So it has finally happened. Your job has evolved from a necessary (maybe fulfilling) routine to soul-crushing monotony. Many of us have been there before and have been confronted with the “Do I sacrifice the comfort of my job and quit, or do I stick it out?” question. Those with lingering doubts about their careers usually have daydreams with a common theme: travel. But before picking up and leaving, try reading some of these books first. From travel inspiration to advice on becoming a digital nomad to a more philosophical approach these books will help make the decision easier.

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel

Rolf Potts’s 2002 book was revolutionary and a precursor to the digital nomad lifestyle. Having inspired many with not only his practical approach to traveling but also his opinions on the spiritual effects of moving around, Rolf makes leaving an old life behind viable. From travel financing, coping with hard times on the road, and how to adjust to going home this book is a great place to start.

Unlikely Destinations

Unlikely Destinations is an excellent example of how taking a journey can change the course of someone’s life. When Tony and Maureen Wheeler published an Asia budget travel guide in 1973, they had no idea it would turn into something huge. That one little guide has turned into Lonely Planet, easily one of the best informational travel companies out there.

The Geography of Bliss

Eric Weiner, a long time NPR correspondent and self-proclaimed Scrooge, decided to take a journey to the world’s “happiest countries” to find out what makes people operate on a higher frequency. Hilarious, at times grim, and engaging, The Geography of Bliss is a read for those needing a fun, critical look into how they deal with circumstance.

The Art of Travel

Written by cultural philosopher Alain de Botton, The Art of Travel takes a hard look at why travel is so glorified. Combining personal experience with accounts from famous travelers like Baudelaire, Van Gogh, and Wordsworth. Botton utilizes beautiful prose to deconstruct the feelings of anticipation, heightened senses during travel, and the allure of new places.

You Are a Badass

The #1 bestseller in the New York Times, Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass, is, in essence, a self-help book. But it is a self-help book for people that hate self-help books. The page-turner aims to help people improve their mindset through taking calculated risks, figuring out how money actually works, and generally just being awesome. For someone thinking about making a radical change like quitting a job for travel, Sincero’s bad-word laced advice could help provide some friendly clarity.

The Four-Hour Work Week

Tim Ferriss’s book is about two things, how to take advantage of the system and living a life where a career is not the go-to answer to “What do you do?”. For someone hoping to make this book a gospel, be prepared to sacrifice the long-term life plan for unique experiences right now.

Problogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income

Let's be real, a blogger may not be bringing in six-figures to start. However, the harsh reality is, traveling takes money. So unless you have bottomless savings, you will need to work to fund your travels. Blogging and writing are two of the more accessible fields to travelers so this book will help get them started. Even for those not looking to travel this book is a great way for location independent entrepreneurs to look into how to work from home/home-based work, remote careers, and online jobs.

The Suitcase Entrepreneur

At its core, Natalie Sisson’s insightful book aims to let people know dreams do not need to stay dreams. An instructional guide to building an online business/presence, traveling minimally, and using your skills to your advantage, The Suitcase Entrepreneur is going to inspire a few people to take the leap from their office to traveling the world.

The Crossroads of Should and Must

Often, the desire to quit a job and travel stems from a dissatisfaction with their current situation. This unsettling feeling may be that people feel far away from their “true self” or from doing something they were meant to do. This masterfully written book examines how to find a passion then act on it.

The Alchemist

A favorite around the world, Paulo Coelho’s story is 197 pages of inspiring one-liners. The Alchemist encourages readers to trust opportunities, see the world’s mystical signs, and make sacrifices for our dreams. Some may call it preachy, but it could also be the exact book that gives someone the warm, fuzzy feeling that they are making the right decision. That confidence in the unknown is step one for a lot of people who feel the need to quit their job and travel.

Written by Zack Davisson