Books to Read in August 2019

My collection of books to read in August 2019 isn’t vast but very inspiring. It includes only two books. But these two must-read books show what it’s like to travel with a purpose. Traveling with a purpose is what I strive for. Thus, it was great to see that some of the people I look up to use the same principle. Without further ado, here are the books to read in August 2019.

BEST BOOKS TO READ IN AUGUST 2019:

The Promise of a Pencil by Adam Braun

Adam Braun was an ordinary young man from not so ordinary Jewish family. From early years his parents instilled in their children such values as integrity and desire to help others. But Semester at Sea was that turning point that transformed Adam’s life.

A keen traveler, he started exploring other countries with a simple question what people would want if they could have any one thing. The first time Adam addressed this question to a small boy in India. “A pencil” – was the boy’s reply. Throughout his further travels, the author observed how people strived for education for themselves and their children. There was a big need for it, but no resources to build even a school.

These travel experiences persuaded Adam to quit his well-paid job and found Pencils of Promise, the award-winning nonprofit organization. The purpose of the organization was to bring education to the needy once. What had started with just $25 grew to become an unstoppable force that built over 250 schools across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The book The Promise of a Pencil talks about hard work, commitment and strong desire to help people. Easy to read, it’s truly one of the best books to read in August 2019.

Unlikely Destinations the Lonely Planet Story by Tony and Maureen Wheeler

Lonely Planet guides are the books to read and take with you on vacation. They became so popular that you can rely on them when planning any of your travels. But these travel guides and lately the company Lonely Planet Publications didn’t become famous overnight. It took years for their founders, Tony and Maureen Wheeler, to get where they are right now. Unlikely Destinations is their story of successes and failures, ups and downs, struggles and perseverance.

Unlikely Destinations is an autobiography with a twist of business history and lots of travel by two backpackers. Tony and Maureen’s days of backpacking though are long gone. But they always remember how their first experience of backpacking across Asia gave birth to their business.

I couldn’t put this book down and believe that it’s one of the best books to read for those who want to make travel their career. As for me, I’m definitely placing Unlikely Destinations on the shelf with the books to reread sometime in the future.