Summer Travel Reading List

Summer and travel books go together like boat drinks and umbrellas. Here are eight brand new reads and one bonus edition newly in paperback to inspire wanderlust to distant lands — whether you are mentally voyaging from an armchair, couch, paddleboard, or floatie.

As always, be sure to support local independent booksellers.

Taking the Risk: My Adventures in Travel & Publishing

Portrait courtesy of Hilary Bradt

Hilary Bradt’s Taking the Risk shares her journey from being a young backpacker discovering the Inca Trail to becoming a renowned travel guide publisher. With humor and charm, she recounts her early beginnings from hitchhiking the Middle East, to getting arrested in Tanzania, to many more. Offering a testament to following one’s passion, she would go on to release the first English guides to far-flung locales such as Uganda, North Korea, Eritrea, and Madagascar. Bradt, now 82, continues to travel and publish guides to intriguing locations around the world.

Call You When I Land

On the right, a woman sits with luggage and reads a book, perfect for her summer travel reading list. On the left, an orange book cover titled "Call You When I Land" by Nikki Vargas features a paper airplane made from a map.

Portrait courtesy of Nikki Vargas

Nikki Vargas’s Call You When I Land is a heartfelt memoir of a Colombian immigrant and travel writer. She shares her experiences of self-discovery across the globe, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of navigating different cultures. This easy summer read will interest anyone who loves travel and seeks to explore beyond their comfort zones.

Save Me From the Waves: An adventure from sea to summit

Portrait courtesy of Jessica Hepburn

In 2022 at the age of 51 and facing a mental health crisis, Jessica Hepburn completed a rare triple. Save Me From the Waves recounts her incredible journey of completing the London Marathon, swimming the English Channel, and summiting Mount Everest. This thrilling and inspirational memoir highlights the transformative power of pushing one’s limits, and is perfect for would-be adventurers seeking motivation.

Paddling the Salish Sea: 80 Trips in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, Olympic Peninsula & Southern British Columbia

Portrait courtesy of Salmon Bay Paddle

Ballard local Rob Casey’s guidebook is essential for kayakers and paddle boarders exploring the Pacific Northwest’s waterways. Casey has been teaching surfing, paddling, and SUPping for years, and his expertise shows. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a beginner, this guidebook is an invaluable resource for discovering the beauty and diversity of the Pacific Northwest by sea. To book a class or learn more from the man himself, he can usually be found taking people into the water at Ballard Elks Lodge #827.

Foodie Places

Portrait courtesy of Sarah Baxter

Sarah Baxter’s Foodie Places takes readers on a culinary journey through some of the world’s most delectable food destinations. From the markets of Marrakech to the streets of Bologna and Japan’s Hokkaido coast, this guide is a must-read for gastronomes and travelers exploring diverse and exotic cuisines. Her prose is vivid and her descriptions exquisite. Sichuan food “isn’t just eating, it’s oral electrification.” She also writes at a level that will enlighten even the nerdiest of foodies, talking on rich histories and complicated techniques like a master.

Offbeat North America

Photos courtesy of Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet’s Offbeat North America is a fairly comprehensive roundup of the continent’s lesser-known destinations, perfect for travelers seeking unique experiences beyond the typical tourist spots. Washington state gets several shout-outs, and while Whidbey Island is well-known to Western Washingtonians, Camano Island is much less so. And the book can stump even lifelong residents with a foray to the extremely remote and quirky town of Goldendale.

Globetrotting: Writers Walk the World

Globetrotting is a well-curated anthology featuring the travel experiences of celebrated authors exploring the world exclusively on foot. Highlights include Paul Theroux’s journey through rural Japan, Jan Morris’s portrayal of Venice, and Bill Bryson’s trek across Australia’s Outback. A delightful read for flaneurs, and those who appreciate epic walks or great travel writing.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: An Extraordinary New Journey Through History’s Greatest Treasures

Portrait courtesy of Bettany Hughes

Mediterranean lovers rejoice! Bettany Hughes explores humanity’s most iconic ancient achievements in The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. With vivid descriptions and expert insights, Hughes brings to life the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and more, making it a must-read for history buffs.

World Travel: An Irreverent Guide

Now in paperback, Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever’s World Travel captures Bourdain’s irreplaceable bon vivant spirit with personal anecdotes, cultural insights, and unique observations. Covering destinations from Borneo to Oman to Shanghai, the book is both a practical resource and a tribute to Bourdain’s signature empathy, wit, and irreverence, and his enduring legacy as a beloved travel icon.