Nothing could be more arbitrary than deciding which are the best books to read while traveling. Reading is such a subjective activity, based on personal preferences, that telling someone they should take Janna Gray’s Kilingiri or Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code with them on the plane is nerve-wracking. On the other hand, suggesting a good read is as common as suggesting where you can get the best snack.
The actual physical transfer for a trip is often enhanced by a good read. It gives the ride an extra sensory boost that can make the ride that much more enjoyable and memorable. So it’s not just about killing a few hours so you don’t go crazy while waiting to get to your destination. It can be about being entertained, learning, and challenging your perception of the world. Whether you’re doing it through fictional, nonfiction, historical, or crime proceedings, if there’s one reason to seek out a good read, it’s while you’re on the go.
So while we risk being nervous, here are some books that won’t just pass the time during transit. They will remind you why you enjoy the written word so much in the first place.
The Harry Potter series (JK Rowling)
Has any other book collection provided so much entertainment and inspiration? With seven volumes in its catalogue, it will keep you more than busy on the longest journey. The entire world marveled at the transformation from a naive young boy to intelligent and wizarding adulthood.
Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-1963, Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963-1965, At Canaan’s Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-1968 (Taylor Branch)
This award-winning trilogy was a lifetime goal for the author, diligently recounting the history of the civil rights movement in general and the history of Martin Luther King, Jr. in particular. Nonfiction and history buffs will find these books exciting, as the segments can be read like a page turner. These books will definitely keep your mind spinning even during the longest journey.
Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
Already considered a classic piece of literature, this debut novel is a finely engraved and detailed story set in the Gion district of Kyoto during pre-war Japan. It centers on a girl’s journey from an impoverished fishing village to becoming a celebrated artist. Memories is a living story of hope, courage, and love that reminds readers that life’s experience is both fragile and beautiful.
Hollywood Babylon (Kenneth Ager)
Some of us like to read about sordid scandals. Peer behind the curtain and see that it’s not all bright lights and champagne. There are many books like this, but this was the first. Released in 1965, it was banned and not republished until 1975. There is nothing to learn here that will improve your life. But for us gossip mongers, it’s the cat’s meow!
A Painted House (John Grisham)
Actually, anything by Grisham would make a good read about a train, ship, or plane speeding in and out of the clouds. They are all deliberately fast and attractive. This one, about a boy caught up in a brutal murder, is no more slacker in Grisham’s apartment.
Shantaram (Gregory David Roberts)
Captivating, it is loosely based on true events. A man escapes from an Australian prison and flies to India posing as a doctor. From there, it’s a series of adventures that take our protagonist from the tumultuous slums of Mumbai to places like New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Germany. Don’t let its size determine you. This is the fastest reading possible.
