If you are just preparing for your Camino de Santiago journey or want to get excited about it enough to decide to walk the Way of Saint James, then you might be ready to read some stories about it. This is a list of 5 books about the Camino that follow the real stories of pilgrims who have a story to share. Most of them are not known writers, but just like many pilgrims you will meet along the way, they have a story to share.
- The Way of the Cross and the Struggle for Holiness
This book is written by a young man in his early 20s that decided to walk the Camino between the end of his college education and the start of his first professional job. What is most unique about this journey is that he decided to carry a large wooden cross totaling nearly 8 feet in height along the entire route. For those who don’t know the distance of the Camino Frances, this is around 500 plus miles or 800 kilometers. That is a long way!
- The Camino: A Journey of the Spirit
A pair of anonymous handwritten inspired Shirley to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. It was an intense spiritual and physical journey that can be shared through words.
- I’m Off Then
A simple journal turned into a book about the Camino. This authentic insight into another pilgrim will inspire you to look deeply into your own life experiences. Some areas may relate to you and help you to desire to experience the journey too.
- Blanket of Stars
For those experiencing a mid-life crisis or needing to avoid one in the first place. This book helps gain more exposure to those experiencing insight into another pilgrim that has an empty nest. For parents looking for a journey after their kids have left the house, you may want to consider this book as it might relate more to you than you think.
- Mercy and Grace
A story about a 300-pound woman who decided to walk on the Camino. It is a mix of humor and raw authentic feelings experienced by many pilgrims. Even though this author is not a writer in the past doesn’t mean that this story isn’t work reading. Don’t judge a book by its cover here.
You can read more about how others on the Camino by reading more books about the Camino de Santiago. You can find Camino books and the ideal backpacking gear or Camino packing list for the trip at different blogs that are specialized in the Camino de Santiago journey.
About the Author:
Caleb walked the Camino de Santiago in the fall of 2016 and is planning another trip with his family and newborn baby in the fall of 2021. He works as a NetSuite developer at a family business in Wisconsin providing IT services to mid-market organizations. This career field is perfect for the Camino because it allows him to occasionally take longer vacations and work remotely.
