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You may or may not have noticed that I love to read! It’s not a new theme either — Mum and Dad bought me a Kindle for Christmas when I was 8 and I haven’t looked back. Thankfully, the electronic creation that is the Kindle means I don’t sink the boat with books.
Now, you can see I’ve had some experience when it comes to books! So what books have I read that were super inspiring for sailing? Well, there are three of them — and all of them had me excited about life at sea. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
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Book #1: True Spirit by Jessica Watson
I read this book just after we’d moved onto the boat and done our first passage. For me, around age 9, it was crazy to think of a girl doing this all by herself. I’d sit in the cockpit and read her book, then look out at the waves and imagine I was her… it was a pretty cool experience.
Jessica Watson’s story is about her journey sailing solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world. The book goes through the whole process — from making the decision, dealing with what her parents thought, and all the preparation, to what life was actually like out at sea. It even covers the moment she sailed back into port after 210 days, now a world record holder.
Reading it was real and raw, and it felt as if you were actually there with her — going through the rough patches, struggling to cook, and learning to survive.
It gives you a very real feeling of what it’s like out here. And to think she did it in 2009, when Starlink didn’t exist and she was literally alone — at 16, that is a challenge on its own.
Her story was such an inspiration for me to embrace sailing life and get after it — even as a kid.
Book #2: One Girl One Dream by Laura Dekker
Oh, this was a book that changed my perspective on age and authority — and in the best possible way! Whenever I’d read it, I’d be inspired and keen to go out and sail.
Laura Dekker’s dream was to sail solo around the world at 14. And she did it! Despite everything — weather, rules, and authorities — she managed to achieve this dream and become the youngest person to ever sail solo around the world.
Unlike Jessica Watson, she stopped in different countries, and it makes the story all the better because of the people she met and the experiences she had.
The book is written as a bit of an autobiography with her in-person view; it’s super engaging. Seeing what her family had to go through to make it happen, and all the ways they had to work around the authorities, is amazing. It really makes you wonder about some rules…
If you want to encourage a little girl to chase her dreams and ignore all the naysayers, give her this book. It’s so inspiring — even if the dream isn’t sailing!
Book #3: Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
Yes, I read this book — and yes, it’s wild and crazy! I even had the hardcover passed down from Dad. Some parts of this book I couldn’t believe, others I really thought were mad, but all of it I found brave and inspiring.
His journey is a packed-full, three-year-long adventure. From building his own boat to fighting off locals in South America, this salty sailor seriously went through it all. He set off in 1895 from Boston on his very own yacht Spray. The way he views his journey and the 46,000 miles he sailed are both courageous — and a little mad.
The book is written as an autobiography full of courage, determination, and some entertaining character. Many have said — and I would agree — that this is one of the greatest narratives of adventure ever written.
This man joined the likes of Captain Cook and Sir Francis Drake in the history books, and his story is inspiring to anyone, especially to those dreaming of sailing or going through their own passages and needing a bit of old-school bravery.
I still can’t believe he fried up flying fish for breakfast and fought with pirates and “Indians”… it blows my mind. People didn’t even know where he was most of the time! So yes, please read this book. If you already have — read it again.
Final Thoughts: Why These Sailing Books Matter
All three of these are some of the most inspiring sailing books I’ve read. Sailing is one of the scariest and gnarliest ways to travel there is — and to do it solo just makes it even crazier.
You’ll notice all of these are autobiographies of solo sailors, and well, I guess they’re the best type!
There’s honestly not much more to say, just — please read these books. It doesn’t matter if you’re a sailor, dreaming of sailing, or not even interested in sailing at all — the grit, bravery, and courage in these stories will have you turning the page anyway.
Thanks so much for reading! I hope these books inspire you. If you have any book suggestions, please drop them in the comments — I’m always keen to find my next read!
Bonus: Where to Get These Books
(Affiliate links help support this blog — thank you!)
– True Spirit by Jessica Watson
– One Girl One Dream by Laura Dekker
– Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
So inspired by you and your family to live a life less ordinary. Grateful to have discovered your channel. 🙏🏼 My current read is ‘Keeping A Princess Heart’ by Nicole Johnson. May God bless your journey. ✝️🩵
Thanks Emily, your support is appreciated! And thanks for letting me know your current read… 😊
You’re so welcome. I wish I could share my copy with you. 😸 Hope you get a chance to read it sometime. 🩵
Haha, me too!
Oh I forgot. I’m definitely going to read Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum. Thanks for sharing your top 3. 🩵
Your welcome! Enjoy 😊
Here’s a site where you can download free Kindle ebooks http://www.freestufftimes.com they’ll have a link daily for ebooks that are free for that day or so. I’ve been using it for years. Hopefully you find some interesting ones and it will save you some cash too. 🫶🏼👍🏼
Thanks Emily, I’ll have to check it out!
Hello, I’m almost sixteen and I also live on a boat with my family, I just wanted to congratulate you on this great website and these reading suggestions which really make me want to read them!!✨️
Hey Apolline, that’s amazing! And thanks so much, your comment means a lot. I hope you’re loving boatlife and enjoy those reads 😊
Interesting reads.
Is it a dream of yours to one day travel
Solo around the world?
Hey Ryan, right now I’m stoked to sail with my family and sailing solo around the world isn’t on the cards for me at the moment, but you never know!
I love reading stories based on true stories! My favorite book is “I Will Always Write Back” by Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welch, and Martin Ganda! It was a great read when I was younger (~12) that exposed me to a world outside of my own (living in a first world country). I try to read it once a year. Another great read is “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls. Wow, was this an eye opening experience that helped me to learn how to have more compassion toward others. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass is also a great series! I loved the original three (“The Selection,” “The Elite,” and “The One”). I haven’t read “The Heir,” or “The Crown.” My younger sister said they weren’t as good as the other three, so it’s made me not want to read the other two (haha). They are on my reading list, just the bottom for now. Another great series is The Hunger Games. It’s the first series that made me love reading. I still need to read the newest book, “Sunrise on the Reaping.” There are so many great books, those are just a few of my favorites!
Hey Shaelyn, thanks so much for your suggestions! I haven’t heard of “I Will Always Write Back” or “The Glass Castle” they sound really good! I have definitely read the Selection Series though… all of them, possibly three times 😂 And yes, The Hunger Games is an amazing story as well. Likewise, my book list is a mile long – reading is the best thing to do on passages by far. Thanks for commenting!
Really I interesting Bella and they are books that I think would be very inspiring even if someone isn’t a sailor. Thanks for sharing. I’ll take a look at purchasing them too using your link.
Hey Alison, thank you so much. I agree, these books are amazing, whether you’re a sailor or not! I would love it if you had a look at them, every bit helps 😊