There’s not a lot to do on a train, plane, or in a car, and long trips are definitely a struggle against boredom. Books, whether they’re physical copies, on a device, or audiobooks, can help long journeys be a little less dull. Any kind of book would work — it really just depends on the person. With that in mind, I asked the Bookstr team about their favorite travel reads. Let’s see what they had to say.
High and Epic Fantasies
I love reading fantasy when I travel; there’s some innate part of me that yearns to be part of the adventure, the world-building, and the magic. What better time than on a road trip or vacation to dive into the narratives of great protagonists and their pals as they race to save the world and battle evil?
I do a lot of the driving when we go on road trips. My husband, the Passenger Princess, tends to sleep a lot, so I listen to audiobooks as I travel. I pretend he’s soaking up the story in his dreams. LOL
Kristi Eskew, Editorial
Fantasy
I don’t travel much, but I love reading fantasy books when I do. I feel like I’m going on my own adventure — even if it’s somewhere I’ve been to before — and I get to enjoy reading about one, too. Swords, magic, mythical creatures, etc., make me feel like I’m going on a grand, fantastical adventure myself.
Danielle Tomlinson, Editorial
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
I love reading books that are fun and exciting when traveling. Books that are action-packed and full of adventure are my favorite to read as I look out the window, either through a car or plane. I enjoy fantasy books because I can escape into a different world and go on an adventure filled with magic and intrigue. These genres are a great way for me to pass the time while I’m traveling.
Molly Ireland, Outreach
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
It’s been a very long time since I traveled out of pleasure rather than necessity from moving around. I love to read action/adventure/fantasy books. With traveling, there’s a whole world of adventure awaiting, so reading those genres just fuels the excitement for the change of pace. It also helps break up the boring monotony of long road trips or layovers at the airport.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner was one of many that carried me through long twelve-hour drives as a kid. Getting sucked into the fast-paced worlds of dystopia or fantasy, and before I knew it, I was already at my destination.
Talia Wall, Graphics
Classics/Literary Fiction
When I travel, I like to pretend I’m on a walking Pinterest board. On the train, I think, “Oh, she’s so mysterious. What is she reading?” At a cafe, I think, “Oh la la, where did she come from?” You get the picture. This usually means I enter a sudden classics or lit fic era because what could be more mysterious than that?
Sure, I usually won’t actually finish the books. And sure, I probably couldn’t tell you a thing about any of said books. But it’s the thought that counts, right? I highly recommend grabbing a mysterious Thought Daughter read and feeling like the main character while traveling.
Fiona Hansen, Editorial & Outreach
Romance, Classics, Non-Fiction
Honestly, I could have listed almost any genre because my mood very much dictates what I read, so I’m always reading — and listening to — multiple books concurrently. This is also why I hardly carry physical copies with me anywhere but prefer to have a few dozen ebooks/audiobooks saved that I can flit between on a long journey.
M.A. Kole, Editorial
Thrillers and Mysteries
I somehow always find myself reading thrillers and mysteries. I know they’re not the ideal travel books because many people may feel paranoid, but they’re so fun and thrilling, especially when you’re stuck on a plane for hours.
Thriller books that get me hooked make travel time go by so fast. These types of books also make me more aware of my surroundings and curious about new areas!
Dunia Matta, Editorial
Paperback or Kindle Edition Standalone
Convenience is the most important factor when deciding what to read. Growing up, I made it a tradition that I had to a choose a book in the airport while waiting for my flight — it’s a fun little game I still play from time to time.
Now that I have my Kindle, I can take books on the go with me, so I might read something on that device. Point being, absolutely no hardcovers while traveling; they are too bulky, and I always ruin them!
No trip is too long if we have our trusty books with us!
Click here for an article on TSA Fiction and Nonfiction books to read while traveling.
Check out our Bookstr Team Recs shelf on Bookstr’s Bookshop page.
