Digital nomad books help to understand the modern phenomenon of countriless generations, who love to work and travel at the same time without borders.

Some people might think of them as people who work from their laptops all the time, but that's not exactly what a digital nomad is. A digital nomad is someone who works remotely, using technology to get their work done. Besides that, digital nomad lifestyle is connected to travelling, when your work (like blogging) is also your hobby.

The phrase “digital nomad” became popular thanks to a book titled Digital Nomad by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners (1997), where the authors describe how technology formed our modern lifestyle into “nomadic” one.

How To Start Your Digital Nomad Life?

  • Start your freelancer business, pick the right platform (e.g. Fiverr) or have an established web presence
  • Use strong and reliable devices (Micorsoft Studio 2 Laptop, Samsung S series Ultra phone or iPhone Pro phone) Having the right tools are essential
  • Choose the right destination (Thailand, Indonesia, Portugal, Cyprus and Estonia are great choices) to stay, and find the longer cheap accommodation once you are there (you may start with an Airbnb)
  • Keep connected, use the local mobile network providers (they are always the cheapest alternative), never rely only on local Wifi!

There are a lot of different ways to be a digital nomad, and there isn't one way that's better than the other. Some people use online tools like Zoom or Google Meet to communicate with their clients or co-workers. Others use more traditional methods like regular phone calls or in-person meetings.

Tools like Slack, Skype, and WhatsApp have also become integral to the digital nomad lifestyle. Slack is particularly favored for its team collaboration features, offering organized channels for different projects or topics and integrating seamlessly with other work tools. Skype remains a reliable choice for video and voice calling, serving both professional and personal communication needs. WhatsApp, known for its simplicity and ease of use, is often the go-to for quick messaging and calls, especially for informal communications or networking with fellow nomads and local contacts.

What it means to be a digital nomad really depends on the person and their specific needs. But whatever style they choose, being a digital nomad is all about flexible working and taking advantage of new technologies.

Here are my favorite digital nomad books to get fresh ideas for your life.

What Are The Top Books For Digital Nomads?

How to Be a Digital Nomad, by Kayla Ihrig (2024)

This book guides you through the life of a digital nomad, a lifestyle embraced by 35 million people who work and explore simultaneously. It serves as both a practical handbook and an insightful narrative, featuring interviews with diverse remote workers and covering five decades of digital nomadism.

The book emphasizes the unique opportunities of balancing a successful career with world travel, catering to those seeking short-term escapes, gap years, or a complete lifestyle change, showing how to maintain career control while globetrotting.

Nomad Capitalist, by Andrew Henderson

Andrew Henderson, a leading expert in offshore tax planning, second passports, and global citizenship. Andrew spent his last ten years to investigate the world and travel in order to teach businesses and stakeholders how to keep more of their money. Tax optimization is a real thing and not only for big companies, but also individuals.

Henderson's book is a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs and investors seeking to enhance their lifestyle, retain more of their earnings, and grow their wealth through international living, investing, banking, and business.

It provides practical advice on topics like foreign companies, offshore accounts, overseas investments, and dual citizenship. The book, which draws on Henderson's extensive travel and investigative experience, is presented as a direct, honest, experienced, and even humorous guide to living a life of international proportions. It includes strategies for storing assets in secure locations, finding love in exotic places, and improving one's health and tax situation by following the mantra, “Go where you're treated best.”

This book will provide you with a snapshot of what's possible, including various second-passport opportunities, offshore banking services to utilize (and avoid) specific jurisdictions to think about for business and investment.

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich, by Timothy Ferriss

The traditional concept of retirement is slowly fading away. The world of work is under great changes. People tend to work less than they used to.

A study in Sweden found that people worked an average of 1,660 hours in 1970, but only 1,566 hours in 2006. The 4-Hour Workweek is a book by Timothy Ferriss that promotes working less and living better.

His theory is that you can achieve the same level of success by working only four hour per week. This might not seem like much, but if you divide it up over the course of a year, it equals 48 hours per week! That’s more than enough time to relax, enjoy your life, and achieve your goals.

This step-by-step guide to meaningful lifestyle teaches how Tim went from $40,000 per year and 80 hours per week to $40,000 per month with only 4 hours per week.

The Digital Nomad Handbook (Lonely Planet), by Lonely Planet

Are you longing to travel more but don't know how to start? Or are you currently travelling but want to be even more productive and efficient? This digital nomad book is for you.

It will inspire and motivate you to start a whole new way of living, by creating a flexible travel schedule that works for you. You'll learn how to work from anywhere in the world, how to save money on your travels, and how to make the most of your time away from home.

This book is divided into two parts, this first part of this informative book explains the practicalities of working on the road, including income generation and even handling career choices. While staying in touch with family, staying healthy and remain balanced on the road.

Part two highlights a small number of destinations that are well-suited for digital nomads, offering valuable insights and facts about the location in question, the pros and cons of the location, interesting stories from digital nomads traveling on the road.

Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion, by Gary Vaynerchuk

Online marketing pioneer and CEO, Gary Vaynerchuk is on a mission to help small businesses achieve success online. He believes that by empowering small businesses to take control of their own online presence, they can achieve success beyond their wildest dreams.

With over 10 years of experience leading successful digital marketing campaigns for some of the world’s top companies. Crush It! has the know-how to help your business reach new heights online. From developing effective social media strategies to crafting world-class web copy, we will work tirelessly to help your business thrive in the digital age.

The $100 Startup, by Chris Guillebeau

Chris Guillebeau completed his worldwide travel but never did a job or earned a regular paycheck. Instead, he has a unique talent for generating income through original ideas, and he applies those earnings to live a life full of exciting activities and to bring his earnings to light for the public.

The author, in one easy-to-follow guide, has compiled the most valuable lessons that can be learned by those who have discovered how turning what they do into a gateway to self-fulfillment can happen right at the intersection between areas of knowledge and expertise. You only need a product or service that you really love and that people will willingly pay for.

Chris outlines one of his key beliefs as follows:

If you’re good at one thing, you’re probably good at something else; never teach a man to fish—sell him the fish instead.

Digital Nomads: How to Live, Work and Play Around the World, by André Gussekloo

Many of the digital nomads of today solve real problems that developed out of their imaginations, arming themselves with a laptop computer and following their dreams. Are you someone who is ready to step into their shoes and explore the world?

You don't like the monotony of operating in a fixed location and also enjoy traveling. Digital nomadism is the perfect life for you.

Whether you're considering a career change or just want to improve your life in general. The book offers step-by-step guidance on everything from setting goals to building a successful freelance business. Interviews with people who've gone through the same transformations as you make the content exceptionally personal and inspiring.

Even if you have no online skills, there is still hope to succeed, this guide may help in your journey.

Virtual Freedom: How to Work with Virtual Staff to Buy More Time, Become More Productive, and Build Your Dream Business, by Chris C. Ducker

Entrepreneurs often feel “superhero syndrome”, the assumption that in order to be successful, we need to do everything by our own hands.

Chris Ducker is an entrepreneur and futurist who believes that the future of work is virtual. Ducker shared his thoughts in this book on the so-called “virtual freedom”, he argues that we have to outsource tasks and activities to keep our focus on our vision.

In the ever-changing digital age, it is more important than ever to remain productive. Virtual Freedom is the ultimate digital nomad book for building your own business with the help of remote employees.

Digital Nomads: In Search of Freedom, Community, and Meaningful Work in the New Economy, by Rachael A. Woldoff

In Digital Nomads, the author Rachael Woldoff and Robert Litchfield lead readers to an expatriate digital nomad community in Bali, allowing us to become familiar with this Millennial community.

One of the benefits of working as a digital nomad is that you will have the time to explore without having to worry about your job. This allows you to see the world in a different way and learn new skills that you can use in the future.

Woldoff and Winfield supply info about the strategies digital nomads use to balance between work and creative freedom in an age dominated by technology. A sympathetic yet critical take on this emerging team of workers, Digital Nomads supplies a revealing viewpoint on the changing workplace and the challenges faced by new industries.

Global Career: How to Work Anywhere and Travel Forever (Become a Digital Nomad Today with Remote Work and Find Remote Jobs Easily), by Michael Swigunski

Global Career is a digital nomad book that will help you learn how to become a digital nomad by researching high-paying remote jobs through a proven step-by-step process based on the author's ten years of experience.

A common misconception about retirement is that people have to work until they're 90 years old in order to have a comfortable life. However, this isn't always the case. In fact, there are many ways for people to retire comfortably in their twenties and start traveling. Working on your passion isn't considered working is it?

Mike's intention to shares everything with the readers he's learned from years of experience about how to travel long term. From packing light to making money while travelling, Mike provides tips and tricks to avoid common mistakes. Whether you're just starting out on your global journey or have been travelling for years, Global Career is a must-read for anyone planning a digital nomad lifestyle.

The Digital Nomad Survival Guide: How to Successfully Travel the World While Working Remotely, by Peter Knudson

Do you hope for the future to be a digital nomad but you are not sure where or how to start? The Digital Nomad Survival Guide is for you. Basically this book is for beginners, starting from the scratch.

The information contained in this book outlines numerous aspects of travel, housing, work, and socializing that digital nomads can use to set up and manage their new life.

The expert author distills his advice from what he learned through teamwork with twenty digital nomads and great conversations with hundreds more, from over 70 nations in all.

Choose Life: The Tools, Tricks, and Hacks of Long-Term Family Travellers, Worldschoolers and Digital Nomads, by Daniel Prince

This book is the evidence that by thinking differently and perceiving hazard as a chance for a far better life, you can forge a better future for yourself and your family. Step into the life of Daniel Prince and his family. They are a long-term world-schooling travelers and digital nomads.

The book is based on the author's life journey and experiences as led his way into the rat race. Daniel Prince goes to great lengths to share valuable knowledge, tips, emotions, coping mechanisms, and more.

The author describes his experiences very honestly to share his message with other young families. Use his methods, this is how one family achieved it, and how you can do this too!

Serve No Master: How to Escape the 9-5, Start up an Online Business, Fire Your Boss and Become a Lifestyle Entrepreneur or Digital Nomad, by Jonathan Green

In this book, you will discover how to break chains that hold back your earning potential for far too long. It is ill-advised to underestimate yourself. Discover methods to break through every challenge preventing you from achieving your goals.

Serve No Master focuses to find the source of every excuse and reduce it to a series of simple, sequential steps that anyone can follow. It doesn't matter whether you're currently working at home or sawDime, you're entitled to a little your free time.

The book have been packed with advice that you can put to good use right away. Starting your own online business can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. If you're looking for an approach that allows you to Serve No Master, then lifestyle entrepreneurship may be the perfect fit for you.

Just choose the right niche and a specific market segment as start.

Further Tips From Digital Nomad Books

  1. Use a VPN Always · A VPN not only protects your online activity but also helps access sites that might be restricted in certain countries. Choose a VPN known for its speed and security features.
  2. Local SIM Cards for Internet · Instead of relying on public Wi-Fi, buy a local SIM card for better internet access. It's usually cheaper and provides more reliable service than most international plans.
  3. Noise-Canceling Headphones · Invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones. They are essential for working in noisy cafes or coworking spaces and great for flights. (I'm using a Bose QuietComfort 45 which I really like)
  4. Multiple financial and usability apps · Use apps like Revolut or Wise for currency exchange (also give a great card for your EU stays), ChatGPT for translate, and Slack or Discord for keeping in touch with your team or digital nomad communities.
  5. Cooking Gear for Hostels · Carry basic cooking gear like a portable knife, a small cutting board, and a few spices. It saves money and you can eat healthily.
  6. Dry Bags for Electronics · Protect your electronics from unexpected rain or water activities with dry bags. If you are traveling a lot this would be an essential kit, they are especially useful in tropical locations and in England.
  7. Rent a Bike or Scooter · Freedom is everything! In many cities, renting a bike or a scooter is a cost-effective and enjoyable way to explore. It gives you flexibility and helps in staying active.
  8. A Good Backpack · Pick the maximum size allowed for airflights (e.g. Ryanair sizes) A durable, comfortable backpack with good support is essential. Look for one with various compartments to keep your tech gear safe and organized.

Final Thoughts on Digital Nomad Lifestyle and Books

Digital Nomad lifestyle represents a redefinition of success and productivity, one not anchored in a traditional office setting or a 9-to-5 schedule, but rather in the quality of output and the efficiency of work irrespective of location.

This lifestyle advocates for a balance that many find elusive in conventional settings. It’s about integrating work with life’s passions, be it exploring new cultures, learning languages, or simply having the flexibility to spend time with loved ones across the globe. This integration leads to a more holistic approach to personal and professional growth, where experiences and exposure directly contribute to one’s skill set and worldview.

These above digital nomad books are a great resource for anyone looking to change their life. The books listed above provide great ideas and advice on how to become a digital nomad and live a location-independent lifestyle. If you are looking to make a change in your life, I highly recommend check some of them out!

If you are interested in remote working check out our favorite freelancing books.

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