23 Best Camino de Santiago Books to Read in 2024

1. Steps Out of Time, One Woman’s Journey on the Camino

by Katharine B. Soper, 2013

Descriptive and narrative, you’ll feel like you are on the Camino path when reading to this award-winning memoir.

As it rightfully says on Amazon, this book “will resonate with anyone who has felt overwhelmed by the pace and demands of life and who remembers – but cannot seem to recreate – a life that was calmer, richer and more fulfilling.”

If you’ve heard the call of the Camino, Soper (who has walked the Camino Francés and Camino Portugués) will draw you in as she shares the uncertainties that come with natural life changes.

Afterward, you’ll be ready to travel solo along the Way!

2. A Million Steps

by Kurt Koonz, 2013

This diary-travelogue is a wonderful reminder that although you can pack all the right gear, you can never predict the internal and physical transformation that you will experience on the Camino.

Wonderfully detailed and separated into useful topics, it’s astounding how Kurt Koonz was able to recall his Camino de Santiago pilgrimage with such precision.

Surely, you’ll enjoy the author’s personal history of addiction, recovery, and love together with joyful friendships and realistic details of the pilgrim experience.

3. Walking to the End of the World: A Thousand Miles on the Camino de Santiago

by Beth Jusino, 2018

Beth and Eric Jusino began the 1000-mile long-distance hiking trail in the cathedral of the historic village of Le Puy, France.

Beth narrates how an average couple manages to face the challenging, physical trek. Her entertaining description reminds us that we can all complete the journey if we put our hearts, minds, and souls into it.

Witty and filled with story-telling and insights, this award-winning writer, editor, and publishing consultant will take you along with her on the inspiring journey of a lifetime.

4. Hiking the Camino

by Dave Pivonka, 2009

Father Dave invites you to walk with him on the ancient spiritual pilgrimage.

When exhausted, sore, and perhaps a little lost, Father Dave reminds us that God is ever-present and eager to care for us, whether we acknowledge Him or not.

What’s more, the author offers practical life lessons mixed with humorous insights with which any pilgrim can identify.

But above all, he inspires pilgrims to walk the 500 miles with Jesus prayerfully. 

5. Ordinary Magic: Promises I Kept to My Mother Through Life, Illness, and a Very Long Walk on the Camino de Santiago

by Cameron Powell, 2018

In this loving memoir, fierce and funny Powell describes life’s most difficult voyage: his mother’s cancer diagnosis.

With news that her cancer has returned for good this time, Powell vows to accompany his German-born mother on the 500-mile trek across the Iberian peninsula.

Joined by his cousin, they pick up their own band of misfits. Blog/journal entries by each family member augment an amusing travelogue.

In the latter half, this son-to-mother Camino love story turns somber as the author painfully shares his deep sadness as his mother loses her battle with cancer several years later.

6. Camino Sunrise-Walking With My Shadows

by Reginald Spittle, 2018

Anyone who has struggled with both debilitating anxiety and life-long self-doubt can empathize with Spittle’s Camino story.

Indeed, this memoir’s author is undermined by low self-confidence and scarred by childhood foibles. Spittle tackles the trek and gives an honest portrayal of the joys and trials of pilgrim life.

Walking with his wife Sue, he consequently reminds us of the simple human kindness that exists in the world.

In short, this great read might just inspire you to experience sunrise on the Camino, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

7. The Way of Love: On the Camino de Santiago

by Angela Leslee, 2019

A memoir inspired by the author’s blog posts, this Camino book fills the niche for a growing population of women pilgrims over 60 traveling solo.

Setting off with an idealistic picture of the Camino experience, the author honestly describes the hard time she had as she confronted her fears.

Moreover, she reveals the life-changing lessons she learns along the way while sharing details of the Camino path itself.

8. Boots to Bliss

by Claude Tranchant, 2012

Tranchant is no stranger to the Camino, hiking alone as a 64-year-old woman for 100 days through France and Spain.

Filled with detailed information, you will not only learn of Tranchant’s personal growth, determination, and self-empowerment, but also of the lovely towns and villages along the Way.

Most importantly, Tranchant’s book reminds the reader to take life at one’s own pace and to cherish personal inner strength.

9. Blanket of Stars: Thru-Hiking the Camino de Santiago

by C.W. Lockhart, 2018

Looking to face a mid-life crisis, an unlikely pilgrim sets off on the adventure of a lifetime.

Carrying far too much emotional baggage, Lockhart manages to shed emotional weight, share laughter and kindness, and honestly examine her past traumas.

In brief, she bravely takes you on an open and raw journey relatable to pilgrims who are looking to fully empty their backpacks of fear while finding peace along the Way.

10. Travels With a Stick: A Pilgrim’s Journey to Santiago de Compostela

by Richard Frazer, 2019

Frazer, a minister influential in the revival of pilgrimage in Scotland, seeks to get at the heart of pilgrimage through his thoughtful descriptions, compassion, and humor.

Unquestionably, he reminds the modern day pilgrims that completing the ancient pilgrimage route can be a nourishing spiritual journey if you are honest and open to transformation.

11. The Camino: A Journey of the Spirit

by Shirley MacLaine, 2001

Arguably one of the most well-known novels about the Camino de Santiago, actor and writer Shirley MacLaine set out decades ago on a personal quest for understanding on the Way of St. James.

There is some disagreement as to whether this book is a little too over-the-top or has just the right touch of spirituality, but there is no doubt MacLaine inspired many women seeking to better themselves to commence the journey solo, and thus, the book is worth including on this list.

12. The Walk of a Lifetime: 500 Miles on the Camino de Santiago

by Russ Eanes, 2019

Realizing his decades-old dream to walk the Camino, Eanes set off during a sabbatical to re-orient his hurried life at 61 years old. Part personal and part travel memoir, Eanes combines practical, almost guidebook-like advice with spirituality.

He lets his story slowly and mindfully unfold on each page, bringing the reader along with him on a life-changing journey that begins on the Camino and continues within each pilgrims’ soul.

To sum up, this book is a treat for anyone who wants to walk the Camino vicariously through Eanes. It is especially appealing to those struggling to put their Camino into words or those who cannot walk it themselves.

13. Savoring the Camino de Santiago: It’s the Pilgrimage, Not the Hike

by Julie Gianelloni Connor, 2019

This quick-read incorporates a memoir, travel journal, and practical guide for would-be pilgrims. The author details the many pleasures of the Camino, vulnerably mixing her personal history with culture and fascinating historical details.

Gianelloni Connor does solely not focus on the physical and spiritual walk, but offers the best ways for planning the journey.

Emphatically, she reminds pilgrims that there is no one way to experience to Camino, and that it is accessible to all who wish to partake.

14. I’m Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago

by Hape Kerkeling, 2009

This international bestseller and travelogue from German celebrity Hape Kerkeling has been translated into eleven languages.

Struggling with his physical limitations, Kekerling honestly and humorously recounts his physical and spiritual journey towards forgiveness along the Camino Frances.

Although perhaps not as approachable for those on a strict budget, the author offers a unique perspective and daily lessons that leave the reader pondering their own self-limiting beliefs.

15. Two Million Steps: Band-aids, Cocktails, and Finding Peace along Spain’s Camino de Santiago

by Patrick Devaney, 2017

Plagued with a propensity for negativity and a sense of dissatisfaction, Devaney heads out on the Camino in this part memoir, part guide to find purpose and peace along the path. Experiencing physical pain and working through memories and emotions, he recounts the moments that led to healing.

Those wishing to re-live the hike as well as those planning will enjoy the details of the incredible expedition through France and Spain that includes wonderful people, places, and events.

16. It’s About Time

by Johnnie Walker, 2019

If you’ve heard the call of the Camino, you know that you just can’t get enough nuggets of pilgrim wisdom. Having completed the pilgrimage multiple times, the author highlights the spirit of the Camino by allowing multiple pilgrims to share the different reasons they walked.

This book is a great place to start. It’s a resource full of practical advice for those who have heard the call and who are joyously open to the change pilgrimage can bring. Also, 100% proceeds from this book are donated to support pilgrim associations.

17. Adventures on ‘The Way’: 1100 miles on the Camino de Santiago

by Graeme Harvey, 2018

Beginning in Le Puy, France, Harvey runs the Camino while his recently-injured wife cycles.

This adventurous and detailed book reads a bit like a manual to the Camino, describing the rolling landscapes and stops along the 54 day, 1100-mile journey.

18. A Furnace Full of God: A Holy Year on the Camino de Santiago

by Rebekah Scott, 2019

Captured by the spirit of the pilgrimage trail, Rebekah and Patrick left their stressful jobs as journalists and moved to Spain in 2006. In this book, Rebekah recounts the 2010 Holy Year as a hospitalera (accommodation host) along the Camino Frances’ magical Meseta.

To their farmhouse, Peaceable Kingdom, they welcomed nuns, hippies, and farm animals alike in a donativo, or pay-as-you-are-able, fashion. This ex-pat hilariously tells their story is this unusual tale that will especially appeal to those wishing to return to a simpler life through pilgrimage.

Not only do Rebekah and Paddy welcome pilgrims along the Way, but they also serve pilgrims through their US-based non-profit, Peaceable Projects.

19. The Pilgrimage

by Paulo Coelho, 1987

Undoubtedly the most famous work about the road to Santiago, this enchanting parable highlights the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Companion to The Alchemist, some say you must read one to comprehend the other. Albeit it’s not a style of writing that everyone will enjoy, it’s worth checking out for yourself.

20. To the Field of Stars: A Pilgrim’s Journey to Santiago de Compostela

by Kevin A. Codd, 2008

To the Field of Stars tells the fascinating story of a Catholic priest’s personal journey on foot to Santiago.

One day after the next, Codd examines the physical, emotional, and spiritual ups and downs of pilgrimage in a candid chronicle.

Accordingly, he invites the reader to walk and share the pilgrimage experience with him.

21. The Way, My Way

by Bill Bennet, 2014

In this humorous take on a journey perhaps he wasn’t quite ready for, Bill Bennet, an Australian-based film director, shares honest moments of joy and discomfort on the 500-mile walk on the French Way.

Although he injures himself early on, he trudges forward physically and spiritually from the starting point towards Santiago de Compostela.

22. Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son

by Martin Sheen & Emilio Estevez w/Hope Edelman, 2016

Actor Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez (actor, director) narrate life stories and the journey of their ancestors in Spain in this dual memoir.

While not a Camino de Santiago book per say, I decided to include this as fans of the popular movie The Way are sure to enjoy this poignant story of this famous family’s spiritual awakening at the end of their journey.

23. Love on the Camino de Santiago

by Deborah Wilson, 2022

This poignant and inspiring memoir marries the physical journey along the Camino del Norte with a deeply personal emotional quest.

After a heartbreaking separation after 19 years of marriage, Wilson finds solace and strength in the camaraderie of fellow pilgrims, turning a walk of despair into one of self-discovery and empowerment.

Her compelling narrative reminds us that sometimes, it’s through walking and the unexpected generosity of strangers that we find our way back to ourselves.