Love the road? Or looking for a gift for someone who loves the road? Then we have some book recommendations for you. Horror books about cars, romance books about cars, autobiographies…the list goes on!
The Romance Novel: The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary
A girl is on her way to a wedding in Scotland with her sister, when two boys crash into their car. One being her ex. It’s bound to get interesting.
Why We Drive–On Freedom, Risk and Taking Back Control by Matthew Crawford
In “Why We Drive,” the philosopher and mechanic Matthew Crawford celebrates the risk, skill and freedom of driving. He reveals what we are losing to technology and government control in the modern world, and speaks up for play, dissent, and occasionally being scared witless.
How to Drive: The Ultimate Guide from the Man Who Was the Stig by Ben Collin
Top Gear star Ben Collins shares his tips, tricks, and anecdotes to help you become a better driver. Filled with humor and wisdom, it won’t just make you a safer and better driver, it will also bring you hours of entertainment.
How to Be a Good Motorist by the Bodleian Library
This is a driving manual from ca. 1920 and will appeal to any motorist with a love for a by-gone era when the rules of the road were, as yet, to be written.
Top Gear Driver’s Handbook
This little gem is packed full of information about driving across Britain and what to do in case of a breakdown–or breakdance. Filled with humor.
Power Play–Elon Musk, Tesla, and the Bet of the Century by Tim Higgins
If you’ve wanted an inside into the mind of Elon Musk and the inventors and visionaries behind Tesla, then this is the book to get. Not only that, you’ll learn about all the madness behind the scenes, the struggles, the power plays, the failures, and the successes.
Bond Cars: The Definite History by Jason Barlow
Does the man maketh the car, or the car maketh the man? That is the question. If you believe Bond was partly made by the cars he’s driven, then this is the book for you.
A Man and His Car: Iconic Cars and Stories from the Men Who Love Them
Stories about cars and the (famous) men who love(d) them.
Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans by A.J. Baime
Ford aimed to take down Ferrari at Le Mans. Did he succeed?
Engines of Change: A History of the American Dream by Paul Ingrassia
If you’ve ever wondered about how the Volkswagen Beetle came to be, or what made the Toyota Prius so special, this book is for you. It’s written by Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Ingrassia.
Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business by Bob Lutz
The author used to work at GM, BMW, Chrysler, and Ford. In the book he outlines what he believes went wrong for American car makers in the leadup to the 2008 financial crisis. The book is a best-seller, so if you thought it to be a boring business book, think again.
CAR: A Drama of the American Workplace by Mary Walton
This book is about the journey of redesigning the Ford Taurus for 1996. If you’ve ever wanted an insight into what goes into making a car, this is the book you need. If you think the process runs as smoothly as a well-oiled machine, you may just want to think again!
Cannonball–The World’s Greatest Outlaw Road Race by Brock Yates
Always wondered what illegal car races were all about? This book outlines what happened in the legendary Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Race. Witty, funny, and poignant, it’ll help you figure out why people decided to race from New York to Los Angeles–illegally.
National Geographic: Drives of a Lifetime–500 of the World’s Most Spectacular Trips
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next road trip, this book is a must read. Especially if you don’t mind traveling to another country for a road trip. However, with over 500 rides to choose from, one is bound to be in your home country!
Not all the routes outlined in this book are for the faint of heart. Some require that you drive through areas where there are no roads, for example. So there’s definitely something for those with an adventurous spirit. But there are also classic trips along stunning roads.
If you want to find the world’s most scenic drives, look no further.
A Beginners Guide to Living in an RV by Alyssa Padgett
Everyone’s a digital nomad these days–taking their work with them on the road. Some even give up their homes, buy an RV, and never look back. If you’ve ever dreamed of that lifestyle–whether while working or after you’ve retired–you should have a look at this book. The author shares all the things she wished she’d known before she set out across America in an RV.
How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive by John Muir
Written in 1969, this guide details how to keep your air-cooled Volkswagen alive–complete with hippie-like illustrations. If you own a vintage Volkswagen, you should pick up this book. Not least because the book is as vintage as your car. Or maybe you’d like a copy just for the sake of the funky tips and illustrations that perfectly capture the area they were created in. One where peace, love, and VW Beetles ruled the road.
The Horror: Christine by Stephen King
Not surprisingly, this book is filled with terror. It’s a horror story by Stephen King himself and in the center of the story is Christine–a custom-painted Plymouth Fury.
How to Build a Car by Adrian Newey
A memoir from one of the foremost Formula One designers in Britain.
Faster–How a Jewish Driver, an Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Hitler’s Best by Neal Bascomb
If you’re into great stories and want to find out how three unlikely heroes messed with Hitler, then you’re gonna love this book.
The Driver: My Dangerous Pursuit of Speed and Truth in the Outlaw Racing World by Alexander Roy
On his deathbed, Alexander Roy’s father hinted at an underground race from Los Angeles to New York in the 1970s. As a result, Roy got himself involved in the underground racing world and soon became a force to be reckoned with.
If you’re curious to find out what it’s like racing across countries and continents, then you’ll devour this book.
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