As summer approaches and wanderlust beckons, there’s nothing quite like the anticipation of embarking on new adventures through the pages of a captivating travel book.

Whether you’re planning your own summer getaway or daydreaming at home, travel literature has the power to transport us to distant lands, evoke the spirit of exploration, and ignite a sense of curiosity about the world around us.

Check out the gorgeous, full-page photos in Unforgettable Journeys The Americas: Discover the Joys of Slow Travel and be transported from familiar scenes along the Pacific Coast Highway to the sunny beaches lining Caribbean Islands. This exploration of the American continents takes us along the roads less traveled, one adventure at a time.

If your last vacation left you feeling like you couldn’t beat the crowds, cost, or heat then Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations by Andrew Nelson is what you need. Nelson’s tips from “Romantic Recalibrations” to “Nontraditional Natural Wonders” on when, where, and how to go will unlock the perfect secret sojourn for you.

With memorable itineraries featuring inclusive small towns, spooky haunts, and holiday escapes, Out in the World: An LGBTQIA+ (and Friends!) Travel Guide to More Than 100 Destinations Around the World by Amy B. Scher and Mark Jason Williams has everything you need to enjoy a getaway anytime of the year. From lobster-loving Maine to the beach bars of Curaçao, find a fun trip to a new or familiar destination!

Do you love the great outdoors? What about eating s’mores? Then try Where Should We Camp Next? Budget Camping: a 50-state Guide to Budget-friendly Campgrounds and Free and Low-cost Outdoor Activities by Stephanie Puglisi for affordable, family-friendly camping spots throughout the US. Whether you’re hiking in or driving the family RV, there’s a new corner of our natural world to explore this summer. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

Before you hit the road, though, make your first journey a little closer to home, and visit the La Mesa Branch Library.

We’re hosting a summer gramoardening workshop on Saturday, June 1, at 1 p.m. Learn the best methods for growing an edible garden in the heat.

Or join us for an exciting chance to hear the award-winning author of American Born Chinese, Dragon Hoops, y Avatar: The Last Airbender, Gene Luen Yang on Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m.

Check out www.sdcl.org/lamesa for more library events and to find the perfect travel guides, bestsellers, classics, and beach reads to join you on your summer adventures.