As I read many books, I thought it’d be nice to share some of my favorite (and most recently read) books on topics like adventure, overlanding, and travel. As for now, you will find a selection of six, but I’m sure more will be added over time. So let’s see which ones I picked for you!
1. Adventure Revolution – Belinda Kirk
What is the definition of adventure? And why is adventure so good for us? If you had asked me before reading this book, I would have made something up which I thought was correct. With Belinda’s work in adventuring and guiding, and with countless examples included in this book, she puts ‘Adventure’ out there. It is not something we simply want to do because it’s fun. Going on an adventure is something we should all do because it’s good for us. A must-read if you ask me, to understand more about adventure and all its positive side effects.
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2. Kapp to Cape – Reza Pakravan
Telling a story from a first-person perspective in a chronological way isn’t easy – I can tell from my own experience. Not all days are equally as interesting, and some days are so full of experiences, that you barely have the time to note down the necessary details so you won’t forget them later on. Somehow, Reza has captured (and left out) all the essential details needed for a great story. You feel how his perspective changes, how he feels – and that isn’t always great – and how traveling with an almost stranger can be. To me, Kapp to Cape was a book that I just couldn’t put away. It did not only provide me with inspiration for our own books, but also sparked a fire inside me to – maybe, one day – go on an expedition not by car, but by bicycle.
3. First Overland – Tim Slessor
What do you do when you devise a plan to overland the world? You do it. Tim and his – soon to be – friends set off on an adventure in two Land Rover Defenders named Oxford and Cambridge. Along the way they attract sponsorships, they learn more about the world and its incredibly diverse cultures, and they face challenges they never thought they would have to face. I love the book for its rich storytelling, pulling you straight into the story, and the recognizability when it comes to overlanding. Although many years have passed since the men set off on their journey, many things still remain the same when it comes to traveling the world.
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4. Selection of books – Graeme Bell
If there is one person known for his books about overlanding, it is Graeme Bell. From ‘We Will Be Free’ to ‘Europe Overland’, he never ceases to amaze his readers. It took me a while to get used to his style, as he often includes his personal views and many interesting and informative stories throughout his storyline, but once I got the hang of it I found his books a very nice and leisurely read. Additionally to capturing life on the road with a family, he brings places to life and introduces you to the world through his personal lens and tales.
5. Life Lessons from the Amazon – Pip Stewart
Women can be tough. That should be a given, but it isn’t always. In this book, which I found through a podcast where Pip was a guest, she takes us into the Amazon – in Guyana, to be precise – where she and her two female expedition mates start a search for the source of the Essequibo, to then kayak all the way down to the sea. Pip starts every chapter with a theme, may that be ‘Happiness’ or ‘Death’, and tells her tales around this specific topic. At first, I wasn’t a fan of the chapter introductions. But, as I got to understand why she did it, I was grateful she did. She changed several of my views on adventure, expeditions, and travel, and I’m sure I will read this book again one day to revisit those – both her and mine – thoughts again.
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6. Tough Women Adventure Stories: Stories of Grit, Courage and Determination – Jenny Tough
You don’t always need a chronological story to make a book work. In Tough Women Adventure Stories, Jenny captured ‘Adventure’ in a collection of stories from women around the world. It’s an easy read with short chapters, which sometimes leaves you wanting more of a specific story, but overall I absolutely loved it. Adventure (Grit, Courage, and Determination, as she puts it so nicely) can be found in many areas of life. Not just in the outdoors, for example, but also in whatever life throws at you. As the stories are short, not all of them have made a lasting impression on me. However, every single one of them did evoke emotion and some serious thinking.
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Start reading and ignite your fire
There are plenty of books out there covering topics like adventure, travel, expeditions and mindset and I’m 100% sure I haven’t even scratched the surface with reading (and sharing) these books. However, if you find yourself endlessly scrolling or searching for the right book to start with, one of these six examples might be worth a try. They all have a different build-up, perspective, and type of storyline, so whatever you seek there will be something for you to read.
If you read one of them, I’d be very happy to know what you thought of it. Share it in the comments below, or send us a DM on Instagram. Happy reading!
Thanks for the tips! I haven’t read that much travel stories yet, but one I did read, (besides your own 😉) was the book written by one of my crew mates of SSCS on the ships in Melbourne, Australia. The Detour by Ben J. Harris. He walked and took public transport from Thailand to Western Europe through the Himalaya and Afghanistan. Little tip from me. 😊