Travel has changed my life in so many ways, I could never recount each way nor am I capable of fathoming them all, but it is reading that has changed me the most. In travel, you’re subject to the external world you’re venturing through, however, you’re even more so effected by your own self. Because in traveling the world like a backpacker, I’ve learned what it is to be alone, all by my lonesome, in a place I’ve never been and know no one, nor speak the language, for that is how you grow and open your mind, and lay waste to the cultural judgements and preconceived notions of the world, others, and how it all works and got the way it is today.
When you travel this way, you’re eventually left with just yourself, and all of the ugly parts, the cultural judgements and the closed-minded junk that comes with growing up in a particular cultural mindset begin to rise to the surface and you’re left with nothing but the ugliness of yourself. And if you’re lucky in your travels, you will fight through the things that hold you back and you will begin to grow into a world citizen, with an open mind and an open heart. That happened to me, and I’m so much better for it, because I found belonging, community, and I found myself in the chaos of the world.
Travel has indeed effected me greatly, but that effect has paled in comparison to how much reading has changed me. I’m now 32 years old and have read over 600 books, or so GoodReads has informed me, and in that time, I’ve come to experience a thousand lives, and millions of situations I would have never entertained if it weren’t for all these words. Reading has given me more than I can ever repay, including a firm foundation of truth in a world of confusion and manipulation, and has given me the ability to think for myself; the most important gift.
As of late, I’ve had less time to read, but I still keep my mind reeling and learning and expanding, and how I do that is through the lovely form of audiobooks. Audiobooks are lifesavers for the busy person who’s always on the run, because you can listen for 5-minutes when you can spare them, or for hours while you work. I do a little of both. Lately, I’ve been working with AudioBooks.com’s app for the iPhone, which has been a very positive way for me to continue learning and thinking. And since my mind has turned into quite the content suck, their large catalog has become invaluable to me. I thought I might highlight six books that have inspired me most in my travels, in my life, writing, work, and beyond…
Travel has indeed effected me greatly, but that effect has paled in comparison to how much reading has changed me. I’m now 32 years old and have read over 600 books, or so GoodReads has informed me, and in that time, I’ve come to experience a thousand lives, and millions of situations I would have never entertained if it weren’t for all these words. Reading has given me more than I can ever repay, including a firm foundation of truth in a world of confusion and manipulation, and has given me the ability to think for myself; the most important gift.
As of late, I’ve had less time to read, but I still keep my mind reeling and learning and expanding, and how I do that is through the lovely form of audiobooks. Audiobooks are lifesavers for the busy person who’s always on the run, because you can listen for 5-minutes when you can spare them, or for hours while you work. I do a little of both. Lately, I’ve been working with AudioBooks.com’s app for the iPhone, which has been a very positive way for me to continue learning and thinking. And since my mind has turned into quite the content suck, their large catalog has become invaluable to me. I thought I might highlight six books that have inspired me most in my travels, in my life, writing, work, and beyond…
 Ishmael by Daniel Quinn This book is only available on this app as an abridged version, but I suggest actually reading the full book as it's a million times better and more complete. This book taught me of how the world came to be as it stands to this day. |  The Art of War by Steven Pressfield This book helped me realize that the inner heckler is just my own mind giving into fear of inadequacy, and by labeling it I can fight the feeling it gives me when I am trying to write something daring. |  Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer This is a beautiful book with stories, and quips, and other useful bits of wisdom from an older culture, older than our own. |
 Cosmos by Carl Sagan Carl Sagan was one of the most influential thinkers and scientists in recorded history, and when you experience the way his mind worked and see how he saw, then you begin to understand the origins of everything. |  Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer This is a bit of a guilty pleasure book, because the end is sad for the main character, yet being a true story, the feeling of authenticity, passion and dissent come through and make you think deeper about Nature and being. |  Travel as a Political Act by Rick Steves Rick Steves is a very influential person in the early days of my travel experience, because he showcased the beautiful and history of many of my favorite places in Europe, and aided in my outlook as travel as a political act. |
All of these books are available on AudioBooks.com, so if you would like to check them out, click here to learn more.
(Main photo by kimtimnashville via Flickr)
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