I was browsing in the bookshop yesterday and came across a few interesting sounding books on Vanlife, Tiny Houses and Caravans. This got me thinking about all the books that are in the RV niche that I would recommend to anyone wanting some inspiration.
So I’ve ended up creating this book list of what I’ve read and loved or heard good things about.
Enjoy.
Don Jessen
This is a book I’ve just finished reading. It’s the story of Tek Jessen (Don’s dad) and how he started designing and building NZ caravans. Once you see the photos, you’ll start recognising some of the vintage caravans in New Zealand and know the story behind them. I love these types of books about someone with a bold idea who turns it into a successful business – it gets me all motivated and inspired.
Don has written an impressive amount of books and it’s worth having a look at his website:
donandmarilynjessen.co.nz
Lonely Planet
I spotted this book at the local bookshop and had a flick through. Part of me has gone off Lonely Planet because it’s now part of a giant company and this was just cashing in on the VanLife popularity, but they do know how to make a good looking book. It was full of tips and stories from actual van dwellers and think this would be a really enjoyable, practical and inspiring read… dammit.
On a side note, the book ‘Once while travelling’ is a great read too. It’s about how Lonely Planet (And TopDeck) started. I’ll just say again how much I love these types of books.
Through Amazon
Through PaperPlus
Bryce Langston
If you haven’t heard of Bryce yet, he has a HUGE YouTube channel about tiny houses. He started off awkwardly interviewing kiwi’s and is now travelling around the world interviewing tiny home owners. His video about a girl living in a pop-top caravan actually got me really thinking about a caravan as an option. It’s really exciting to see that he’s progressed to publishing a book and selling it at the local bookshop.
Through Amazon
Through PaperPlus
James and Jules
This is a book about a family living for 3 years in a house truck. They answer all the questions they regularly get asked. I’m so impressed that they got this idea and just went for it. James and Jules got their book printed at a local Greymouth printer and are selling them through their website. I actually met them recently and interviewed them.
Click here to find out more: whatyouhavealwayswantedtodo.com
Liz Wilcox
Liz is hilarious – she really just has a way with words. She started a website called The Virtual Campground and really got to know people in the American RV community. She ended up combining different RVing friends stories into this ebook… you know, the ones where things went wrong. If it’s the same as when I got my download, it’s a PDF that’s best read on a laptop.
Tales From The Black Tank can be bought here:
gumroad.com
I also interviewed her online and the video can be watched here.
Podcasts are so popular now and are almost taking over from reading an ebook. I’ve been a little slow in following this craze, but I’ve started listening to these two great RV themed podcasts.
The RV Entrepreneur
Heath is big in the US RV niche… Once you start following Heath & Alyssa, you realise how much they have done in just a few years! A true entrepreneur. Heath started a podcast interviewing inspiring business people who are connected to the RV industry in some way. They either live in an RV or their business is RV focused. You can really hear his enthusiasm and interest as he asks them questions and he gets some great business information. I’m hooked.
See podcasts through: heathandalyssa.com/rv-entrepreneur-podcast
Stories From The Road
This is a podcast I just came across. I’m interested in it because they interview a lot of American blogger and vloggers that I already follow. You just hear a great overview of how they started and how they make money on the road. They also share when things go wrong. From what I understand, this is set-up by an RV company – Camping World.
See podcasts through: blog.campingworld.com
Jackie from Richies Have Wheels has written a book and I’m impatiently waiting for it to come out. She’s one talented New Zealand writer and has quite a story about selling her house and moving into a van with her partner and dog.
I’d suggest following their Facebook page to learn when it’s available: facebook.com/richeshavewheels
I hope you find this list as inspiring as I have and please let me know if you have another book I should add.