From Slovenia to Singapore, Bhutan to Brazil, The Travel Memoir Review is dedicated to sharing the best travel memoirs and travelogue books. Curated by passionate travel readers, writers and editors, we bring you reviews and recommendations of new releases, evergreen classics and unsung gems.
Latest Travel Memoir Reviews
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Crossed Off the Map: Travels in Bolivia – Book Review
A richly layered journey through Bolivia that blends travel writing, deep history, and urgent reflections on extraction, identity, and survival
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Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life – Book Review
The life story of a surf addict seeking the world’s best breaks, capturing the obsession and beauty of riding waves
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Our Home in Myanmar: Four Years in Yangon – Book Review
A down-to-earth account of a young journalist in Yangon as Myanmar briefly opened its doors to the world.
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Dormice & Moonshine: Falling for Slovenia – Book Review
An honest and heartfelt love letter to Slovenia told with humour, curiosity, and a generous measure of schnapps.
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Fiesta: A Journey Through Festivity – Book Review
An exploration of some of the world’s most curious, enigmatic and surprising festivals and why they have stood the test of time.
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Small Earthquakes: A Journey Through Lost British History in South America – Book Review
A fascinating blend of travel and history that uncovers Britain’s hidden fingerprints across Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile.
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A Cook’s Tour: in search of the perfect meal – Book Review
A New York chef eats the world for TV but not everything goes down smoothly
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Explore: Featured Locations
Japan
Long a source of fascination for foreigners, Japan’s allure is only increasing. Many ‘gaijin’ have made it their home; find out what life in the land of sumo and sushi is really like…
Greenland
The world’s largest island, coveted by Donald Trump, is now in the global spotlight. A rugged, mountainous, iced-over country, this is a vast frontier land with surprising inhabitants…
Slovenia
Regularly confused with Slovakia, Slovenia is a unique and exceptionally beautiful country. Learn what it’s like to live on The Sunny Side of the Alps, there from those who have made the move…
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a travel memoir?
A travel memoir is a narrative non-fiction travel book that takes readers on a journey. Typically they cover real-life experiences of the author either travelling, or living, in a country (or at least, region) other than their own. They often feature not just a physical journey, but an inner quest. Although the best travel memoir and travelogue books may read like works of fiction, these are true stories which enable the reader to get a deeper understanding of another place, time and culture.
What’s the difference between travel memoir and travelogue?
A travel memoir is a specific book genre all of its own. A travelogue has a broader definition, which includes book format but can also encompass journey-based narratives that exist as essays, articles, films, documentary TV shows, podcasts or other formats.
How are the books for The Travel Memoir Review selected?
Our selections are a blend of beloved travel memoir works, modern gems, and obscure rarities. We curate our content, so aside from revisiting so-called classics and re-evaluating them, we only include books that we genuinely enjoyed. Our goal is not to be an all encompassing database of travel memoir and travelogue books, but a trusted source for recommended travel reading. Readers can also suggest travel memoir books to us by adding a comment or contacting us.
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