With many of us suffering from digital burn out, and the dark evenings of winter settling in (at least in the Northern Hemisphere!), there’s been no better time to revisit our bookcases! Yearning to travel again, living nostalgically through 2019 holiday snaps, a bit of escapism is probably just what we need!

Below are 3 wanderlust-worthy books to inspire, engage and transport us through these somewhat vanilla days…

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

First published in 1988 by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist” has become a widely translated international bestseller.

This book will take you on a mystical journey through Spain and Egypt, following the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy in search of treasure. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles in his path. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

A fable about undauntedly following one’s dreams, listening to one’s heart, and reading life’s omens. Filled with magic and wisdom, this book is both captivating and inspiring.

Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert

“Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia” is a 2006 memoir by American author Elizabeth Gilbert. The memoir chronicles the author’s trip around the world after her divorce and what she discovered during her travels. She spent 4 months in Italy, eating and enjoying life (“Eat”), 3 months in India, finding her spirituality (“Pray”), and ended the year in Bali, looking for “balance” of the two, and ultimately, Love.

Eat, Pray, Love is a memoir every traveler should read, especially if you’re planning a solo trip. The book was also made into a film, starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem. 

In these times of struggle and uncertainty for many, this book holds much to think about.

“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.”

Elizabeth Gilbert – Eat, Pray, Love

Normal People, by Sally Rooney

This is a shameless plus based on our Irish-based HQ and the recent TV Series, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, which took the world by storm.

Based primarily in Dublin and the city’s iconic Trinity College, “Normal People” also takes readers to Sligo in the west of Ireland, and a vacation villa in Italy. Author Sally Rooney brings brilliant psychological acuity and perfectly spare prose to a story that explores the subtleties of class, the electricity of first love, and the complex entanglements of family and friendship. 

For even more great book inspiration, please click through here!