This column, featuring some of OPL staff's favorite books to inspire travel appeared in the June 21, 2026, edition of the Omaha World-Herald. It is also available at Omaha.com (opens in a new tab).
The Omaha Public Library wants to help readers find new books — or at least books new to them.
Our employees recommend reading based on different writing genres, themes or styles. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, weekending in nearby towns, or just looking for a staycation, our staff have found the best books to help inspire a sense of wanderlust. Find these books and more at your local branch or omahalibrary.org., opens a new window
100 Train Journeys of A Lifetime
“100 Train Journeys of a Lifetime” by Everett Potter. “Beautiful photos accompany descriptions of train journeys around the world, including details about price and budget. I found a few that I will pursue and others that I will only dream about!” — Nancy Novotny, program manager
A Short Walk Through A Wide World
“A Short Walk Through A Wide World” by Douglas Westerbeke. “An almost mystical story about a woman who must travel in order to stay alive — circumnavigating the world several times over the course of her lifetime from the late 19th through the early 20th century — travels punctuated by mysterious subterranean libraries that appear when she seems to have reached a (literal) dead end. Very imaginative & definitely transports the reader!” — Megan Kreigler, library specialist at the Saddlebrook Branch
“Atlas Obscura: Wild Life” by Cara Giaimo. “This tome is absolutely jam-packed with fascinating flora and fauna. It will leave you with not only the best facts to share over the dinner table, but longing to visit places you hadn't heard of until just now. Did you know there are pink dolphins, and you can find them in the Amazon River? Read on for thousands more amazing entries.” — Emily Beasley, learning & development librarian
“Epic Hikes of the Americas” by Lonely Planet. “If you like to explore the world by hiking through it, this book is for you. Featuring stunning hikes in North, Central, and South America as well as lesser-known, similar trails, this book has something for everyone. Want to climb a rugged mountain in Chile? Want to do a foodie hike? You will find it and more here. Gorgeous photographs will make you want to visit each one.” — Beasley
The Great American Retro Road Trip
“The Great American Retro Road Trip: A Celebration of Roadside Americana” by Rolando Pujol. “Pujol is a huge fan of the American road trip, especially Route 66, and appreciates the often-faded splendor of past roadside attractions, diners, and neon signs. The book is roughly divided into roadside attractions, restaurants, Main Street stores, and bars. Pujol has a keen eye for rooting out the remnants and artifacts of a bygone America.” — Theresa Jehlik, strategy & business intelligence manager
“Have You Eaten Yet?: Stories from Chinese Restaurants Around the World” by Cheuk Kwan. “Kwan calls himself a ‘card-carrying member of the Chinese diaspora’ after growing up and living in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Canada. As the Chinese population dispersed throughout the world, opening a Chinese restaurant became the most reliable factor for success. Through a complicated web of family relations, friends, and acquaintances, Kwan takes the reader on a journey of immigration and personal history across several continents. His travels reinforce the idea that Chinese restaurants have become global immigration icons in both large cities and small out-of-the-way communities.” — Jehlik
“The Magnificent Book of Trees” by Tony Russell. “This children's non-fiction book is about so much more than majestic trees. It discusses the animal species that depend on them, the places in the world they can be found, and so many extra fun facts. What better way to plan a world tour than hopping from one majestic tree to the next around the globe?” — Beasley
The Pout-pout Fish, Far, Far From Home
“The Pout-Pout Fish, Far, Far From Home” by Deborah Diesen. “Before I travel, I like to re-read ‘The Pout-Pout Fish, Far, Far From Home,’ specifically for this quote: ‘Not every single part of a trip goes swell, but the detours and the bumps are the trip as well.’ It's a lovely reminder — for all ages — that travel is about the journey, not just the destination, and it reminds me to find joy in those frustrations when things don't go as planned.” — Michelle Carlson, design librarian
“The Road to Tender Hearts” by Annie Hartnett. “This road trip novel features PJ Halliday, who finds himself at loose ends when his ex-wife and her fiancée take a cruise to Alaska. When PJ learns that his high school sweetheart is suddenly single in Arizona, he decides to find her. After suddenly being granted custody of his brother's grandchildren, PJ’s trip takes on more passengers: two kids, PJ's daughter, and Pancakes, a therapy cat. This dark, comic novel is an ode to family found, lost, and found again.” — Jehlik
Somebody Is Walking on your Grave
“Somebody Is Walking on Your Grave: My Cemetery Journeys” by Mariana Enriquez. “This Spanish translation from Argentine author Mariana Enriquez details her cemetery journeys from 1997 to 2020. The author is fascinated with cemetery art, varying funeral customs, and cemetery design. As she visits South America, Europe, and Australia, Enriquez details the stories behind famous graves, local myths, and the common ghost stories that exist across cultures. The chapter on kidnapping Eva Peron's body for political ends was fascinating.” — Jehlik
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