20 Best Books About Jordan: Travel Tips, Mysteries & Wanderlust

Jordan and Petra have not been popular settings for fiction. But that does not mean that there are no good books about Jordan to read before your visit to the Kingdom. One of my favorite things to do is to get a sense of the place I am planning to visit before I actually step foot into the country. If you are like me and getting started on planning a visit to Jordan, you are in the right place for some inspiration.

Below is a list of the 10 best books about Jordan and books about Petra that you should read before you visit or to re-ignite the memories from your visit to the country.

20 Best Books about Jordan

Wadi Rum - Rock Bridge
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Is Syria Safe

Further Reading Books based on the Middle East:

Burned Alive by Souad

The Source by James A Michener

The Haj by Leon Uris

Last of the Bedu

The Language of Baklava

More Jordan Travel Resources

In order to help make your visit to Jordan as memorable as possible, I have created a number of resources from planning guides to local eats.

If you have just begun the planning, check out 101 Things to do in Jordan to give you some inspiration on the places you want to make sure you have time to see. Are you a backpacker? Or like to travel like one? Check out my guide to backpacking Jordan. 

Rental Cars are very popular in Jordan, get a quote on renting a car before you arrive. This 7 day Jordan itinerary is perfect for self driving

If you are working on a self-drive itinerary or plan to see the country independently, there is a guide on getting around in Jordan.

If you are thinking of booking a tour, or wondering how much hassle a self drive itinerary can be, check out this post I have on the best Jordan tours to book.

For your time in Amman, check out top things to do in Amman and where to eat.

For your time in Petra, check out our guide to Petra and what to eat in Wadi Musa.

If you are visiting Aqaba, check out the best restaurants in Aqaba as well as popular day trips.

Travel Insurance for Jordan

There are a few other things to think about when it comes to travel. The first thing is travel insurance. Whether it is an emergency room visit for something as simple as strep throat, or an emergency appendix surgery, or an unfortunate moped incident things do go wrong when people travel everyday.

I highly suggest travel insurance and a good policy. I personally never travel without it, and I even checked into my policy about care for my children if I am ever in an accident or hospitalized. There are just too many things to think about.

You can find out more information and buy your travel insurance here.

 

Things to Consider Bringing on a Trip to Jordan

With a book (or two) in hand, your packing for Jordan has begun. If you want to know my other suggestions, the top ones are below.

Whether you want to keep the sun off your head or want to show a little modesty, a scarf goes a long way in Jordan any time of the year. You can bring one with you or pick up one when you arrive, but don’t leave your hotel in the morning without it! It can serve as a hat to keep the sun off your head and neck in the summer and can add some warmth in winder and can offer modesty to cover shoulders for women.

A Grayl Water Bottle is something I recommend for every traveller, not just those going to the Middle East. Some people say the water is safe to drink from the tap, others say it is not; it is not something I am going to chance. And Jordan has a HUGE garbage problem. The streets, the forests and even the desert are littered with plastic bottles.

If you consider drinking at least 1-2 big water bottles a day while you are there, think of how much plastic that creates when every visitor and the population’s 9 million people do the same. With a Grayl, you can filter any tap water (or actually any water source) and have clean drinking water in seconds. Since most people travel with water bottles already, consider one like this with a filter so that you are not just pouring from big water bottles to small. It might sound expensive, but when you compare it to spending a few dollars per day on water while you travel (and do not forget how expensive the water is inside airports), you will pay for this very quickly.

An inexpensive Universal Travel Adapter is another must for Jordan. You will find an assortment of 220V plugs, from European 2 pin, another style of 2 pin and UK Plugs. While European 2 pin is most common, it is best to carry one of these adapters with you. With a handy USB input, you do not need to bring your plugs from home.

Kleenex or Wipes are another thing to put on your list. Jordan’s public washrooms (and even restraint or hotel lobby washrooms can often be unstocked. Unless you are good with a bidet sprayer, bring yourself some kleenex or wipes just in case! You will find that most washrooms in tourist sites and rest stops have an attendant that will give you toilet paper and paper towel for a small tip. Usually half a dinar is fine.

In Jordan, the plumbing is not set up to handle toilet paper. Every bathroom (even hotels) you should use the garbage can beside the toilet for your toilet paper and any sanitary products.

Motion Sickness Pills might be needed if you are prone to motion sickness and plan on traveling by bus or in the back of the car. There are many windy, hilly and bumpy roads in Jordan. Sea Bands might work for you if you are prone to motion sickness.

I have an entire post on what to wear in Jordan to help with all of your clothing choices

best books about Jordan, Petra and the Middle East

 

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