Kathy Hamilton One of the best things about travelling, believe it or not, is getting there. Especially when you’re talking about the best books to take for a long journey. When else do you get such unadulterated spare time, with nothing to do but sit on the plane, train or bus? But what about driving, you ask? Don’t worry I have got you covered!
At the time of writing this post, the festive season is gathering pace. For many of us, this means travelling for some portion of time to get home. Whilst travelling can be pot-luck at the best of times- there’s something about the Christmas period that seems to make it go haywire.
Still, for me at least, this Christmas Travel Chaos can be taken one of two ways. You can either throw your hands up in exasperation that the planes, trains and automobiles (FYI I will take any chance for a reference to that film possible!) are delayed. Or. You can try to anticipate some of the disruptions by planning ahead. Not to mention having something to do when you actually get on the plane!
One of the best ways to do this is having one of the best books for a long journey in your bag. That way, if you find yourself with unexpected wait times you’ll have something enjoyable to read.
With that in mind, I think we’d better get started don’t you? Here’s The Female Scriblerian’s handy list of best books for a long journey:
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
“When Britt-Marie finds herself unemployed, separated from her husband of 20 years, left to fend for herself in the miserable provincial backwater that is Borg – of which the kindest thing one can say is that it has a road going through it – and somehow tasked with running the local football team, she is a little unprepared. But she will learn that life may have more to offer her that she’s ever realised, and love might be found in the most unexpected of places.”
This is one of the best books for a long journey because it’s just so captivating. Britt-Marie begins the novel as a prickly, reserved and even hostile character. But despite this, you’re immediately intrigued to find out how she has become the person she is. Following her journey of growth and watching her re-discover the joy of human connection makes for a page-turning read too. Honestly, this was one of the best books I read in 2018, so I can’t praise it enough.
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
“Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed.”
One thing I love about Young Adult fiction is how page turning it is. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. I’m recommending this one as one of the best books for a long journey because, when you have a long stretch of time to fill, it’s really important to have a book you just can’t put down! This book certainly ticks that box and has the added bonus of really teaching you an important lesson in the process.
Read the Full Review Here
As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee
“The young Laurie Lee walks to London. There he makes a living labouring and playing the violin. But, deciding to travel further afield and knowing only the Spanish phrase for ‘Will you please give me a glass of water?’ he heads for Spain. With just a blanket to sleep under and his trusty violin, he spends a year crossing Spain. Only the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War puts an end to his extraordinary peregrinations.
I love Laurie Lee’s lyricism and way with words. This is a really peaceful and contemplative book to read and has the added bonus of featuring a journey too. When I’m travelling, especially on my own, I often find myself in a very philosophical mood and ready to think about what’s important in life. If that sounds like you, then As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning might be a good choice. It’s a joy to read but leaves you with a sense of having encountered something special.
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
“Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.”
The self-improvement genre is booming. So when a book celebrates its 10th anniversary, you know it must be a good one. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is one of the best books for a long journey because it will engage and inspire you. As I mentioned above, travelling tends to bring out the contemplative side of me. I loved reading The Happiness Project whilst I was travelling because each chapter focuses on different topics, so it’s like reading lots of different essays with an overall narrative arc. So it’s perfect to pick up and put down.
Bonus Tip 1:
In her podcast, Gretchen Rubin mentions keeping a reserve book for emergencies. The kind where you turn up at the airport *gasp* without a book! Her advice is to always have a book or two that are popular enough to turn up in airport bookshops in mind. That way, if you ever find yourself at a loss, you can call in your reserves.
The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd
“In this masterpiece of nature writing, Nan Shepherd describes her journeys into the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland. There she encounters a world that can be breathtakingly beautiful at times and shockingly harsh at others. Her intense, poetic prose explores and records the rocks, rivers, creatures and hidden aspects of this remarkable landscape. Shepherd spent a lifetime in search of the ‘essential nature’ of the Cairngorms; her quest led her to write this classic meditation on the magnificence of mountains, and on our imaginative relationship with the wild world around us.”
This short, powerful book is not only lightweight (and perfect for shoving in a bag or pocket) it’s also incredibly moving. Nan Shepherd’s ability to capture the primal essence of the mountains she loves is moving and inspiring. I defy anyone who reads this book not to immediately add “Walking The Cairngorms” to their bucket list. So, why is it one of the best books for a long journey? For me, it’s because it tackles, almost incidentally, the most important themes in life. It’s also immensely readable too.
Read the Full Review Here
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer & Annie Barrows
“A war-ravaged Britain is emerging from the Second World War. It’s a new start too for writer Juliet Ashton, keenly seeking out material for a new novel. Fate, however, finds its way, as the chance find by a Guernsey native of a book belonging to Juliet opens a surprising door. Soon, what began as a writerly search for inspiration will result in changes she could never anticipate.”
If you’re planning a trip that’s going to involve lots of pit stops this is a great book for you. As it’s made up letters, it’s so easy to pick up and put down again instead of having to stop right in the middle of a chapter! It’s also a lovely story, that’s easy to read with a host of lovable characters. I love reading historical fiction on long journeys because I find that it’s easier to project myself into another time and place.
Bonus Tip 2:
Why not pick a book that is about the country you’re travelling through? Visiting Italy? How about Anne Radcliffe’s “The Italian”. Sweeping through France? Maybe consider one of the books in this blog post. When it comes to books for a long journey, what could be better than indulging in a little literary tourism? The options are endless.
A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
“Anne Wynter’s job as governess to three highborn young ladies can be a challenge – in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he’s the first man who has truly tempted her, and it’s getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman. Daniel Smythe-Smith might be in mortal danger, but that’s not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending.”
For me, a long journey is a perfect excuse to curl up with a lovely romance novel. Since travelling can often be stressful, it’s important that the book you’re reading is an antidote to that. A Night Like This by Julia Quinn is perfect for when you want a little escapism. It’s one of my favourites by her because the relationship that develops between Anne and Daniel is so lovely. Plus, there’s a nice bit of peril thrown in to spice things up a bit.
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
“For Marie-Laure, blind since the age of six, the world is full of mazes. The miniature of a Paris neighbourhood, made by her father to teach her the way home. The microscopic layers within the invaluable diamond that her father guards in the Museum of Natural History. The walled city by the sea, where father and daughter take refuge when the Nazis invade Paris. And a future which draws her ever closer to Werner, a German orphan, destined to labour in the mines until a broken radio fills his life with possibility and brings him to the notice of the Hitler Youth.”
How about a prize-winning novel to sink your teeth into? All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is such a beautiful and moving book. The WWII setting has become so saturated with identikit stories that it’s really refreshing to come across a book with a totally new perspective. In the broadest sense of the term, this book is a boy meets girl tale. However, Doerr is not concerned with the actual meeting, so much as how both characters move inevitably towards this meeting. It is a book concerned with all the things, big or small, that move us away from what we think our lives will be when we are young.
Read the Full Review Here
Bonus Tip 3:
Driving? This is the perfect opportunity to try out an audiobook! The audiobook industry has really boomed recently so it’s never been easier to find a book to listen to rather than read. Try websites like audible or even Spotify. I find that I appreciate listening to books I’ve already read. So maybe try giving your favourite book a try in audiobook style!
Those are my best books for a long journey
Can I let you in on a little secret? All the books featured in the best books for a long journey are actually books that I’ve read whilst travelling! From Sweden to the South of France and back home to visit family, each book has accompanied me on a trip and been a welcome addition to my carry on bag. So, there you go! What are your favourite books to travel with?
