9 Recommended Books To Read During Your Travel (Part 2)

Note: in case you haven’t read the first part here, feel free to read it first before you carry on. 😉 

So you’ve probably read the first part of my post in which I rambled about how I’d like to recommend books like Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince to Orhan Pamuk’s The Museum of Innocence. And as you probably know, the still still goes on so in case you need any inspiration on what to read on your journey, hope this post will help!

As silly as it sounds, I was inspired by the scene where That 70s Show’s Eric Forman in his break and basically being a slacker reading Jack Kerouac’s On The Road instead of actually getting on the road.

In case anyone asked whether I gave a chance for On The Road to be on my own personal list, then no… Well, I’ve read Jack Kerouac’s classic On The Road in one of my travels but then I realized that the book is probably not for everybody. Moreover, it’s probably just not for me.

So, what’s on my list?

5. Nice Is Just A Place In France (The Betches)

Why did I purchase this book?

I honestly forgot where I bought this book and why. But then if anything, I suppose this is the kind of book that I only bought because I judged it by the cover. First of all, the title kinda says it all: Nice is Just a Place in France.

If you appreciate pun like I do, then you probably understand how you want to buy the book just because.

Second of all, the highlight written on the back of the cover tells things the way it is: don’t be easy, don’t be poor, don’t be ugly. 

I mean, as someone who lives in social media era where everything you see is somehow superficial, the statement is sadly true.

The Plot

This is not the kind of book that tells you a story. This is more like a book offering their tips and trick on how to live your life.

Imagine Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad, except this one is the guide for you to live your life as a woman who comes from millennial generation in which you get used to everything in instant. But at the same time, so many burdens to get it instantly.

The oxymoron kind of era, if you know what I mean.

“Think of your courtship with your bro like you’re a car salesman, and he’s the buyer. When selling the Mercedes, do you tell the bro all about the premium gas he’ll need to fill it up with and the monthly car washes and repairs it will need? No, you let him discover that once he’s already fallen in love. With that, we propose that you hide your true colors and pretend to be low-maintenance.”

-Nice Is Just A Place In France, The Betches

Why is it suitable to read during travel? 

This is probably not the kind of book you want to read if you’re into that motivational book and whatnot. Believe me, if you are, this is not the kind of niche you’re looking for.

But if you were someone like me and you have to struggle with your sassy mouth and get a lot of complaints on how you could actually improve your attitude, this book is kind of a fresh air. It speaks the truth at some point, although at some others it can be real annoying.

Although if you’re on the road trip, say if you’re commuting during your travel and you’re alone, this book is suitable for a little laugh. 😀

6. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Benjamin Alire Saenz)

Why did I purchase this book?

Another one that I bought because I simply judged the book by its cover. But more than just the cover, I was quite attracted with the title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

At first, I thought Aristotle and Dante refer to the philosopher and the poet. Boy, was I wrong! 😀

The Plot

Aristotle and Dante here, as it turns out, refer to two teenagers whose personalities are opposite to each other but then against all odds, they develop a special bond that will teach them the most important truths of their lives, and help define the people they want to be.

“I had a rule that it was better to be bored by yourself than to be bored with someone else. I pretty much lived by that rule. Maybe that’s why I didn’t have any friends.”

-Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Benjamin Alire Saenz

Why is it suitable to read during your travel?

Despite the fact that it is actually a teen lit, what surprised me is the fact that this book is so full of beautiful words. A simple one that a 12-year-old would understand, but deep enough for a 28-year-old think that there’s something they could improve in their life.

The novel is about finding your own true self with the help of people that matter to you. And what’s travel without finding yourself and people that actually matter? 🙂

7. Raymie Nightingale (Kate DiCamillo)

Why did I purchase the book?

I got this book from Periplus at Plaza Senayan last year when I still worked for my previous company. It was a payday and I felt like I wanted to invest some money in books, so I chose this one because I found this on the children’s book shelf.

I think, deep down inside I know that I’m always a kid at heart. And there’s always something that you can get from a children book when you’re an adult. So I picked up this book and paid to the register, despite there’s only short description behind the cover: Three girls. One summer. A friendship that changed their lives.

The Plot

A story about a girl who thinks that the world is in her shoulder. She has a plan to win the Little Miss Central Florida competition in order to find her dad who has left her. She was so sure that if she could win the contest, he would eventually see her and come back.

In order to win the competition, she has to learn how twirl a baton. While learning to do so, she made friends with two other: Louisana who’s frequently fainting and the stubborn Beverly.

“I tell you what: fear is a big waste of time. I’m not afraid of anything.” 

-Raymie Nightingale, Kate DeCamillo

Why is it suitable to read during your travel?

The perks of reading a children book is that you don’t need to think too much to read between the lines because at some point, you’ll understand while at the same time you know there’s always something you can learn through the moral message.

That is exactly the kind of things you’ll get from Raymie Nightingale.

Like what’s written on the back of the book though: One summer. Three friends. A friendship that changed their lives.

You might as well find those during your journey, so why not reading about it first? 🙂

8. Where’d You Go, Bernadette (Maria Semple)

Why did I purchase this book?

It was simply because the author’s name is Maria. 😛

I know it sounds so superficial, but it’s true. Like I’m so narcissistic to the point that I could buy anything that reminds me of myself. Be it the name of the author (even the spelling way of name is different than mine) or the character.

To name a few, I’ve got a few books with title, author, or character with my name on it: Marya Wanita Luar Biasa (Marya The Incredible Woman) by Hendrasmara, Looking for Alaska by John Green and Danielle Steel’s 44 Charles Street.

Besides the name of the author, I was also quite attracted to the edgy style of woman cartoon in the cover. Typical.

The Plot

The story begins after the disappearance of Bernadette from her daughter’s point of view, Bee. She disappears right before their family trip to Antarctica, Bee’s special request if she could ace her report card, which she did.

The 15-year-old Bee gathers correspondence relating to her mother and while doing so, she has found not only the clues to her mother’s disappearance but also the story abouth her mother’s background long before her marriage to her father.

The clues written on the novel not only helps you to put two and two together, but also they tell you the story about a mother and daughter’s role in this absurd world.

“I love you, Bee. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.” 

-Where’d You Go, Bernadette, Maria Semple

Why is it suitable to read during your travel? 

This is a book with a lot of absurd situation as well as wittiness, but I think not only that the relationship between Bee and Bernadette is not the only one that I could relate as I’ve got a mother who always tries her best as my mom, but I could totally see myself as Bernadette one day if I were a mother.

Bernadette used to be an alpha female who has got her things together being a famous architect and all, but then she fell in love and had to leave her career behind to be with her family.

This book tells you about the sacrifice a mother could make for the family, and no matter how strong she is as a woman, and how she’s entitled to superwoman nickname, she also sometimes just needs a break.

9. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared (Jonas Jonasson)

Why did I purchase the book?

The book above is the second edition of this novel that I’ve purchased. Why did I have to buy it twice?

Because I love it so much that when my friend didn’t return the book that she borrowed (she was either pretending to forget or silently suffering with Alzheimer, couldn’t tell which one is the real situation!), I decided to buy and re-read it. Don’t you hate it that you gotta lose the book with some marks on the fascinating chapter and quotes that you’ve read along the way?

However, the first reason why I bought this book was because I got a 20% off for this book in Kinokuniya when I had a 5-day layover in Kuala Lumpur when I was still flying. I simply bought it because of the discount and I was so bored about getting around Kuala Lumpur during my 5-day layover that I mostly spent my day sitting at Kinokuniya and reading some random books.

Who would’ve thought that this book would be some kind of my serendipity?

The Plot

The story begins with Allan Karlsson’s 100th birthday at this nursing home and while the centenarian himself thought that he was still in good health, he flee to the nearest bus stop to go some place else and from there, he embarks an unexpected journey that would complete her adventure of a lifetime.

As someone in his 100s, Allan has got a prominent role during his time on earth in which he was already alive some time before Bolshevik Revolution, as well as his capability to enable himself to share meals with some key roles in the history such as Stalin, Churchill, Truman and even de Gaulle.

Obviously, this one right here is a satire. But I didn’t expect to see something like Indonesia in this book, but boy I did! 😛

“Allan had always reasoned about religion that if you couldn’t know for sure then there was no point in going around guessing.”

-The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared, Jonas Jonasson

Why is it suitable to read during your travel?

I ended my first reading with ‘awwwww’ because I was so mesmerized with the whole plot of the story that it simply just took my breath away.

No kidding, I’m in love with this book and it made me buy any book written by Jonas Jonasson. I mean, I’ve read The Girl Who Saved The King of Sweden and Hitman Anders And The Meaning of It All but then nothing is as good as The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared.

Now that I think about it, I’m not sure what is with Jonas Jonasson and fairly long title for his books. 😛

But why is it suitable to read during your travel? Because it opens you to the big events in the world. I mean, I mentioned that he was born some time before Bolshevik Revolution right? The rest was just history, from World War 2 to the Indonesian election that announced SBY as the president!

Also, the book also tells the story how Allan Karlsson has traveled literally around the world during his 100 years living in this world. I mean, can’t you just relate at some point if your aim is to live long enough to see the world?

Okay, so I think it’s enough for the list of my favorite books. If you’re more into travel related books, you can also check this out for more recommendations. 🙂

Let me know your comment below if you’ve ever read the book(s) that I’ve listed and feel free to tell me whether you love it or you’re against it.

Meanwhile, happy travel for fellow travelers who are in the middle of your journey and be safe anytime. Cheerio!

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Also read: 10 Must Read Travel Books

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Disclaimer: 

This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

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