Becoming a digital nomad isn’t easy. It requires a unique set of skills, knowledge, and mindset. Luckily, there are a variety of digital nomad-oriented books that offer valuable insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories to help aspiring and experienced digital nomads succeed in their lifestyles. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of digital nomad and remote worker books and highlight 25 must-read books that cover different aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle. This includes topics like entrepreneurship, finances, productivity, travel, and relaxation/wellness.
Entrepreneurship books for digital nomads
Starting a business as a digital nomad can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. It requires a combination of entrepreneurial skills, adaptability, and perseverance to build a successful business while navigating different cultures, time zones, and languages.
Fortunately, there are numerous books that provide valuable insights, strategies, and real-life examples of successful digital nomad entrepreneurs. Thankfully, these books cover different aspects of entrepreneurship as a digital nomad, including how to start a business, how to innovate, and how to monetize your skills and passion.
The 4-Hour Workweek
Easily one of the most well-known entrepreneurship books on the market. Focusing on a more fulfilling and efficient lifestyle, the book challenges the traditional 9-5 workweek model and provides a step-by-step guide to help readers redesign their lives and careers to achieve a more balanced and fulfilling work-life blend. Ferriss shares his personal experiences and insights on how to create a successful business, automate and outsource tasks, and live a life of adventure and purpose. The book also provides tips on time management, productivity, and personal development, and includes case studies and real-life examples from successful entrepreneurs and digital nomads.
Remote: Office Not Required
In this book, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson argue that remote work is the future of work. The book explores the benefits of remote work, such as increased productivity, better work-life balance, and cost savings for employers and employees. It also addresses common concerns and challenges of remote work, such as communication, collaboration, and management, and provides practical solutions and advice on how to overcome them. The book draws on the authors’ experiences as founders of a remote company and includes case studies and interviews with other remote companies and workers.
The Lean Startup
Enter methodology. Specifically, a methodology for building successful and sustainable businesses. The book argues that traditional approaches to entrepreneurship, such as writing lengthy business plans and relying on intuition, are outdated and ineffective in today’s fast-paced and uncertain market. Instead, the book proposes a lean startup methodology that emphasizes rapid experimentation, customer feedback, and iterative development to create products and services that meet real market needs. If you want a book that will help you avoid hugely common minefields, this is book is worth its weight in gold.
The $100 Startup
Chris Guillebeau offers us a roadmap for building a successful business with minimal resources. The book argues that anyone can start a profitable and fulfilling business by identifying their skills and passions, finding a market need, and taking action. The book draws on numerous case studies and examples of entrepreneurs who have successfully launched businesses with little to no capital, and then gives parallel advice on topics such as product development, marketing, and sales.
Crush It!: Why Now Is the Time to Cash in on Your Passion
Vaynerchuk inspires readers to turn their passion into a successful business by treating social media as a “fishing rod.” He positions social media as a powerful tool for individuals to showcase their talents, build a personal brand, and attract a loyal following of customers or fans. Vaynerchuk provides practical advice and strategies for creating and sharing content, engaging with followers, and monetizing one’s passion. His own experiences as a successful entrepreneur and social media influencer are on display as well. He includes case studies and examples of individuals who have achieved success by using social media to amplify their message and build a business around their passion.
Finances books for digital nomads
Managing finances as a digital nomad can be a unique and challenging task, as it requires careful planning, budgeting, and risk management while travelling and working remotely. While many digital nomads enjoy the freedom and flexibility of earning an income from anywhere in the world, they also face uncertainty, volatility, and tax implications that can impact their financial stability and long-term goals.
But with the massive wave of new digital nomadic jobs and lifestyles, there are several books that are specific to managing one’s finances while globetrotting. These must-read books cover different aspects of finances as a digital nomad, including how to save money, how to invest, and how to manage taxes and legal issues.
Digital Nomad Survival Guide
Peter Knudson and Katherine Conaway bring us a practical and insightful book that offers tips and strategies for individuals who aspire to work remotely and travel the world. This guide covers everything from finding remote jobs to managing finances, health, and safety while on the go. It’s like having a trusted and experienced friend by your side, guiding you through the exciting but challenging world of digital nomadism.
The Art of Non-Conformity
This thought-provoking and inspiring book encourages readers to break free from societal norms and pursue their own unique paths. With practical advice and inspiring stories, the author challenges readers to think outside the box, live life on their own terms, and make a meaningful impact in the world. It’s like a breath of fresh air in a world where so many people are just going through the motions, following the herd. If you’re ready to march to the beat of your own drum, this book is a must-read!
Nomad Capitalist
With a clear and concise writing style, Andrew Henderson provides practical advice and real-world examples to help readers navigate the complex world of international finance and tax planning. It’s like having a personal GPS system to guide you through the maze of regulations and restrictions, helping you find the best path to financial freedom and security. If you enjoy the book, you should definitely check out his YouTube channel as well!
Entrepreneurial Finance: The Art and Science of Growing Ventures
“Entrepreneurial Finance” is a comprehensive guide that combines the creativity of entrepreneurship with the discipline of finance to help readers grow successful ventures. With practical insights and real-world examples, the author provides a roadmap for raising capital, managing cash flow, and creating value. It’s like a chef’s recipe book, providing a range of ingredients and corresponding techniques that entrepreneurs can use to create their own unique dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to build a thriving venture.
The Wealthy Freelancer
The book offers a wealth of advice on everything from setting rates and finding clients to managing finances and building a strong brand. With straightforward language and real-world examples, the authors provide a roadmap for achieving financial success as a freelancer. This book nails it for readers, giving freelancers the tools and knowledge they need to take their business to the next level. If you’re looking to make a name for yourself in the world of freelancing and earn a good living doing what you love, don’t pass this one up.
Productivity books for digital nomads
The life of a digital nomad requires self-discipline, focus, and effective time management while working and travelling. It’s much easier to go out to the beach or sleep in until noon. As a digital nomad, you will often face unique challenges that can impact their productivity, such as distractions, isolation, and the need to balance work and leisure activities.
You’re in luck though, this next group of books provides practical strategies to help digital nomads improve their productivity and achieve their goals. In this section, we’ll introduce five must-read books that cover different aspects of productivity as a digital nomad, including how to focus, how to manage distractions, and how to create effective routines and habits.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
In today’s world of constant distraction, focused work is essential for achieving success and fulfillment. Newport uses the comparison of “shallow work” vs. “deep work” to illustrate the importance of prioritizing and focusing on tasks that require sustained concentration and effort. The book provides practical strategies and techniques for minimizing distractions, improving concentration, and maximizing productivity.
The Miracle Morning
Late risers, brace yourselves…Hal Elrod advocates for the power of a morning routine to improve one’s life and productivity. Elrod uses the analogy of a “miracle morning” to describe a morning routine that includes meditation, exercise, reading, and goal-setting. The book provides a step-by-step guide to creating a personalized morning routine and includes real-life examples of individuals who have transformed their lives by adopting this practice. Whether you’re a morning person or not, everyone can get some tactical help in managing their day by reading this one.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Greg McKeown contests that focusing on what is essential is key to achieving success and happiness. McKeown uses the metaphor of an “essentialist” vs. a “non-essentialist” to illustrate the importance of prioritizing and eliminating non-essential tasks and activities. The book provides practical advice and techniques for identifying what is essential, saying no to non-essential requests, and creating space for what truly matters.
The Productivity Project
This selection offers a comprehensive approach to productivity that considers not just time management but also attention and energy management. Bailey uses the metaphor of a “productivity ninja” to describe an individual who is skilled at managing their time, attention, and energy. The book provides practical strategies and techniques for improving focus, reducing distractions, and maximizing productivity.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey brings us a book that presents a holistic approach to personal and professional development based on seven core habits. Covey uses the analogy of a “paradigm shift” to describe a change in one’s perception and behavior that leads to greater effectiveness and fulfillment. The book provides practical advice and tools for developing the seven habits, which include prioritizing, communicating effectively, and continuous self-improvement.
Travelling books for digital nomads
At the core of it all, being a digital nomad revolves around two main things: working remotely and travelling. Travelling provides opportunities for adventure, cultural immersion, and personal growth. However, it can also be tremendously challenging. It requires careful planning, logistics, and safety considerations while working and living in different locations around the world.
Below, we’ve listed five books that cover different aspects of travelling as a digital nomad, including how to plan, how to stay healthy, and how to embrace the unknown.
Travel Like A Pro: Road-Tested Tips for Digital Nomads and Frequent Travelers
Easily one of the most well-known entrepreneurship books on the market. Focusing on a more fulfilling and efficient lifestyle, the book challenges the traditional 9-5 workweek model and provides a step-by-step guide to help readers redesign their lives and careers to achieve a more balanced and fulfilling work-life blend. Ferriss shares his personal experiences and insights on how to create a successful business, automate and outsource tasks, and live a life of adventure and purpose. The book also provides tips on time management, productivity, and personal development, and includes case studies and real-life examples from successful entrepreneurs and digital nomads.
How to Get Free Accommodation Around the World
Easily one of the most well-known entrepreneurship books on the market. Focusing on a more fulfilling and efficient lifestyle, the book challenges the traditional 9-5 workweek model and provides a step-by-step guide to help readers redesign their lives and careers to achieve a more balanced and fulfilling work-life blend. Ferriss shares his personal experiences and insights on how to create a successful business, automate and outsource tasks, and live a life of adventure and purpose. The book also provides tips on time management, productivity, and personal development, and includes case studies and real-life examples from successful entrepreneurs and digital nomads.
The Art of Travel
A classic, this book explores the relationship between travel and personal growth. De Botton uses metaphors and analogies from art, philosophy, and literature to illustrate the transformative power of travel. The book provides practical advice and insights on how to approach travel with curiosity, awareness, and openness.
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
Rolf Potts provides inspiration and practical advice for those who want to travel the world for an extended period of time. The “vagabonds” Potts mentions describe an individual who embraces a nomadic and frugal lifestyle while exploring new cultures and experiences. The book covers topics such as planning, budgeting, and living like a local. This is another classic that has stood the test of time, being originally released in 2002.
The Geography of Bliss
Through interviews and hilarious anecdotes, Eric Weiner explores the connection between geography and happiness. Weiner’s self-labeled “grump” status is used to describe his own skeptical and critical perspective on the pursuit of happiness. The book includes humorous and insightful observations on different cultures and their attitudes towards happiness and well-being. In my opinion, pursuing some type of happiness is a common denominator in almost all digital nomads out there, which is why this book made the list.
Relaxing books for digital nomads
Relaxation and self-care are essential components of the digital nomad lifestyle, as they help recharge the mind and body, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. However, balancing work and leisure activities may lead to experiencing burnout, loneliness, and other mental health issues while travelling and working remotely.
Fortunately, there are numerous books that provide insights and inspiration to help digital nomads relax and take care of themselves while pursuing their dreams. These books give advice on how to practice mindfulness, how to foster connections, and how to find purpose while travelling and working remotely.
The Happiness Advantage
Shawn Achor presents seven principles of positive psychology that can transform one’s work and life. The book argues that happiness is not a result of success, but rather a precursor to success, and offers practical strategies for cultivating a positive mindset and behavior. In the digital nomad lifestyle, having a resource like this to help build happiness, resilience, and performance in work and life is like having a life coach in your laptop bag.
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Steven Pressfield writes about the challenges and obstacles that prevent individuals from pursuing their creative passions. The book offers practical advice and strategies for overcoming resistance, fear, and self-doubt, and for cultivating a disciplined and persistent creative practice. When travelling solo, it’s very easy to have constant conflict within ourselves. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to overcome some of those common inner blocks and unleash their creative potential.
Eat, Pray, Love
As so many of us know now, this memoir chronicles the author’s journey of self-discovery through Italy, India, and Indonesia. After a difficult divorce and a series of personal setbacks, Gilbert embarks on a year-long trip to explore different aspects of her life and identity. In Italy, she indulges in the pleasures of food and language, in India, she seeks spiritual enlightenment through meditation and self-reflection, and in Indonesia, she finds love and connection with a local man. The book is a candid and engaging account of a woman’s search for meaning and happiness, and has inspired many readers to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and personal growth.
You Are a Badass
This is probably the only true “self-help” book on the list. It aims to empower readers to overcome their self-doubt and achieve their goals. The book compares the journey of personal transformation to a “rollercoaster ride” full of ups and downs, but ultimately rewarding and exhilarating. Sincero provides practical advice and exercises for developing self-confidence, identifying and overcoming limiting beliefs, and creating a life of purpose and fulfillment. With its witty and irreverent tone, “You Are a Badass” is a great way to find confidence when balancing work, life, and relationships.
Success Under Stress
A delayed flight, a missed deadline, or an argument with a partner that is two continents away. Whatever the stressors are, they’re sure to come. Having practical strategies and tools for managing stress and achieving success in high-pressure situations is crucial. The book compares stress to a “powerful wave” that can either knock you down or propel you forward, depending on how you ride it. Melnick provides insights and techniques for staying calm, focused, and resilient in the face of stress, and for turning stress into a source of growth and opportunity.
So many more…
This is by far an exhaustive list, I know. I would love to hear some of your favorite digital nomad books in the comments. Let me know and I’ll read, research, and add them!
Jared has worked remotely for 15 years in various marketing capacities, and has managed hundreds of marketing campaigns along the way. He has held freelance, agency, and in-house positions for companies large and small.
