I have been reading a lot lately. Ever since I learned how to read I have had my nose in a book, as my late grandfather used to always tell me. Every year as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter I find myself craving good stories to keep me occupied. I am sort of embarrassed to admit that on the weekends I can spend a whole day just reading. Really I will read anything that keeps my mind entertained, I am not necessarily picky about the exact subject matter. I do find myself drawn to a lot of non-fiction writing, and of course, travel writing. But not all travel writing is created equal.

I think many people are drawn to writing about travel because of the excitement and the deeply personal experiences it can provide. However, travel writing is hard. You have find a way to inform and entertain while being creative. There are very few places that have not already been written about.

I think for me an important part about a good book about travel experience is the biography aspect of the work. People buy travel guide books for facts and travel writing books for the reactions. maybe that is just personal opinion. But what makes places come alive to me are the personal interactions. Here is a list of my favorite travel books, well, so far. I realize that may be some argument on whether some of these are bona fide "travel books", but for me they fit in the category. I encourage you all to share your favorites as well. I am always interested to hear about the next good book I should be reading. These are in no particular order, that is just too hard for me to decide at this point.

1. Eat, Pray, Love By Elizabeth Gilbert
2. Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
3. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
4. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
5. Into the Wild By Jon Krakauer
6. Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon
7. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance By Robert Pirsig
8. The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America by Bill Bryson