For those thinking about joining the van life community, or for those who are already living the van life and want some new reading material, here is a list of the top 10 van life books! These books cover a range of topics, from how to live sustainably in your van to where to find the best parking spots.
The Benefits Of Reading A Book
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with screens and notifications, it can be hard to find the time to sit down and read a book. However, reading has a plethora of benefits that can improve your mental and physical wellbeing
Helps reduce stress
We all know how good it feels to curl up with a book on a rainy day. But did you know that reading can actually help reduce stress? That’s right, according to a study conducted by the University of Sussex, just six minutes of reading can help reduce stress levels by 68%. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, grab your favourite book and relax!
Reading Can Improve Your Sleep Quality
We all know how important a good night's sleep is for our overall health and well-being. But did you know that reading before bed can actually help you sleep better?
A study conducted by the University of Sussex found that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by 68%. This means that reading can help you wind down and relax before bed, making it easier to fall asleep.
In addition, reading can also improve the quality of your sleep. A separate study found that people who read before bed slept for longer and had a deeper sleep than those who didn't read. So if you're looking for a way to get a better night's sleep, pick up a book!
1. Van Life - All You Need to Know in One Concise Manual
The variety of people seduced by the idea of living, or at least holidaying, in a home on wheels is wide and all-encompassing; from retired couples to digital nomads, and from surfers living on an extreme budget to start-up professionals. Van Life celebrates every aspect of a home on wheels, with help and advice on successful holidays, exciting sabbaticals and even a complete transformation to van life, leaving the static comfort of a roof and four walls and heading off into the unknown. Chapters include help on choosing your vehicle, where to find advice on refurbishment and conversion, what to pack, what to leave behind, and how to achieve those day-to-day challenges on the open road - like making a cup of coffee, getting your laundry done and finding a safe place to sleep.
2. VAN LIFE: How to Live and Travel in a Van
After reading this book, you will avoid making vital mistakes that van lifers come across when they first start their journey. This book will give you the courage to go for your dream and inspire you to get started so you can finally explore and travel all the places you want.
Why van life movement exists
What do you need to get started with van life
The boring admin stuff that you need to sort out
How to increase security in your van
Secrets to stealth parking
Ways you can earn money on the road and pursue your dream
Advice on how to buy your first van
Doing the no.1 and no.2
Staying connected on the road
Winter van life survival guide
Downsides of van life
3. The Van Conversion Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Converting a Campervan
The ultimate guide to converting a campervan! Want to wake up to a breath-taking new view every morning? Have you been dreaming about owning a vehicle to fuel your adventures? Building a campervan gives you total freedom to create your very own rolling home. Escape the daily grind, hit the open road and re-write the way you live. The Van Conversion Bible is the ultimate guide to planning, designing and converting a campervan. It’s more than just the story of how we built our own van Ringo, it will help you build a van bespoke to your needs. It provides definitive answers to your questions (even the ones you haven’t thought of yet!) to ensure you save time and avoid expensive mistakes. From detailed gas, water and electrical system diagrams to a step-by-step build guide, you’ll find everything you need to start your journey inside. Whatever your skills and budget, you can learn how to build your dream campervan. Your very own home on wheels awaits
4. Van Life Book: Daydream to Dream Life
Do your friends think you're crazy for wanting to opt-out of the 9-5 rat race, move into a van and travel the world? Screw them, let's do it.
If you want to take the leap into van life but need some practical advice about the realities of living on the road, this is the book for you. With so many updates for a post-pandemic world, this guide will have you on the road making smart decisions about your safety, finances, and of course, having so much fun and adventure your friends will be wishing they lived in a van too.
5. The Van life Companion (Lonely Planet)
Lonely Planet’s The Van life Companion is a great introduction to the global van life phenomenon and is geared to helping you have amazing adventures of your own, whether you’re building a van from the inside out or renting one for the trip of a lifetime. We feature 20 classic campervan routes to fuel your wanderlust and hear from people about how they got started and life on the road.
Features 20 classic, must-drive campervan routes across Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, West Africa, Nepal, Australia and Canada
Expert advice, tips and guidance from our travel experts
Profiles of van life personalities and how they created their dream vans.
6. How to live in a van and travel
Imagine being able to live wherever you want, travelling the world whilst having everything you need with you in your own cosy home on wheels. Living a mobile lifestyle is now more possible than ever before. It’s the new option. Forget hostel costs or rent. With a van you have transport and you have your home. You’re free to travel wherever you like and you can do it on a budget. If you’re interested in living and/or travelling in a converted van or vehicle you probably have a ton of questions. Whether you want to plan a short road trip, or start a whole new life on the road, this book will show you how. And whether you have your van ready to go or you’re thinking of hitting the road at some point in the future, read this book.
7. Take the Slow Road: Scotland
Inspirational Journeys Round the Highlands, Lowlands and Islands of Scotland by Camper Van.
In this book we define the best driving routes around Scotland for camper vans and motorhomes. We show you the coolest places to stay, what to see, what to do and explain why it's special. We meander around the highlands, lowlands and islands of Scotland on the most breath-taking roads, chugging up mountain passes and pootling along the coast. We show you stuff that's fun, often free. We include the best drives for different kinds of drivers; for surfers, wildlife watchers, climbers and walkers. We include the steepest, the bendiest, those with the most interesting bridges or views or obstacles, ferries and tidal causeways. And you don't even have to own a camper van or motorhome - we'll tell you the many places you can rent one to take you on the journey.
8. Take the Slow Road: England and Wales
In this book we define the best driving routes around England and Wales for camper vans and motorhomes. We show you the coolest places to stay, what to see, what to do and explain why it's special. We meander around England and Wales on the most breathtaking roads, chugging up mountain passes and pootling along the coast. We show you stuff that's fun, often free. We include the best drives for different kinds of drivers; for surfers, wildlife watchers, climbers and walkers. We include the steepest, the bendiest, those with the most interesting bridges or views or obstacles, ferries and tidal causeways. And you don't even have to own a camper van or motorhome - we'll tell you the many places you can rent one to take you on the journey.
9. North Coast 500: Britain’s ultimate road trip
Highly illustrated, full colour book showcasing what is unique about the North Coast 500. Striking images and descriptive text of the best places to visit are shown along with a simple route map showing locations.
100 of the best places to stop on route including;
• Beaches and bays; Sandwood Bay to Red Point Beach
• Engineering and architecture; Caledonian Canal to Noss Head Lighthouse
• Historic sites; Culloden battlefield to Dunrobin Castle
• Off the beaten track; Cape Wrath to Traligill Caves
• Urban areas: Ullapool to John o’ Groats
• Wildlife and nature: Dunnet Head to Suilven
10. Off the Beaten Track: England and Wales
England and Wales might feel familiar to many, but there are countless hidden idylls and remote wildernesses to discover amongst the soaring passes, spectacular coastlines and boundless moorlands. For many, Martin's 'slow road' routes will have opened up the country's most well known highways and byways, but there is so much more to England and Wales than these, at times overcrowded, hotspots.
This book is the next, natural step in Martin's wanderings around England and Wales. If Take The Slow Road whetted the appetite for a Great British adventure, this book will be the main course, filling you up with inspiring writing and beautiful imagery from the most remote and wild corners of England and Wales. It will take you to the very edges of the map, on a series of personal journeys to uncover parts of these countries that the masses never reach but wish they could.
Conclusion
There are countless benefits to reading books, from gaining knowledge and understanding different perspectives, to improving your mental wellbeing. If you're not already a reader, we hope this article has inspired you to pick up a book and give it a try. Trust us, you won't regret it!