebecca Solnit
- About: Essays exploring the pleasures and challenges of wandering and being lost.
- Style of writing: Philosophical and lyrical.
- Length: Approximately 224 pages.
- Year written: 2005
- Emotional impact: Profound; invites deep reflection on life and travel.
- Difficulty level: High; abstract and thought-provoking.
- Why read it: Explores the metaphorical and literal journeys of getting lost.
11. Under the Tuscan Sun
- Author: Frances Mayes
- About: A memoir about renovating an Italian villa and embracing the local culture.
- Style of writing: Lush, descriptive, and personal.
- Length: Approximately 320 pages.
- Year written: 1996
- Emotional impact: Uplifting; celebrates food, culture, and the beauty of slowing down.
- Difficulty level: Easy; accessible and vivid.
- Why read it: Provides a romantic escape into the Italian countryside.
12. The Lost Girls
- Authors: Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, and Amanda Pressner
- About: Three friends leave their careers to embark on a year-long, around-the-world adventure.
- Style of writing: Lighthearted, relatable, and engaging.
- Length: Approximately 560 pages.
- Year written: 2010
- Emotional impact: Inspiring; a celebration of friendship and wanderlust.
- Difficulty level: Easy; an enjoyable group narrative.
- Why read it: Encourages readers to follow their dreams of long-term travel.
13. What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding
- Author: Kristin Newman
- About: Humorous tales of solo travels and romantic escapades across various countries.
- Style of writing: Witty and self-deprecating.
- Length: Approximately 304 pages.
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Lighthearted; focuses on the joys of independence.
- Difficulty level: Easy; conversational and fun.
- Why read it: Perfect for those seeking humor and romance in travel.
14. Maiden Voyage
- Author: Tania Aebi
- About: At 18, Aebi becomes the youngest woman to sail solo around the world.
- Style of writing: Straightforward and inspiring.
- Length: Approximately 384 pages.
- Year written: 1989
- Emotional impact: Inspiring; a coming-of-age story on the high seas.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; engaging for a wide audience.
- Why read it: Captures a fearless spirit and a life-changing journey.
15. Without Reservations
- Author: Alice Steinbach
- About: A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist’s memoir of leaving her structured life to travel through Europe.
- Style of writing: Thoughtful, eloquent, and introspective.
- Length: Approximately 320 pages.
- Year written: 2000
- Emotional impact: Poignant; celebrates self-discovery through travel.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; beautifully written and reflective.
- Why read it: Encourages embracing spontaneity and finding joy in the unknown.
16. An Embarrassment of Mangoes
- Author: Ann Vanderhoof
- About: A couple’s two-year sailing journey through the Caribbean, exploring local cuisines and cultures.
- Style of writing: Lighthearted, sensory, and vivid.
- Length: Approximately 320 pages.
- Year written: 2003
- Emotional impact: Delightful; immerses readers in Caribbean life and flavors.
- Difficulty level: Easy; accessible and enjoyable.
- Why read it: Combines travel, food, and adventure for a rich reading experience.
17. The Geography of Bliss
- Author: Eric Weiner
- About: While authored by Weiner, this book explores happiness in different countries, featuring insights from female travelers.
- Style of writing: Witty, observational, and philosophical.
- Length: Approximately 368 pages.
- Year written: 2008
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking; encourages reflection on happiness and culture.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; blends humor with insight.
- Why read it: A unique exploration of global happiness from various perspectives.
18. Wild by Nature
- Author: Sarah Marquis
- About: Marquis’ solo trek across the Siberian tundra, the Gobi Desert, and the Australian outback.
- Style of writing: Raw, vivid, and inspiring.
- Length: Approximately 320 pages.
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Profound; a testament to endurance and the connection to nature.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; descriptive and engaging.
- Why read it: A powerful story of survival and self-reliance.
19. The Yellow Envelope
- Author: Kim Dinan
- About: Dinan’s journey of leaving her conventional life to travel the world, guided by a yellow envelope of money to give away.
- Style of writing: Heartfelt, reflective, and accessible.
- Length: Approximately 320 pages.
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Uplifting; highlights the joy of giving and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Easy; engaging and thought-provoking.
- Why read it: Encourages a different perspective on travel and generosity.
20. The Art of Travel
- Author: Alain de Botton
- About: An exploration of the philosophical aspects of travel, including perspectives from female travelers.
- Style of writing: Philosophical, poetic, and reflective.
- Length: Approximately 272 pages.
- Year written: 2002
- Emotional impact: Deeply reflective; challenges conventional views on travel.
- Difficulty level: High; intellectually stimulating.
- Why read it: Offers a unique, philosophical take on why and how we travel.
Conclusion
Travel books by women are a rich source of inspiration, combining adventure, self-discovery, and connection in powerful ways. For me, Wild, Tracks, and Eat Pray Love are absolute must-reads. These stories take you on unforgettable journeys—both across stunning landscapes and deep into the human experience. I think what makes these books so special is how they resonate on a personal level, inspiring courage and reflection. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just dreaming of new horizons, they remind us that the most meaningful journeys often start within ourselves.
