Last updated on June 12th, 2023
Great Reads to Inspire Travel
JourneyWoman Book Club
Travel by Book
Never Too Old to Travel Solo: At 86, Joyce Perrin is Still Making Connections
You’re never too old to travel solo, says 86-year old author Joyce Perrin in her memoir, “Ants in My Pants”. Join Joyce and other 80+ authors on our September 28 webinar.
Join Our Monthly Book Club Meeting
We partner with TripFiction to present you with compelling reads set in incredible locations. The TripFiction database has thousands of location-based books set all around the world to transport you to a location of your dreams – or, perhaps one you are about to visit. Looking for book ideas? Visit TripFiction’s Great Reads page and use the map to find the book of your dreams.
Book Club meetings are hosted by Wendy, Sally and Carolyn and are held the third Wednesday of each month at 8 pm EDT. If you purchase a book, please use the links on our site. We recommend you order books in advance, check your local library, use audiobooks or share!
Please support our book club by buying your book or ebook using the links on our site.
2023 Book Club Selections
The JourneyWoman Book Club Travels to Ukraine With Erin Litteken’s “The Memory Keeper of Kyiv”
JourneyWoman readers have chosen Erin Litteken’s “The Memory Keeper of Kyiv”, set in Ukraine, as our January 2023 Book of the Month.
Introducing the 2023 JourneyWoman Travel Book Club Selections
Introducing our first round of books for the 2023 JourneyWoman Travel Book Club, as chosen by our readers.
Laura Maya’s Memoir “Tell Them My Name” Celebrates Curiosity and Exploration
Laura Maya’s new memoir, “Tell Them My Name”, takes us to Nepal to explore the beauty of our differences and the joy of exploration.
Previous Book Club Selections
“The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” Affirms the Nourishing Power of Books
Our October book of the month explores the little-known history of the German occupation of Guernsey and affirms the power of the written word.
Travel to Morocco With Vendela Vida’s “The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty”
Set in Morocco, Vendela Vida’s novel “The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty” features a solo traveller on her own journey to identity.
Alka Joshi’s “The Henna Artist” Takes Us To 1950s Jaipur, India
Alka Joshi’s debut novel “The Henna Artist” brings 1950s Rajasthan to life with themes of freedom and independence that connect all women.
Explore the World by Book
Leslie Ehm: Lessons From My Mother, the Original JourneyWoman, Evelyn Hannon
With the publication of her new book, ‘Swagger’, Leslie Ehm shares lessons learned from her mother, Evelyn Hannon, the founder of JourneyWoman.
Bike The Silk Route in Kate Harris’ Memoir “Lands of Lost Borders”
Kate Harris’ memoir ‘Lands of Lost Borders: Out of Bounds on the Silk Road’, follows Marco Polo’s journey across Asia.
Easy-Walking Europe: Accessible Travel and Mobility Tips for the Young at Heart
Author Elizabeth Bingham shares tips for accessible travel in Europe from “Easy-Walking Europe: Tips and Suggested Tours for the (Somewhat) Mobility Impaired.
Books, Films and Documentaries to Learn About Racism
Books, films and courses recommended by our community, friends and family to help us learn about bias and anti-racism.
JourneyWoman Book Club: Books to Transport you to Faraway Places
Books recommended by our community to take you to faraway places. Join our JourneyWoman Book Club!
Being Brave in 2020: Tips for courageous travel
The decision to travel solo, particularly to new destinations, isn’t one that always comes easily. Find out how you can tap into your courage to embrace the unknown. (VIDEO)
Books Recommended by Women That Inspire Travel
From across the globe, JourneyWoman readers submit their favorite travel-centric reads for our women’s travel book club.
Discovering Key West’s Literary Secrets: From Hemingway to Judy Blume
From Hemingway to Judy Blume, there’s much to explore in the rich and somewhat secret literary history of Key West, Florida.
Reads on the Road: Books to take on your Travels
Guest writer Ursula Maxwell Lewis shares some the classic travel books, including suggestions from the JourneyWoman community.
Need more travel inspiration?
Listen to our JourneyWoman TravelReady Playlist on Spotify and add your own songs.
Click here to listen!
JourneyWoman Book Club: 2020-2021 Reads
Please check for upcoming book clubs on Eventbrite. All Book Clubs are recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Subscribe here.
GReeCE
A House in Corfu: A Sojourn in Greece
by Emma Tennant
ABOUT THE BOOK
Rating: 2 boots / 5 – below expectations
THE CARIBBEAN
An Embarrass-ment of Mangoes
by Ann Vanderhoof
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Rating: 4 boots / 5 – fun – made us want to live on a sailboat!
Morocco + Mali
Morocco to Timbuktu: An Arabian Adventure
by Alice Morrison
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Rating: 3.5 boots / 5 – loved its authenticity
Africa
Nervous Conditions
by Tsitsi Dangarembga
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Rating: 3 boots / 5 – Empowering and inspiring!
Egypt
Mistress of Nothing
by Kate Pullinger
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Rating: 3.5 boots / 5 – a step back into history
Portugal
300 Days of Sun
by Deborah Lawrenson
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Rating: 3.5 boots / 5 – learned about spies!
Iraq, Ethiopia, Egypt, Pakistan, Morocco
Travels with my Hat
by Christine Osborne
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Rating: 4.5 boots / 5 – a must-read for solo travellers
Ireland
By the Lake
by John McGahern
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Rating: 3.5 boots / 5 – a classic, beautifully written!
United States
The Kitchen House
by Kathleen Grissom
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Rating: 4.5 boots / 5 – illuminating and engaging
SPAIN
Driving Over Lemons
by Chris Stewart
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Rating: 3.5 boots / 5 – Fun and authentic
Italy
Lady in the Palazzo
by Marlena de Blasi
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Rating: 3 boots / 5 – rambling but interesting
France
The Lost Vintage
by Ann Mah
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Rating: 3 boots / 5 – history + wine, a great combination
BALI, MEXICO + MORE
Tales of a Female Nomad
by Rita Golden Gelman
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Rating: 4.5 boots / 5 – loved it all!
Silk Route
Lands of Lost Borders: Out of Bounds on the Silk Road
by Kate Harris
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Rating: 4 boots / 5 – an unexpected ride
TANZANIA
Our House in Arusha
by Sara Tucker
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Rating: 3.5 boots / 5 – wanted more of her story
ARCTIC CIRCLE
The Magnetic North: Notes from the Arctic Circle
by Sara Wheeler
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Rating: 3 boots: an intellectual read!
CUBA
The Cuban Chronicles: A True Tale of Rascals, Rogues and Romance
by Wanda St. Hillaire
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SICILY
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Healing and Finding Home
by Tembi Locke
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“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth.
What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.”
– Anne Lamont, Bird by Bird
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We only recommend things that are suggested by our community or through our own experience that we believe will be practical and helpful for you. We welcome your questions and feedback about any articles published on our site.
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