14 Best Books for Digital Nomads

Being a digital nomad isn’t just about swapping offices for cafés in exotic locations – it’s about mastering the art of living and working on the move.

From navigating foreign tax laws to staying productive across multiple time zones, the nomadic lifestyle comes with complex and unique challenges.

But the right books can be a game-changer, offering digital nomads an insight and strategy to make their journey smoother, more productive and even more enjoyable.

At Nomad Capitalist, we’ve got decades of experience in digital nomadism and establishing a global lifestyle: in fact, the Nomad Capitalist founder literally wrote the book on it.

So, based on our extensive knowledge of global citizenship, travel and offshore planning, we’ve developed an in-depth guide to the top book picks for digital nomads.

Each one offers unique insights to help you navigate and thrive in this adventurous lifestyle.

Why Digital Nomads Should be Reading More

As a digital nomad, staying on top of ever-changing global tax laws, visa rules and immigration policies is vital to maintaining a hassle-free lifestyle. 

Since rules and policies change all the time, it makes sense to stay informed to avoid potential problems and keep your travels smooth.

Books provide a wealth of knowledge to help you navigate the choppy waters of international investment and immigration, keeping your nomadic journey as seamless as possible.

They’ll help you understand and prepare for the challenges that await, choose ideal destinations and allow you to plan more effectively for your travels.

If there’s a drawback with books, it can be that they don’t always offer the most up-to-date information.

Fortunately, you can rely on our extensive YouTube channel and blog, which are always updated on the best strategies for living and working around the world.

14 Best Books for Digital Nomads

Without further delay, and to help make your life on the road easier, here’s our pick of the best books all digital nomads should have in their library.

Nomad Capitalist: Reclaim Your Freedom with Offshore Bank Accounts, Dual Citizenship, Foreign Companies and Overseas Investments

• Author: Andrew Henderson
• Why read this book: This comprehensive guide offers actionable strategies for optimising your financial freedom and global mobility through offshore solutions.

There’s no better place to start than with our company’s namesake book, written by Nomad Capitalist founder, Andrew Henderson.

It remains the most valuable resource when it comes to maximising your global freedom and financial efficiency – a topic that nobody else covers in such a practical way.

Andrew Henderson, the founder of Nomad Capitalist, distils over a decade of international expertise into this practical guide, providing readers with a blueprint for navigating the complexities of offshore finance, dual citizenship and global investments.

The book takes a deep dive into the strategies and practices that can help you escape the constraints of your home country’s tax systems, economic instability and bureaucratic red tape. 

The book introduces the concept of ‘going where you’re treated best’ to help you find better opportunities worldwide.

This is covered through topics like setting up offshore companies, acquiring second passports, managing foreign bank accounts and investing overseas. 

Each chapter is designed to offer both foundational knowledge and actionable steps.

As a digital nomad living and working in multiple countries, you’ll benefit immensely from understanding how to navigate global financial and legal systems and that includes optimising your personal and financial lives, reducing taxes and making the most of your international experiences. 

By learning from Andrew Henderson’s insights and real-life anecdotes, digital nomads can make informed decisions about where to live, work and invest.

It’s also a particularly valuable resource for entrepreneurs, investors and anyone looking to leverage global opportunities to their advantage.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been living a nomadic lifestyle for years, these strategies will provide you with the tools to enhance your freedom and success in a complex world.

The Digital Nomad Handbook

• Author: Lonely Planet
• Why read this book: The guide offers practical advice for anyone starting out as a digital nomad, including essential tips on destinations and lifestyle.

Lonely Planet’s The Digital Nomad Handbook is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to transition into a nomadic lifestyle or improve their existing travel and work setup. 

The book covers core topics like finding reliable Wi-Fi, choosing the best work-friendly cafes and packing efficiently.

It also provides valuable insights into destinations that are ideal for digital nomads, making it a practical resource for planning your journey. 

This book is perfect if you’re new to the digital nomad lifestyle and need some actionable advice from those who have done it to get started.

Vagabonding

• Author: Rolf Potts
• Why read this book: Gain deep insights into the philosophy and practicalities of long-term travel, perfect for those who prioritise travel in their nomadic lifestyle.

Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding is an inspiring and practical guide to long-term travel. 

While it doesn’t focus exclusively on digital nomadism, it provides excellent advice on adapting to new cultures, managing budgets and thriving on the road. 

Potts emphasises the mindset needed for a successful travel experience and offers practical tips for budgeting and living simply.

This book is ideal for digital nomads who see travel as the main part of their lifestyle and want to embrace a more minimalist approach.

Remote: Office Not Required

Remote: Office Not Required explores the advantages and challenges of remote work. 

The book offers insights into improving productivity and maintaining innovation while working remotely, covering topics like creating effective routines, managing virtual teams and overcoming the pitfalls of remote work. 

This book is particularly useful for digital nomads who want to maximise their productivity and adapt to a flexible work environment.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Remote-Office-Not-Required/dp/B00FDWKJGU/ref=sr_1_1

Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance

• Author: Erica Dhawan
• Why read this book: You’ll learn essential skills for effective digital communication, which are vital for maintaining professional relationships remotely.

Erica Dhawan’s Digital Body Language is all about the nuances of communication in a digital world: if you work remotely while travelling, this is certainly a skill you’ll want to perfect.

The book provides strategies for understanding and adapting to different digital communication styles, such as email tone and response times, skills which are vital for digital nomads who rely on digital communication. 

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

• Author: Tim Ferriss
• Why read this book: Offers a blueprint for automating income and creating a lifestyle with more freedom and flexibility.

Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek is often considered a kind of bible in the digital nomad community and the straightforward title clearly tells you what the book is about. 

Ferriss outlines how to delegate tasks, automate income streams and design a lifestyle that prioritises freedom and adventure. 

The book provides practical advice on outsourcing and creating passive income, making it an inspirational read for those who want to escape the traditional 9-to-5 grind.

It was originally published back in 2007, so some of the tips and ideas, particularly around technology, may be somewhat outdated.

However, the general philosophy and lifestyle tips behind the book are still just as valuable today.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work

• Authors: Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
• Why read this book: Advocates for a balanced approach to work that helps avoid burnout, which is essential for maintaining a sustainable remote working lifestyle.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work is all about creating a more balanced and effective approach to work, a key skill all digital nomads need to get right.

It offers practical strategies for managing time, hiring and prioritising what truly matters. 

This book is invaluable for digital nomads looking to create a sustainable work environment without letting work overwhelm their personal lives.

HBR Guide to Remote Work

• Author: Harvard Business Review
• Why read this book: Provides actionable advice on managing remote work effectively, from running virtual meetings to communicating with teams.

The HBR Guide to Remote Work is a comprehensive resource for anyone working remotely, offering practical tips on creating routines, running effective virtual meetings and communicating with colleagues. 

It’s a valuable tool for digital nomads who need to navigate the complexities of remote work and stay productive while working from different locations.

So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love

• Author: Cal Newport
• Why read this book: Focuses on developing valuable skills that can lead to greater autonomy and career satisfaction.

Cal Newport’s So Good They Can’t Ignore You argues against the idea of following a passion and instead emphasises building rare and valuable skills. 

The book provides insights on how to achieve career success and autonomy by mastering specific skills and using them for personal and professional growth.

While it’s a great book for any professional and not specifically digital nomads, it does provide valuable advice on improving your career prospects and achieving a fulfilling work-life balance.

If you’re a permanent traveller, then these are definitely things you want to master.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day

• Author: Matt Kepnes
• Why read this book: Offers practical tips for budget travel, helping digital nomads save money and extend their travels.

As you’d imagine from the title, Matt Kepnes’ How to Travel the World on $50 – that’s 50 US dollars – a Day provides practical advice for travelling on a budget. 

The book covers everything from saving on flights and accommodation to eating well while travelling.

It’s a great resource for digital nomads who want to maximise their travel experiences without breaking the bank.

Sure, you’re probably not actually living on US$50 a day, but general advice about budget-friendly destinations and travel is always useful, regardless of your budget.

If this sounds useful to you, take a look at our guide to the best places to live with $1,000 per month.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

• Author: Stephen R Covey
• Why read this book: Offers timeless principles for personal and professional effectiveness.

Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a classic guide to personal and professional development. 

It’s not new and it’s not specifically geared towards digital nomads but, if your life is focused on travel and work, you’ll definitely gain plenty of value from this read.

The book outlines seven habits that can lead to greater effectiveness and success so it’s a valuable resource for digital nomads wanting to enhance productivity and achieve their goals.

The End of Jobs: Money, Meaning and Freedom Without the 9-to-5

• Author: Taylor Pearson
• Why read this book: Explores the shift from traditional employment to alternative work models, providing insights for digital nomads.

Taylor Pearson’s The End of Jobs explores the evolving nature of work and employment.

It discusses how tech advances and economic changes are making traditional jobs obsolete, encouraging readers to embrace entrepreneurship and freelancing. 

This book offers some great perspectives for digital nomads navigating the changing work landscape.

The Magic of Thinking Big

• Author: David J Schwartz
• Why read this book: Encourages a growth mindset and positive thinking, which are essential for overcoming challenges as a digital nomad.

David J Schwartz’s The Magic of Thinking Big focuses on the power of mindset in achieving personal and professional success.

Offering practical strategies for overcoming fear, setting goals, and cultivating a positive attitude, this is a motivational read for digital nomads who need to maintain a positive outlook and achieve their ambitions.

Do What You Love, Love What You Do: The Empowering Secrets to Turn Your Passion into Profit

• Author: Holly Tucker
• Why read this book: Provides inspiring stories and advice on turning passions into profitable businesses, useful for entrepreneurial digital nomads.

Holly Tucker’s Do What You Love, Love What You Do shares some inspiring stories of successful entrepreneurs who turned their passions into profitable ventures. 

The book offers practical advice and motivation for digital nomads who want to start or grow their own businesses. It’s a great resource for those seeking to align their work with their passions.

Travel and Live Smarter as a Digital Nomad

As the books above amply indicate, there are many different topics to explore as a digital nomad and, if you’re already living a nomadic lifestyle, you’ll understand just how important each of these topics is. 

Staying up-to-date is essential, so reading the right books is a great way to stay informed and create a better strategy for global travel and work.

However, if you’re earning a lot of money, navigating different tax jurisdictions and requirements can get tricky.

At Nomad Capitalist, we specialise in creating bespoke global plans for high-net-worth individuals.

Whether it’s advising on how to avail of new tax regimes and jurisdictions, gaining a second passport, or developing offshore investing, we’ll help you establish an action plan tailored to your own specific needs.

Get in touch to see how we can help you optimise your life as a digital nomad.