Cover 5 books about travel that will inspire wanderlust in you (Photo: Getty Images)
5 books about travel that will inspire wanderlust in you (Photo: Getty Images)
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A fantastically well-written book can help you escape the drudgery of your daily grind and take you into a different world. Here are 5 of our top picks
Books are transportive. A fantastically well-written book can help you escape the drudgery of your daily grind and take you into a different world, a different reality. It’s why people often say they “escape” into their favourite books.
Travel literature, in particular, is especially transportive. Great travel books—both fiction and nonfiction—take you on a journey through the eyes of the author, letting you explore new places, cultures, and adventures from the comfort of your own home. Here are some of my own favourite travel books that will ignite your wanderlust and make you yearn for adventure.
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1. On The Road by Jack Kerouac
Above On The Road by Jack Kerouac
On The Road by Jack Kerouac
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On The Road is the quintessential road trip novel. Kerouac’s spontaneous prose and his vibrant depiction of 1950s America is a celebration of freedom, exploration, and the open road will inspire you to pack your bags and hit the road in search of adventure and self-knowledge.
2. The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson
Above The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson
The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson
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The timeless epic of Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War is made so much better through Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation. The Odyssey is the ultimate travel tale, filled with adventure, mythical creatures, and the struggle against the odds. Wilson’s translation offers a fresh perspective on a classic that continues to inspire wanderlust and the spirit of adventure.
3. The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
Above The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
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Paul Bowles’ The Sheltering Sky has fuelled my interest in visiting North Africa for decades. It is also the book that contains my favourite quotation on the differences between tourists and travellers. The novel follows an American couple and their friend as they travel through the North African desert. Bowles’ vivid descriptions of the Sahara make this book a hauntingly beautiful travel narrative that will make you want to experience the desert’s stark beauty for yourself.
4. The Beach by Alex Garland
Above The Beach by Alex Garland
The Beach by Alex Garland
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The book that, for better or worse, put Koh Phi Phi on the map. Alex Garland’s first novel tells the story of a young backpacker who discovers a hidden paradise in Thailand, only to find that paradise has a dark side. This seminal Generation X novel—that was turned into a Leonardo DiCaprio movie—has inspired countless trips across Southeast Asia.
5. The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin
Above The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin
The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin
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In The Songlines, Bruce Chatwin explores the complex system of routes and songs used by Indigenous Australians to navigate and connect with their land. The writing is beautiful and deeply moving as the work transcends typical travel writing to become something much more philosophical and poignant.
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About
Aun started his career in media, working at illustrious publications in NYC, Paris, and Hong Kong before launching his own Asia-regional lifestyle magazine, East, that was called "Asia's hippest magazine" by Asiaweek and "an Asian Vanity Fair" by Fortune. Committed to community service, Aun has helmed the visual arts and literary arts divisions for the National Arts Council in Singapore; led the marketing, communications, and corporate community investments teams at the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre; was the founding Chair of the Pangdemonium Theatre Company; and currently sits on the Board of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. In 2006, Aun co-founded The Ate Group, a content strategy and communications agency specialising in F&B, hospitality, luxury and lifestyle. Aun has run the content and communications teams at Tripadvisor; similarly run content and communications at a sustainability focused tech start up; and run marketing and communications at a global BPO with over 17,000 employees worldwide. Aun has also been a consultant for Mediacorp and has produced and hosted two food & travel television series for them. In 2015 he began working on the creation of a private members club, Straits Clan, which he launched in 2019 and sold the following year. Returning to his roots, Aun joined Tatler Asia in 2023 as editor-in-chief in Singapore and is committed to telling great stories of change makers through Tatler’s online and offline platforms.
Work
As Editor-in-Chief of Tatler Singapore, Aun leads all the content teams: branded content, print, digital, and the creative teams. He works closely with the heads of each team to ensure that Tatler continues to cover the most important, inspiring and exciting stories that are affecting Singapore and our region. He also works closely with the events and commercial teams and is always excited to collaborate on new ideas and projects that the Tatler team can activate.
Follow Aun on Instagram at @aun_koh (primarily a food account) and on Linkedin here.
