I love curling up with a good book on a lazy summer afternoon or devouring a novel over a restful weekend.

While the world of books offers up an extensive range of genres to be enjoyed, here is a list of books from my two favorite categories: Arm Chair Travel and Historical Fiction.

Some of these I have already loved, while others still sit on my current summer reading list.

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Arm Chair Travel

I’ve been known to read great books about a destination before or during a vacation to a new locale, but these are also ideal for traveling through the story to places we never thought we wanted to go.

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Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed {Pacific NorthWest}

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson {U.S. East Coast}

Riding the Iron Rooster by Paul Theroux {Asia/Europe/China}

The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific by J. Maarten Troost {South Pacific}

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver {Africa}

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert {Italy, India & Indonesia}

Moloka’i by Alan Brennert {Hawaii}

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Historical Fiction

This is my preferred way to learn a little more about the history of mankind. Through getting wrapped up in a personal journey that’s contextualized by historical moments, I feel so much more connected to historical figures. In read historical fiction we glimpse what life was like for most during eras we did not live.

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The Help by Kathryn Stockett {A glimpse into 1950’s segregation in the Southern U.S.}

Memoirs of A Geisha by Arthur Golden {A heart-wrenching tale}

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak {A simple story set in World War II Germany}

Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier {A tale of a servant and painter Johannes Vermeer}

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant {A portrait inspired by the book of Genesis}

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay {A tragic tale of 1942 France}

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See {A beautiful story of friendship}

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Relephant Reads:

5 Books I Think Everyone on Earth Should Read.

26 Books You’ve been too Busy to Read.

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Author: Deven Sisler

Editor: Alli Sarazen

Photo: Butz.2013/Flickr