Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you a reader like me? Do you get joy in reading? I love reading books, books that make me a braver solo traveller. Books are truly a source of life, they can teach you so many things, expand your knowledge, and expose you to the realities of the world we live in today. But what about the books that speak to your soul, train your mind and tell you how to live a life without fear? There are books that can even influence how you show up in the world? Today I want to share some books that have made me a braver solo traveller.
I’m both a non-fiction and fiction girly, and I loved when my book club used to meet regularly to discuss our monthly reads (we don’t meet as much – cough cough sigh). Some of my faves included Africa Is Not A Country by Dipo Faloyin, The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, Slay in Your Lane by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené and of course the book that started our club and honestly saved my life: Behind the Scenes by my dear friend Sarah Alonge.
Recently, I went to the Black British Book Festival in London and was inspired to put this list together. Worth noting, not all of these books directly speak to solo travelling. But what they all have in common is that they are written by authors who show depth, courage, and independence, traits that women (especially women like me) have often been discouraged from embracing. And let’s be real, I once had people around me. People who didn’t want me to shine or stand fully in my independence. These books reminded me that shrinking is never the answer.
Read: How Travel Helped Me Heal from Toxic Relationships.
So, here are the books that made me a braver solo traveller:
1. The Girl with the Louding Voice of by Abi Daré
This novel reminded me that every voice matters, no matter how small or silenced people try to make it. The main character Adunni is just 14 years old when she runs away from her village. She endures so much from rape, enslavement, child marriage, but theres some light towards the end where she focuses on education as a way to come out of poverty. As a solo traveller, it pushed me to speak up for myself and take up space, and know when to walk away, even when I felt that I had lost. Honestly you never lose and the battles will always be won.
2. Relational Intelligence: The People Skills You Need for the Life of Purpose You Want by Dharius Daniels
I’ll be honest I wasn’t blown away by this book when I first read it, but as I have got deeper in my faith i have come to read this book more than I need to. This books is about understanding and managing relationships in a personal and professional setting. It does this by using the Bible and talking about specific books and stories.
Reading this book has made me a braver solo traveller because travelling has required me to constantly meet new people. The book has taught me to read people better, build meaningful connections, and set boundaries skills that have both protected me and enriched my journeys.
3. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
This book is short but powerful. Mel talks about the level of freedom in letting people be who they are without forcing them to change or needing their approval. It’s a reminder that your peace and growth aren’t tied to anyone else’s behaviour. How people treat you has nothing to do with and everything to do with how they think about themselves.
As a solo traveller, this book gave me courage to go it alone, to stop waiting for friends to travel and see the world. I’m 64 countries in, and the majority of them solo I can honestly this book reminded me to be a braver solo traveller. I learned to “let them”. Let people doubt me, let them not understand me, let them stay behind while I keep moving forward. Because we all know that I am only going to grow and go forward in life.
4. Tomorrow I Become a Woman by Aiwanose Odafen
My cousins suggested I read this book and it gave me so much prospective as a British-Nigerian that has been raised in the UK. The book is a moving story about a Nigerian woman navigating marriage, womanhood, and cultural expectations. The main character, Uju, faces enormous societal pressure but her journey is one of resilience.
You can see in the book that she wanted so much more than what society expected of her and it reminded me that I am exactly where God wants me to be I don’t ever need to succumb to the pressures of society. This story also showed me that, as women, we can define our own path, whether in love, in life, or through travel. It made me braver as a solo traveller because it reaffirmed that choosing independence is not selfish, it’s survival and freedom.
5. Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
This novel tells the story of Yejide and Akin, a Nigerian couple facing heartbreak and again societal pressure, and the complexities of marriage and infertility. It’s was a deeply emotional and layered novel that led to many discussions with my book club girlies.
For me, it highlighted the importance of holding on to myself, even in difficult or lonely seasons. As a solo traveller, it reminded me that vulnerability is not weakness, and sometimes stepping away is the bravest thing you can do for your own sanity.
6. One for Sorrow, Two for Joy by Marie-Claire Amuah
This debut explores the life of Stella, a young Black woman growing up in South London, (an area that I have lived a large chunk of my life). In the book Stella is navigating abuse from her father, identity, and ambition. It’s raw, painful, and yet so empowering. It’s a book that gave so much depth as someone that was raised in the UK.
Reading this gave me strength as a solo traveller. Like Stella, I’ve had to push through environments that didn’t always support me. It gave me the courage to embrace joy on my terms and not let the weight of my past stop me from seeing the world.
7. Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis
Viola Davis tells her own story and wooow what a woman indeed. She talks about growing up in poverty, facing trauma, and rising into one of the greatest actresses of our time. It doesn’t even stop there she has some relationships that try to bring her down but she finally meets an actual man. The book is brutally honest and truly inspiring.
This book taught me that no matter where you start, you can create your own destiny. As a solo traveller, it reminded me that being a brave solo traveller often comes from the messiest beginnings. Her journey gave me permission to own mine unapologetically. It reminded me that my past is not the end.
8. Killing Comparison by Nona Jones
Nona Jones dives into the dangers of comparison and the damage it causes to self-worth. There are some elements that I don’t entirely agree with, but for the majority of it I love how she offers biblical truths and personal stories to show how freedom comes from embracing your God-given identity.
This book made me a braver solo traveller because comparison is everywhere, especially on social media. It helped me focus on my own journey and the unique places God is leading me to, because he has led me to some places many can’t even begin to even imagine for themselves. I continue to trust and be led without worrying about anyone else’s highlight reel.
9. The Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I have to say that Chimamanda has always been one of my favorite authors, I have read every single book to date. I fell in love with her after reading Half a Yellow Sun and Purple Hibiscus. And don’t get me started on Americhannah. The way she writes makes you stop, reflect, relate and sometimes laugh out loud.
The Dream Count is a collection of short stories that captures the immigrant experience (which I am always seeking to understand), womanhood, love, and cultural clashes. Her stories made me a braver solo traveller because they reminded me that identities are complex and sometimes complex. They encouraged me to own my multiple identities as a Black woman, British, Nigerian, a Christian, a traveller without any apology.
10. The Bible
The Bible isn’t just a holy book; it’s also filled with stories of travel, exile, pilgrimage, and faith. From Moses leading the Israelites to Paul’s missionary journeys, it’s a text rooted in courage and movement. It constantly teaching me how to live and draws me closer to God daily.
The Bible has been my ultimate travel companion. It reminds me that I am never truly alone on my journeys God goes with me. That assurance has made me braver than any other book on this list.
Conclusion
And there you have it: some books that made me a braver solo traveller. I’m sure there are specific books out there that directly speak to solo travel, but honestly? Books are what you make of them. If you read with depth, you’ll notice how courageous and determined many of these characters and authors are, and that energy rubs off on you.
What about you? Have you read any books that changed the way you travel, live, or see yourself? I’d love to hear your recommendations. I’m also thinking about restarting my book club (or maybe starting fresh, solo this time 👀).
And you are looking to purchase some of these books you can do so via Amazon.
Read next: 16 Best Countries for Black Women to Solo Travel (Safe & Real Experiences)
Until next time,
MBV x
