Ten books that awaken the travel bug in me

Inspired by an old Top Ten Tuesday topic (from June 2018), I decided to look into my recent reading history and put together 10 books that awaken the travel bug in me.

🌎 Around the world – Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

I start with a surprising choice, because most of the action from Piranesi takes place in an enclosed labyrinth. However, the main character is so curious about nature, so interested in all details … it makes me want to travel the world and be as curious as him!

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🌎 Around the world – The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

Addie LaRue travels a lot! And she does not only go from one place to another, but also leaves a mark, as she influences (fictional) local artists in their work. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (my review) inspires me to learn about art and hidden stories of masterpieces around the world.

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🇮🇹 Italy – The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

I read The Name of the Rose a few years ago (my review) and it still makes me think of beautiful Italian abbeys and charming fortress cities. Italy is one of the countries I visited several times, and I just can’t get enough of the beautiful nature and lovely places … la vita e bella 🙂

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🇧🇧 Barbados – How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones

Golden sand and turquoise beaches … Barbados seems to be like heaven on Earth! While reading How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House (my review) I could not avoid the thought that maybe one day I’ll get there.

However, the book does not paint a beautiful picture of local’s life in Barbados, raising awareness about the violence against women in the Caribbean.

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🇲🇬 Madagascar – Red Island House by Andrea Lee

Reading Red Island House (my review) definitely made me want to travel to Madagascar. The book is a full immersion in the culture of Madagascar, as each new chapter brings into spotlight another facet of the island’s heritage – from mystical local legends to the less-magical impact that tourists had on the local people.

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🇻🇳 Vietnam – The Mountains Sing by Quế Mai Nguyễn Phan

Vietnam is one of the places I’d love to explore, and I picked up The Mountains Sing (my review) mainly because it was set in Vietnam 🙂 Even though the story itself is quite sad, illustrating the difficulties of local families who faced violent reforms and wars, The Mountains Sing is a lovely book that will get you closer to the Vietnamese culture.

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🇷🇴 Romania – The Innocents by Ioana Parvulescu

Next is a book set in Romania that makes me want to travel and explore my home country. The action from The Innocents (my review) is mainly taking place in Brasov and its surroundings, one of the most beautiful areas in Romania.

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🇳🇱 Netherlands – The Miniaturist and The House of Fortune by Jessie Burton

I am very fond of the Netherlands, as I lived there for 2 years during my master studies. So when I read the two amazing books by Jessie Burton – The Miniaturist (my review) and its sequel The House of Fortune (my review), I was immediately transported to the lovely streets of Amsterdam.

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🇪🇸 Spain – The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Needless to say, my favourite series of all times cannot be forgotten from this list 🙂 The Cemetery of Forgotten Books (my review) takes you on an adrenaline-rush journey through beautiful Barcelona, wondering on gothic streets. Real and imagined places are featured in Zafón’s stories – check out this post by These Paper Words for some real-world examples!

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🇪🇬 Egypt – Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

The action from Christie’s book takes place during a cruise on the Nile, in Egypt. Beautiful sunsets, astonishing temples, lovely parties – reading Death on the Nile (my review) is a full immersion in a fancy holiday. Too bad the good atmosphere (and Poirot’s holiday) is interrupted by a death …

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Now it’s your turn! What books awaken the travel bug in you?

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If you would like to buy these books, or other (non)bookish things, please consider using one of these links: Amazon | Waterstones | Carturesti. Thank you!

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‘Till next time … happy reading!

Georgiana

PS: cover photo from Pexels