Not all journeys require a suitcase. Sometimes, all you need to do is open a book. Reading is one of the oldest and most fascinating forms of travel: it transports us to distant lands, to unknown cultures, it makes us listen to languages we don’t speak and smell scents we’ve never breathed. But books are not just mental journeys: they are also perfect allies when we are truly on the move, silent guides that help us better understand what we see.

Traveling with Imagination
Some books are open doors to elsewhere. They don’t just describe landscapes, but bring them to life. They don’t just talk about cultures, but let us enter their spirit. Here are some unmissable titles for those who love to travel… without moving:

• “Traveling with Herodotus” by Ryszard Kapuściński A masterpiece that blends travel, history, journalism, and philosophy. Kapuściński guides us through India, China, Africa, and the Middle East, accompanied by the gaze of the ancient Greek historian.
• “Blue Highways” by William Least Heat-Moon A poetic and real journey into the lesser-known corners of the United States, following the back roads and the people who inhabit them.
• “The Art of Travel” by Alain de Botton A profound reflection on what it means to travel, not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. A book that changes one’s perspective.
• “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac The manifesto of an entire generation, an odyssey on four wheels, an anthem to freedom and self-discovery across America.
• “A Fortune-Teller Told Me” by Tiziano Terzani A spiritual and journalistic account combined, discovering Asia without ever taking a plane. A journey into slowness, intuition, and wonder.

Traveling Alongside Books
When you actually depart, bringing the right book with you can change the journey. Not a tourist guide, but a narrative voice that helps us understand.

• If you go to Japan, read “Norwegian Wood” by Murakami: it will let you enter the soul of Tokyo.
• In Morocco, “The Sheltering Sky” by Paul Bowles will be your compass.
• In India, “Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts will take you into the alleys of Mumbai.
• In South America, let yourself be accompanied by Gabriel García Márquez: every page of his is pure tropical magic.
• And why not, also choose books written by local authors, to be read in the original language if you can, or in good translations: you will understand much more about what surrounds you.

The Book as an Object to Carry, Care for, Love
At Raremood, we love objects that accompany special moments. And books are among these: they fold into your bag, they get stained with sand or coffee, but they stay with us. Sometimes, a single sentence read between two train stops is enough to change everything.

At Raremood, we believe that every journey is also an inner one.

And every book is a companion of discovery. This autumn, our selection will also include books and objects related to storytelling about the world, carefully chosen for those who love to read, explore, and dream.

Tell Us About Your Journey with a Book
Do you have a book that made you dream of a place? Or one you read while traveling that you’ll never forget? Tell us about it! Write to us at raremood.network@raremood.it or on Instagram @raremood.it: we’ll share it!