Soar With Syd

One of my favorite things to do? Living vicariously through other women’s travel adventures. Let’s be real — we can’t always be jet-setting around the world. So while you’re stacking up that travel fund, check out these awesome books by some badass ladies who’ve been there, done that, and wrote about it.

Eat Pray Love

I know this might seem obvious, but hear me out. In 2020, when the United States went into lockdown, I told my then-boyfriend’s mother that I was having a tough time—not having anything to do and being left alone with my thoughts. She asked me if I liked to read. At the time, I couldn’t remember the last book I had read for pleasure. She let me borrow her copy of Eat, Pray, Love and said, “I hope you don’t mind that I annotate my books.”

I had obviously heard of the movie before, but I had no idea it was based on a book—let alone a memoir. I had the privilege of reading the story through the eyes of two women: the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, and my boyfriend’s mother.

In the book, Elizabeth talks about realizing she was not satisfied in her marriage and craved something more. She plans a trip for herself: to Italy, to eat and enjoy life; to India, to deepen her spiritual understanding; and to Bali, where she ultimately finds love. Through her solo adventure, she discovers what she truly wants out of life.

For me, this was the first book that showed me it’s okay to not want the life everyone else expects you to have. Elizabeth taught me that life is about chasing whatever makes you feel fulfilled. This book made me crave my own adventures and sparked my love for travel memoirs—especially those written by women.

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding

I discovered this book through a TikTok video that promised it would make you feel better about not being married, owning a home, or having a child by 30. It’s a memoir by Kristin Newman, who shares her experiences traveling the world and mastering the art of the “vacationship.”

If you ever daydream about running away and having romances with handsome men in foreign lands, this is the book for you. And if that fantasy has never crossed your mind, it probably will after you read it. Kristin is living proof that the best parts of your life don’t end with your 20s.

Love With a Chance of Drowning

Torre DeRoche is an Australian woman in her early 20s who moves to the United States for a year of work, promising her family she’ll be back by Christmas. What she didn’t realize was that the guy she approached one night at a bar would take her on a life-changing adventure across the Pacific Ocean, island-hopping through French Polynesia.

Along the way, she overcomes seasickness and her fear of the open ocean. Torre ends up learning a lot—about sailing, relationships, and herself. Personally, the idea of sailing long distances had never crossed my mind. Sure, I had been on a few cruises, but those feel far more safe and secure than a sailboat. Hearing about some of the extraordinary places Torre was able to visit inspired me to add “sailing the South Pacific” to my bucket list.

No Baggage

This book was so engaging that I didn’t even realize it was a memoir until I finished it. Clara Benson meets a man through a dating app who tells her about a trip he takes every year—flying to a new country with nothing but the clothes on his back and whatever happens to be in his pockets. To Clara’s surprise, he asks her to come along.

She recounts their spontaneous travels and the unique experiences they share while also navigating the uncertainty of a new relationship. This book shows that all it really takes to have a great adventure is the willingness to step out of your comfort zone. Even when things don’t go perfectly, Clara manages to create lasting memories.

The Catch Me If You Can

Jessica Nabongo is the first Black woman to visit every UN-recognized country in the world. While she doesn’t cover all 195 countries in the book, she shares stories from some of her favorites.

What I loved most is that with each country she highlights, she includes personal recommendations for food and experiences. I also appreciated Jessica’s love for luxury—something not often celebrated in travel writing, which tends to romanticize hostel life. While I completely respect sacrificing comfort for the sake of experience, I personally enjoy a comfy bed and a private bathroom.