A good travel book doesn’t just take you places it transforms the way you see them. Whether you’re on the road or dreaming from home, these five books deliver bold journeys, unforgettable voices, and deep cultural insight. From a wolf’s return to Europe to a Togolese man’s icy dream of Greenland, here’s what to read this summer to awaken your inner traveler.

1. Lone Wolf by Adam Weymouth

WALKING THE LINE BETWEEN CIVILIZATION AND WILDNESS
This lyrical work of narrative journalism follows the historic 1,000-mile journey of a lone wolf crossing from Slovenia to Italy. Blending science and local voices, Weymouth explores what it means for humans and wildlife to share the same terrain. A timely reflection on coexistence and rewilding in Europe.

2. The Art Spy by Michelle Young

THE UNTOLD STORY OF WWII RESISTANCE HERO ROSE VALLAND
This gripping biography sheds light on Rose Valland, a quiet museum curator who risked her life documenting Nazi art theft. It also traces the story of Jewish art dealer Paul Rosenberg and the broader cultural loss of the war. A tribute to courage, culture, and hidden resistance.

3. Monkey King: Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en

A NEW TRANSLATION OF A CLASSIC CHINESE EPIC
Translated by Julia Lovell, this version of the beloved 16th-century Chinese novel brings renewed life to the Monkey King’s comical and chaotic pilgrimage to India. Part fantasy, part moral quest, it’s both playful and profound perfect for those who crave big, imaginative adventures with cultural weight.

4. The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane

WALKING AS A FORM OF MEMORY AND EXPLORATION
Macfarlane maps his physical journeys along ancient trails pilgrimage routes, trade paths, and forgotten roads while also exploring the inner landscapes they evoke. More than just travel writing, this book asks how movement connects us to history, self, and nature. A perfect read for soulful wanderers.

5. An African in Greenland by Tété-Michel Kpomassie

ONE MAN’S EXTRAORDINARY QUEST ACROSS CULTURES
As a teenager in Togo, Kpomassie became obsessed with Greenland. Years later, against all odds, he made it there. This memoir is part travelogue, part coming-of-age odyssey, and full of unexpected insight into both African and Inuit life. A deeply human book about chasing far-off dreams.

From arctic villages to ancient trails, from stolen masterpieces to mythological quests, these five books are ideal companions for any traveler seeking more than just a destination. They offer perspective, poetry, and a reminder that the world is wide and so is the soul.

 Add these to your backpack or your bookshelf. Your next adventure could start on the page.