A Super List of 7 Suggested Inspirational Books

Hey {NAME}, How's everything going? Hopefully these books are giving you itchy feet and you're planning some great adventure. If you have any recommendations, don't be afraid to share! This month I have seven suggested books, including some on finance (save money for your trip, right?) and becoming a more awesome person. Not all the books this month are travel related but I think you'll like them. They've had a big positive impact on my life. =[The Turk Who Loved Apples: And Other Tales of Losing My Way Around the World](=) by Matt Gross Written by my friend Matt Gross, this book by the NYT's former Frugal Traveler is about his misadventures and lessons from decades of travel. A lot of what he wrote resonates with me, especially his thoughts working in travel, being a solo traveler, and living in Southeast Asia. We're like kindred spirits (which is probably why we get along so well except he loves Vietnam and I don't). Anyone who lived in a foreign culture will find themselves nodding their head a lot. =[Into the Wild](=) by Jon Krakauer This book (which inspired the excellent movie of the same name) follows Christopher McCandless after he graduates college, donates his savings to charity, and sets off across the United States in search of a deeper meaning to life. Sadly, he was tragically found dead by hikers in Alaska after mistakenly eating the wrong type of berries. Not much is known is about his time on the road – McCandless used an alias while traveling (Alexander Supertramp). Krakauer tries to fill in the blanks by using McCandless’ diary and interviewing people he met on the road. Much of the book is speculation but it’s an inspirational story about breaking the mold and living a more meaningful life. =[Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail](=) by Cheryl Strayed At twenty-six, Cheryl Strayed, with nothing more to lose, made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State alone. This book (recently turned into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon) is a modern (and female) "Into the Wild." I like it because it's funny, witty, and well written. This inspirational tale teaches us the beauty of pushing ourselves to the limits. =[Paris Was Ours](=) by Penelope Rowlands This book showcases the work of thirty-two writers from around the world who moved to Paris. They share personal stories of how they learned to cook, study, and integrate into Parisian life. This book dives into the good, the bad, and the ugly but shows just how much of a lasting effect Paris can have on people, even decades after they move away. If you are as obsessed with Paris as I am, you'll love the book. Not all the stories are great but enough are to have you dreaming about the City of Light. =[Fluent in 3 Months: How Anyone at Any Age Can Learn to Speak Any Language from Anywhere in the World](=) by Benny Lewis I'm not great at learning languages but knowing the local language can really go a long way in making travel easier. My friend Benny is a "language hacker" who speaks a dozen languages. He is constantly learning more and has developed a system that helps you speak from day one. I've used his strategies and, while I am not trying to become fluent, his tips do help in picking up languages faster. If you want to improve your language skills, pick up this book. ==[The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business](=) by Charles Duhigg This book has nothing to do with travel but it's a great book on how we form habits and how can break them. Why do we do what we do? How do we break bad habits and form good ones? This bestselling book gets into all of that and gives wonderful strategies about how to break bad habits and start good ones. It's really interesting and it definitely made me rethink some of my habits. =[I Will Teach You to Be Rich](=) by Ramit Sethi You can't go anywhere without money and learning how to save more can allow you to travel more and longer. This is one of the best finance books out there. It cuts through all the crap and gives you wonderful tips and practices to follow in order to cut your expenses and automate your savings. Out of all the finance books I've read, this is the easiest to follow and most realistic. If you have any travel questions, book tips, or need any advice, tips, or guidance, send me an e-mail! I'm happy to help. And if you ever want to share your opinion on one of the books, I'd love to discuss! So until next month, happy reading! Best, Nomadic Matt [Unsubscribe]( | 407 W University Ave, Georgetown, Texas 78626