Best Travel Books to Read in 2020
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One of my favorite hobbies is reading. There’s nothing like a good book, and there are so many options to choose from! Every year I try to read at least 1 book a month and this year I am adding a goal of at least 5 travel-related books. So check out my list of the best travel books to read in 2020. I’ll be updating this post as I finish each book, so stay tuned.
Book #1: Inspirational
Mindful Traveling: Journeying the World, Discovering Yourself by Sarah Samuel
Written by Sarah Samuel, this book combines traveling with the popular state of mindfulness. As Samuel writes, “Mindfulness happens effortlessly when we travel.” This is a good book to read at the start of a new year or while setting a new travel goal. Mindful Traveling is inspirational and practical at the same time, which sounds super hard to pull off, honestly. It made me dig deeper into why I travel (not just for the Insta pics). It also provided mindfulness exercises to practice becoming more present and aware, whether traveling or at home.
My favorite part of Mindful Traveling is the ending. Samuel closes by teaching readers how to bring mindful traveling back home. I don’t want to give anything away, but trust me, it’s worth a read!
Book #2: Awe-Inspiring
Lonely Planet’s Wonders of the World: 101 Great Sites and How to See Them on Any Budget
One of the best things about traveling is being blown away by the places you visit. When I travel, I want to be awed or challenged or educated about something new. Lonely Planet delivers the wow in Wonders of the World, which is why it’s next on my list. #3: Eye-Opening
That Wild Country: An Epic Journey Through the Past, Present, and Future of America’s Public Lands by Mark Kenyon
I’ve recently added the goal 
of visiting every U.S. National Park to my bucket list. I’m also a bit of a history nerd, so That Wild Country was right up my alley. Kenyon does a fantastic job of matching the history of America’s public lands with his own personal experiences with those same places. He makes you feel as if you were right there with him, exploring the wilderness or watching for bears or flipping a canoe in choppy rapids.
Not only has my own love of nature and the outdoors grown, but my awareness of the need to protect America’s national and public lands has also grown. That Wild Country is an eye-opening read for anyone who loves the outdoors and history.
#4: Whimsical and Heartfelt
How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in 13 Animals by Sy Montgomery
While this book may not technically be a travel book. Montgomery’s experiences with animals at home and while exploring the world spoke to the traveler in me. Each chapter is about a different animal in her life, whether her childhood dog or emus she came across in the Australian Outback.
By seeing different parts of the world through the eyes of an animal, and diving into what each animal can teach us, I felt like this book became so much more than just another travel book. The lessons learned, as well as the illustrations throughout, lend a heartfelt feel to How to Be a Good Creature. If you are an animal lover, I highly recommend picking this book up.
During this time of less travel and social distancing, I hope you have enjoyed my list of the best travel books to read in 2020. For more ideas to keep busy, check out my list of social distancing activities for travel-addicts.
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