Our favorite overlanding & travel books

Here at Char Is Far, the road is our home and books are our campfire companions. Whether we’re stuck in mud halfway through Kyrgyzstan, sipping instant coffee by the rooftop tent, or dreaming up our next 4×4 route.

This page is a collection of affiliate links of our absolute favorite reads for fellow overlanders, wild-at-heart wanderers, and armchair explorers. Some helped us plan our expedition, others inspired us to chase the horizon in the first place.

From dusty road trip memoirs to practical how-to guides and off-the-grid photo books: you’ll find a mix of stories that move, motivate, and maybe even mess with your plans (in the best way possible). Grab your headlamp, scroll on, and let’s get lost in a good book.

Forever Off-Track
Karin-Marijke Vis and Coen Wubbels

A raw and honest account of a 3.5-year journey through 15 countries in an old Land Cruiser. From hospitality in Iran to jungle tracks in Cambodia, this book captures the beauty and chaos of overland life. A must-read if you dream of hitting the road long-term.

The last overland

The Last Overland
Alex Bescoby

What happens when you try to retrace a legendary 1950s road trip in the exact same Land Rover, 60 years later? The Last Overland is part tribute, part test of will, and full-on adventure. Expect history, breakdowns, and beautiful chaos from Singapore to London.

first overland

First Overland
Tim Slessor

The OG overland adventure. In 1955, a group of broke students talked their way into Land Rovers and drove from London to Singapore. No GPS, no roads, no clue. Just guts and gear. First Overland is the classic that inspired generations to hit the long road.

fulltime avonturier

Full-time Adventurer
Tamar Valkenier

One of Charelle’s personal favorites. At 28, Tamar Valkenier ditched her safe life as a chef and profiler to live full-time on the road. From cycling across continents to trekking Mongolia with a camel, this book is pure, raw inspiration for anyone craving freedom and fearless adventure.

Woman In The Wilderness
Miriam Lancewood

What happens when you leave it all behind to live in the wild? Miriam Lancewood’s powerful story of hunting, foraging, and surviving off-grid is both practical and deeply spiritual. It’s about solitude, love, and finding freedom in the slow, quiet rhythm of nature.

Spark Your Dream
Herman and Candelaria Zapp

Hop into a 1928 Graham-Paige and ride from Argentina to Alaska with Herman and Cande Zapp. Spark Your Dream is a heartfelt, wild ride about chasing big dreams with no backup plan. Just love, old wheels, and a ton of faith. This one will stay with you.

Nowhere for Very Long
Brianna Madia

Poetic and painfully honest. Nowhere for Very Long follows Brianna Madia’s journey through the deserts of the American West in her orange van, Bertha. With dogs, heartbreak, and hard-won freedom, this is vanlife stripped bare. A story of losing your way and choosing to stay lost, on purpose.

Free Ride
Noraly Schoenmaker

Heartbroken and hungry for freedom, Noraly (aka Itchy Boots) trades her life in The Netherlands for a motorcycle and the open road. Free Ride takes you from India to Iran to the icy peaks of Central Asi. An inspiring ride full of grit, breakdowns, and breathtaking beauty. A true solo travel powerhouse.

Over Bruggen
Karin-Marijke Vis and Coen Wubbels

A gripping journey through the heart of the Amazon. After a robbery in Brazil, Karin-Marijke and Coen settle in Suriname and explore the wildest corners of South America. Think muddy roads, gold miners, dense rainforest, and raw encounters with local life. Pure overland adventure (in Dutch).