Lockdown library: Top six reads to inspire some armchair travel

With a week of heavy news, we feel it’s just about time for a favourites lists. Essential as part of the tool belt of any traveller is a good book. Usually we turn to e-books or a hard copy for plane rides and local transport, but this time we’re not using them to kill “dead time” and instead put them to good use to help keep our minds travelling, even when we can’t.

Here’s our top six picks for the ultimate lockdown library:

‘A Year in Provence‘, Pete Mayle

Top of the list for a reason. This warmhearted account, tells a story of what it’s like to realise a lifelong dream and move into an old stone farmhouse in the remote French countryside.

Instantly transporting you to this quaint and tiny village, you’ll want each line to last a little longer as you laugh out loud at Mayle’s natural ability to set the scene as we delve into the earthy pleasures of life in Provence.

‘The Alchemist‘, Paulo Coelho

One of recent history’s most-read books, this tale follows a shepherd boy from Spain to Egypt as he lets his heart guide the way and in turn, learns about the meaning of life.

‘Eastern Horizons: Hitchhiking the Silk Road‘, Levison Wood

Levison Wood is a professional explorer, earning his title as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, having travelled to more than 80 countries.

This book is so much more than an account of an epic expedition through harsh terrains. Revisit the true essence of why we travel as you read accounts of human interaction and examples of generosity of spirit that will truly sell “hitchhiking the silk road”.

‘The Geography of Bliss’, Eric Weiner

What could be better than taking a year off to have an adventure to find the world’s happiest places? Well, that’s exactly what this author did. From Iceland to Qatar, Denmark and India, his question remains the same: “What makes a society happy?”

Take notes as you go, life lessons come included with this one.

‘A Year of Living Danishly’, Helen Russell

When this author follows her husband to Denmark for his new job, her sideline becomes to figure out why the Danes are so happy. A hilarious account of someone trying to fit in, this one covers all the bases and makes you want to catch a flight that side when travel becomes a reality again.

‘No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach’, Anthony Bourdain

It’s a safe assumption to say we’ve all thought about eating our way across the world and when we can’t, this book is as close to second prize as you can possibly get.

Love him or hate him, when it comes to food travel, there’s no one like Bourdain. Expect sprinklings of profanity heavy commentary and photos to help get those tastebuds working overtime.