Many of us have read, re-read, and even re-reread these books. And they're not just any ordinary books — they're life-changing ones.
They keep helping and inspiring generations of digital nomads so they might also inspire you!
In this article, we share our selection of must-read books for digital nomads and location-independent. You won’t regret taking time off to read them while on the beach, on an airplane, or in any beautiful place you are traveling to and working from now.
1. The 4-Hour Workweek, by Tim Ferris
The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris is an absolute classic and the most-read book by digital nomads around the world.
This bestselling self-help book aims to teach readers how to escape the 9-to-5 grind and live a successful lifestyle of freedom, and flexibility.
The book provides a step-by-step guide to achieving this goal, including strategies for automating income, outsourcing mundane tasks, and traveling the world while running a business remotely.
The author also emphasizes the importance of lifestyle design and cultivating a mindset of abundance and freedom, while providing practical tips on how to reduce the time and effort required to run a business, and how to free up more time to pursue your passions. The book presents a controversial and contrarian approach to work and life, challenging traditional career success and work-life balance notions.
This book will inspire you to get out of the rat race and will instill in you the right mindset to be super productive as a location independent.
Buy it here: Kindle | Audiobook | Hardcover
2. Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts
"Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel" is the manifesto of long-term travel and the art of vagabonding.
The author, Rolf Potts, is a seasoned traveler and in this book, he shares his insights and experiences on how to travel for extended periods of time, both on a budget and in comfort.
Potts covers a wide range of topics, including how to save money for travel, prepare for a long-term trip, find work abroad, and deal with the logistics of long-term travel. He also includes personal stories from his own travels and those of other so-called "vagabonds".
The book is a mix of practical advice and inspiration and is aimed at people who want to take an extended (potentially indefinite) break from their normal lives and see the world. The author also encourages readers to embrace a spirit of adventure and step out of their comfort zone in order to make the most of their travel experiences.
We tell you: this is THE BOOK when it comes to traveling. It will really teach you how to discover and fully experience the world and shift your mindset from a tourist to a conscious traveler.
Buy it here: Kindle | Audiobook | Hardcover
3. Be a Free Range Human, by Marianne Cantwell
"Be a Free Range Human: Escape the 9-5, Create a Life You Love and Still Pay the Bills" is a book aimed at people who are looking for a more meaningful and fulfilling way of life, and who actually want to take control of their own destinies.
We love it because it covers a wide range of topics, including identifying your passions and skills, making money while traveling and overcoming common roadblocks to building a business and a life on your own terms.
The author, Cantwell, is a self-described "free-range human" who has built a successful business while traveling the world.
In the book, she shares her own experiences, along with those of other successful entrepreneurs, to provide readers with practical advice and inspiration for creating their own free-range lifestyle.
Being free-range means simply doing what you love every day, when and where you like, instead of being trapped in boring jobs while overwhelmed by responsibilities. Sounds familiar? Then this book is for you.
Buy it here: Kindle | Audiobook | Hardcover
4. Your Money Or Your Life, by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
Money is one of the most important factors for any digital nomad, especially while jumping from one place to another.
"Your Money or Your Life" is a personal finance book designed to help individuals gain control of their finances, and ultimately achieve financial independence.
This go-to book will teach you the value of money and have a healthier relationship with it as a digital nomad.
The authors use a nine-step program to guide readers through the process of understanding their relationship with money, creating a budget, and tracking their spending. The book also focuses on "financial integrity," which encourages individuals to make conscious choices about how they spend their money and align their spending with their values. The book's ultimate goal is to help readers achieve financial freedom, so they can spend their time and energy on the things that truly matter to them.
It should definitely be on your reading list, if not already.
Buy it here: Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback
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5. The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
It takes a big dose of anticonformity to become a digital nomad.
"The Art of Non-Conformity" is a self-help book designed to help individuals break free from the traditional paths of education, work, and lifestyle, and create their own unique way of living.
The author uses personal anecdotes and real-life examples to provide readers with practical advice and inspiration to help them achieve their goals. He encourages readers to think differently, be creative, and take risks in order to live a fulfilling life. He encourages readers to take action and not just dream, and that they have the power to create the life they want by defining their goals and taking steps towards achieving them.
The book also focuses on the concept of "world domination" which is not about conquering the world, but about pursuing your dreams and making an impact in your own unique way. The book's ultimate goal is to help readers build a life that is true to their desires and passions, and not to the expectations of others.
In a nutshell, this book will teach you how to break free of your conventional lifestyle and embrace living life on your own terms.
Buy it here: Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback
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6. Million Dollar Consulting, by Alan Weiss
Many digital nomads, at some point in their life, sustain their lifestyle as freelancers or consultants.
If that's also your case, "Million Dollar Consulting" is the perfect business book to master the art and science of consulting and achieve success for your consulting business.
The book is, in fact, designed to help consultants, entrepreneurs, and professionals to increase their effectiveness and profitability in their consulting enterprise.
The author uses his experiences and those of other successful consultants to provide readers with practical advice on creating a thriving consulting practice.
We like this classic because it covers topics such as how to find and attract clients, establish a reputation for excellence, create a unique value proposition, and charge premium fees for your services. He also provides guidance on structuring and delivering consulting projects, handling difficult clients, and negotiating contracts.
Basically, all you need to help you succeed in your consulting business.
Buy it here: Kindle | Audiobook | Hardcover
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7. Tax-Free Wealth, by Tom Wheelwright
Taxes are always a hot topic when it comes to being location independent.
"Tax-Free Wealth" is a personal finance designed to help nomad business owners optimize their taxes and create wealth.
The author uses his own experiences and those of other successful investors to provide readers with practical advice on legally reducing their taxes and creating wealth through real estate and other investments.
He covers topics such as how to structure real estate investments for maximum tax benefits, uses depreciation to reduce taxes, take advantage of tax credits and incentives, and use entities such as LLCs and corporations to optimize taxes. He also provides guidance on how to invest in assets that appreciate value and generate income, such as rental properties and business ventures.
We loved the concept introduced in the book called "proactive tax planning", which is the process of legally and ethically optimizing taxes by taking advantage of the tax laws and incentives that the government provides.
We are confident this book will show you how to change your mindset towards taxes and see them as an opportunity, not a threat. And SPOILER: it's not a book on illegally avoiding paying taxes.
Buy it here: Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback
8. The Simple Path To Wealth by J. L. Collins
The Simple Path to Wealth" is a personal finance book designed to help individuals create wealth through investing in low-cost index funds.
This is one of the favorite books among the FIRE movement, but it can also be particularly relevant to digital nomads.
In his book, L. Collins covers topics such as how to start investing, create a diversified portfolio, and handle market volatility. He also provides guidance on investing in index funds, minimizing investment costs, and creating a long-term investment plan.
We like this book because it emphasizes the importance of living below your means and saving a large portion of your income in order to be able to invest more. The author emphasizes the power of compounding, and how small, consistent investments over time can lead to significant wealth.
The author's “simple path” of spending less than you make, investing the surplus in index funds, and staying out of debt might be a sustainable way to enjoy your nomad lifestyle while making your money work.
Buy it here: Kindle | Audiobook | Hardcover
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