Are you looking to be inspired by some fascinating books about the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage or are you looking to carry out some research about walking a camino route to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain.
If so, this is where we come in as we love reading and reviewing books about El Camino de Santiago.
I have reviewed several amazing books about this fantastic journey on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Northern Spain, and I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I did.
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Books about Camino de Santiago
The list of books about the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is astonishing and many authors make it onto recommended lists time after time.
I read and review various publications and books about the Camino on a regular basis as part of my research into the Camino, especially before taking my first steps on the Pilgrim trail along the Camino Frances in 2016.
I still monitor new publications and books each year as a Pilgrims guide and review Camino books on a regular basis.
Since my first steps walking from St Jean Pied du Port to Santiago on the French way I have walked the Camino inglés , Camino Del Norte, Camino Finisterre and the Camino Frances for a second time and always use some amazing pilgrim guidebooks along the way.
After taking in all the experiences I have had, I have recommended my Top 5 Camino books that explore life on ‘the Way’ and are a great starting point to read about this pilgrimage.
They will help you understand what this amazing adventure involves and help you decide which of the Camino routes to take when walking to Santiago de Compostela.
Hopefully reading through some of these books will also help you understand how much fun this trip can be as a Pilgrim.
I truly believe it brings out the best version of everyone that walks this magnificent pilgrimage. The Camino provides.
The Only Way is West
I love this book about the Camino Frances written by Bradley Chermside about his journey along the French route of The Camino de Santiago starting from Saint Jean Pied de Port.
Its a fun, witty story about his travels along this Camino de Santiago route and the people and pilgrims he meets along the way from St Jean Pied du Pont.
I am sure you’ll love this achingly funny read as much as I did. This book had me in stitches.
- Best seller in the UK - Humorous essays, travelogues, and religious travel
- Best seller in the USA - Sports essays, ecotourism, and literary travel.
- Best seller in Canada - Humorous essays and travelogues.
- Best seller in Australia - Humorous essays and travelogues.
- Best seller in India - Religious travel.
El Camino de Santiago Pilgrim's Podcast
I had the pleasure to be interviewed on the podcast El Camino de Santiago Pilgrim’s Podcast hosted by Bradley Chermside, author of The Way is West.
We talked about all the various Camino de Santiago routes and distances as well as tips and advise about how things actually work on the Camino especially adjusting to life in an albergue and hostels.
Enjoy listening to Episode 28 called Camino Frances, Norte or Ingles ? on Spotify
A Wild Woman's guide to The Camino de Santiago
Pack your walking boots for the Camino de Santiago. It’s never too early to learn more about The Camino and prepare for a journey of a lifetime along one of the popular camino routes.
Learn everything you need to know about the Camino de Santiago from author of ‘Wild Woman’ Samantha Wilson.
Read the Wild Woman’s guide and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Pack your walking boots for the Camino de Santiago
It’s never too early to learn more about The Camino
Prepare for a journey of a lifetime and enjoybthe Wild Woman guide to the Camino de Santiago
- Author - Samantha Wilson
A Pilgrims guide to The Camino de Santiago
This was easily the best guidebook I have used on all my Camino’s. The maps in the Brierley Camino guide are easy to follow, with detailed descriptions and up to date recommendations.
John Brierley has meticulously researched each walking stage of The Camino Frances and as a result you will know what kind of route, distance and elevation profile to expect each day.
In addition it provides helpful listings of albergues, hostels and hotels along the way as well as cafes and bars etc.
On my journeys on the Camino I have found that a lot of Senior Pilgrims say this book comes in really handy.
St. Jean Pied de Port - Santiago de Compostela - Finisterre
- No 1 Camino Frances rated guidebook
- Elevation and map profiles
- Detailed stage by stage details
- Historical and cultural information
- 19.9 ounces
- 288 pages
Finding a new way on The Camino de Santiago
Pilgrim is a coming of (middle) age tale. The story is ultimately one of transformation, rebirth and redemption and is written with warmth and honesty by Carolyn Gillespie.
Pilgrim celebrates communitas, friendship and the resilience of the middle-aged women who keep going when those around them buckle, who bandage the broken, make them dinner and get them back on their feet.
Encouraged by the ghosts of pilgrims who have walked the Way for a thousand years, and with no real choice in the matter, she finally slows down, and the pilgrimage becomes a journey to the interior. As she walks her defences are broken down and her heart opens.
Pilgrim shows what can happen when we jump off the path we are on and step into a new one, when nothing looks the same.
This book is well written and a great read for any Pilgrim
A contemporary take on an ancient experience, Pilgrim is an entertaining and moving memoir of Kari’s 900km walk to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. In classic pilgrim fashion, she meets and befriends an array of companions along the way, from all walks of life.
- 295 pages
- 6.14 x 0.67 x 9.21 inches
- 14.7 ounces
The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho
A Camino classic ! The Pilgrimage is a 1987 novel by Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho and is a recollection of his experiences as he made his way across northern Spain.
The novel serves as part adventure story and part guide to self discovery. I think this is a must read for all Pilgrims contemplating walking to Santiago. Enjoy the read !
Step inside this captivating account of Coelho’s pilgrimage along the road to Santiago. This fascinating parable explores the need to find one’s own path. In the end, we discover that the extraordinary is always found in the ordinary and simple ways of everyday people. Part adventure story, part guide to self-discovery, this compelling tale delivers the perfect combination of enchantment and insight.
- 288 pages
- 8.2 ounces
My Camino de Santiago experience
I have been walking routes on The Camino de Santiago since 2016 and really love the calmness and stress free environment it possesses.
Top Tip If you need some time out from a hectic life and just need to get away from it all, The Camino de Santiago could be for you!
Have a read of some of my walking travels along various routes of the Camino de Santiago which have been both enlightening as well as amazing.
The camaraderie of pilgrims on the road is something to behold and I would recommend walking The Camino de Santiago to anyone.
Ive just walked my favourite part of the French Camino from Saint Jean Pied du Port to Burgos, spending 9 days on the Camino Frances. It was, as always, a fantastic journey. Enjoy the read.
I am also reviewing three new books about the Camino de Santiago called 10 Paths to Santiago, Camino Moon and one that has recently been re released from an original issue in the 1980’s called a ‘Hug for the Apostle‘.
To say the Camino Frances has changed since the 80’s is an understatement ! Camino Pilgrims from that era were a different breed and trekking the way of Saint James was a completely different experience.
More details to follow on those books.
Buen Camino
