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Published: 11/20/2023
The Best Fiction Travel Books To Read Before Traveling
How many times have you finished reading a novel and immediately added the book’s setting to your travel bucket list? If you’re anything like me, this happens all the time. To be brutally honest, I’m not sure I’ve taken a single trip in my life that wasn’t somehow been influenced by books.
Long before I had any notion of being a travel blogger (it was the 90s and blogs didn’t even exist!) Ann M. Martin’s descriptions of New York City in the Baby-Sitters Club book series inspired my love of the city. I read the American Girl Felicity books and longed to visit Colonial Williamsburg. As I got older, my studies of English literature inspired travels all over the British Isles. Closer to home, I picked up Curtis Sittenfeld’s Eligible and immediately knew I needed to visit Cincinnati.
I truly believe the best way to learn about a destination before traveling is through a good fiction book. For this post, I’ve teamed up with other travel bloggers to round up the novels that have inspired our travels.
Whether you’re headed to Cincinnati or Chile, we’ve founded the perfect book to pair with your travels. By reading these books before your trip, you’ll feel like you’re visiting an old friend when you finally reach your destination.
P.S. These novels also make excellent gifts for any travelers on your holiday gift list!
Africa
- Botswana: No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
- Morocco: Salt Road by Jane Johnson
Asia
- Istanbul: Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk
- Mumbai: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
- Thailand: The Beach by Alex Garland
Europe
- Barcelona: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- Eastern Europe: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
- France: Languedoc Triology by Kate Mosse
- Greece: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
- Ireland: The Lion of Ireland by Morgan Llywelyn
- Paris: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
- Naples: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
- Tuscany: The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore
- Whitby, England: Dracula by Bram Stoker
Central America
- Panama: The World in Half by Cristina Henríquez
North America
- Alaska: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
- Cincinnati: Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
- Martha’s Vineyard: The Identicals by Elin Hildebrand
- Mexico: The Battles In The Desert by José Emilio Pacheco
- Michigan: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
- New York City: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
- North Carolina: Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- Seattle: Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
South America
- Chiloe Island, Chile: Maya’s Notebook by Isabel Allende
Pacific Islands
- Hawaii: Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes
Best Fiction Travel Books Set in Africa
Botswana: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
When you pick up the first book in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency you’ll meet Precious Ramotswe. Mma Ramotswe is a single woman in her 30s, born, raised, and living in Botswana, Africa.
After losing her beloved father, she’s faced with the task of deciding what to do with her life. She makes a bold choice and takes you along for the ride.
Throughout this interesting, funny, and heartwarming series – over 20 books and counting – the characters will become your friends. You’ll get to know the people in Mma Ramotswe’s life – her friends, her colleagues, her late father Obed Ramotswe. And you’ll get to know Botswana.
The series is written by Alexander McCall Smith, who includes the country of Botswana in the story as if it’s another character. Seen through the eyes of Precious Ramotswe, it’s a character you’ll fall in love with. She describes her home country with strong affection, and the gratitude she expresses for having grown up in the beautiful land will make you wish you’d grown up there too.
If you have plans to visit Botswana yourself, read at least a couple of these first. You’ll feel a bit like you’re going home.
Contributed by Deb of Introvert with Itchy Feet
Morocco: The Salt Road by Jane Johnson
The sense of place in Jane Johnson’s books never fails to transport you to the featured far-flung destinations, and The Salt Road in particular really captures the imagination.
The story focuses on the ancient trade route that ran from the Moroccan souks to the desert. Isabelle is the modern-day protagonist, embarking on a quest along the Salt Road, in search of answers about her past. Following in the historic footsteps of a Tuareg women, she traces this iconic route through many of Morocco’s most beautiful landscapes.
If you’re traveling to Morocco, reading this book before your trip will paint a vivid picture of the places you’ll likely visit. It focuses on lesser-known areas as well as the bustling medina in Marrakech and the Saharan desert. Of particular note is the Anti-Atlas Mountains region, a stunning area that’s rarely featured in other novels set in Morocco. You’ll learn about the rural way of life in this rugged land, as well as some of the best spots for hiking and climbing. The town of Tafraout is a focal point, and a great spot to base yourself for your own Anti-Atlas Mountains adventure.
Contributed by Heather of Conversant Traveller
Best Fiction Travel Books Set in Asia
Istanbul: Museum of Innocence by Orham Pamuk
Museum of Innocence by Nobel-prize winner for literature Orhan Pamuk, is a tale of unrequited love and the complexities of human emotions, all set against the backdrop of a changing city. The story is set in Istanbul and revolves around the obsessive love of Kemal, a wealthy businessman, for his distant relative, Fusun. The novel is narrated from Kemal’s perspective and spans several decades, beginning in the 1970s.
The novel explores themes of love, memory, obsession, and the passage of time. It provides a detailed and intimate portrait of Kemal’s inner world and a vivid depiction of Istanbul’s evolving social and cultural landscape over the years.
As Kemal’s infatuation with Fusun deepens, he becomes increasingly fixated on preserving mementos and objects associated with their relationship. Every night, he visits her family for dinner and starts stealing little things from their house, ranging from teaspoons, hairpins and cigarette butts. Over the decades, these accumulate to thousands of little items/memories.
But Pamuk doesn’t stop there. He went ahead and actually opened a real museum with all the items Kemal had carried off over the years in the novel. An entrance ticket is printed in the novel’s final pages, allowing readers free entrance to the Museum of Innocence in the Cukurcuma neighbourhood.
For those who have read it, visiting the Museum of Innocence will likely be the highlight of your Istanbul itinerary.
Contributed by De Wet of Museum of Wander
Mumbai: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Shantaram is the story of Lin, a convict who escapes prison in Australia and ends up living in Mumbai, India. Lin becomes embedded in the underworld of the Mumbai mafia, all the while looking for love and a purpose in life. It’s a real page turner, very loosely based on the author’s experiences.
The city of Mumbai comes alive in Shantaram and is a central character to the story. The author lived in Mumbai and writes about the city as only an insider could.
Mumbai is already fascinating and well worth a visit, but after reading Shantaram you will be inspired to see Mumbai in a new way. Sites like the Taj Mahal Hotel, Leopold’s Cafe, and the iconic Air India building are already well known, but after finishing the book you’ll want to visit the more off the beaten path locations mentioned. Most memorable are the haunting and atmospheric Afghan Church, the Haji Ali mosque which is only accessible a few hours a day, vibrant Sassoon Dock and the walk along the Mumbai sea wall from Gateway of India to the Radio Club.
Many of the places mentioned in Shantaram are located in the Colaba area of Mumbai, the southernmost section of the city. There are many Shantaram tours available, but all of these sites are easily found and accessible on your own.
Contributed by Suzanne of Suzanne Wanders Delhi
Thailand: The Beach by Alex Garland
The Beach by Alex Garland is a thrilling tale that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through Thailand’s exotic landscapes, including the fictional island of Koh Phi Phi. This captivating adventure novel tells the story of Richard, a young traveler searching for authenticity who discovers a mysterious hidden paradise.
Reading this book before venturing to Thailand is an excellent idea to soak up the magic of these places and to be ready to set off and discover the wonders of Thailand.
First, The Beach offers a fascinating insight into Thailand’s little-known places, encouraging travelers to explore beyond the traditional tourist destinations. The book reveals secret beaches, charming local restaurants, and off-the-beaten-track activities such as a night under the stars or a hike through the jungle, offering an authentic and memorable experience. Indeed, the book encourages people to interact with the locals, discover their culture, and participate in traditional celebrations.
The most striking aspect of this novel is how the island of Koh Phi Phi becomes a character. Garland describes the lush landscapes, secluded beaches, and crystal-clear waters with striking accuracy, creating an immersive atmosphere that makes the reader feel transported there.
Contributed by Victoria of Guide Your Travel
Best Fiction Travel Books Set in Europe
Barcelona: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
As soon as I finished the last chapter of Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind, I immediately got on Google flights and searched for tickets to Barcelona.
In The Shadow of the Wind, Daniel, the son of widowed bookseller, happens upon the last copy in existence of a book by Julián Carax. Daniel falls in love with Carax’s writing, but his efforts to find more books by the same author takes him on a harrowing, unexpected adventure through Barcelona.
While this novel is anything but realistic, Zafón transports readers to the Spanish city in 1945. You’ll follow main character Daniel through Barcelona’s passageways, shops, churches, and hilltop mansions. In fact, Zafón depicts Barcelona in such specific detail that you can actually go on The Shadow of the Wind walking tours which take you to places like the Church of Santa Maria del Mar, Els Quatre Gats Café, Baixada de la Llibreteria and even the real-life locations of the novel’s fictional bookshops.
Even if you’re not a fan of gothic novels (I’m not), if you’re headed to Barcelona soon, give The Shadow of the Wind a try. I promise that Zafón’s haunting descriptions of the Spanish city will stay with you.
Eastern Europe: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
For anyone who loves historical fiction mixed with a dash of gothic thriller, The Historian will sweep you away to Eastern Europe in a modern retelling of the vampire myth. The plot centers around the idea that Vlad the Impaler – Dracula himself – never actually died, and follows three different characters through different time periods across Europe as they try to discern the truth.
You won’t get tips on where to stay or eat from this book, but the rich descriptions of places like Romania and Bulgaria; Budapest and Istanbul will transport you. From ancient academic libraries in Istanbul to monasteries in Bulgaria to scenes in communist Hungary, this book uses place and history as an ancillary character.
While most of the plot takes place in Europe in the 1950s and 1970s, the majority of the places the author richly describes still exist today – and this book was the reason my first trip to Europe included Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria!
The history and folklore in this story are well-researched, and the sometimes-chilling addition of the potentially-undead makes it a really fun read. Just beware that you, too, may find yourself with a desire to see places like Wallachia, the Hagia Sophia, or Rila Monastery after reading this book.
Contributed by Amanda of A Dangerous Business Travel Blog
France: Languedoc Triology by Kate Mosse
Kate Mosse’s Languedoc Triology consists of three historical fiction novels that intertwine the past and present with elements of mystery and adventure: Labyrinth, Sepulchre, and Citadel. The rich history of Carcassonne comes to life through Mosse’s vivid descriptions of the French setting and intricate architecture, making the medieval city a character of its own in the books.
Despite the books’ historical setting, visiting modern day Carcassonne will make you feel like you stepped back in time the same way Mosse’s writing transports you through time. The city is known for its stone wall fortifications and fairytale-like architecture. Mosse even includes a walking guide at the end of Labyrinth to take you to all the key sites that inspired her writing.
You can explore the cobblestone streets of the Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Chateau Comtal to learn more about the history and legends of the city. Another famous landmark mentioned in the books is Pont Vieux. This pedestrian bridge provides picturesque views of the fortified city and is a great spot for a sunset stroll between the old and new city.
Carcassonne is the perfect destination for readers who enjoy Mosse’s enchanting stories and want to experience history first-hand.
Contributed by Melissa of Mountains and Mahals
Greece: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Ireland: Lion of Ireland by Morgan Llywelyn
Lion of Ireland by Morgan Llywelyn is an inspirational, fictionalized account of the life of Irish High King Brian Boru, a beloved hero who banished the Viking invaders from Ireland for the last time. As you read Lion of Ireland, you’re sure to plant the seeds for an epic Irish adventure!
If you’re a fan of things that are old and ancient, this is a must read. The book is a wonderful mix of fact and folklore. As you read about the rolling green hills traveled by the King, you’ll start longing to visit the Emerald Isle. Happily, there are plenty of sites from the King’s realm you can still see today.
For example, no Ireland itinerary is complete without a visit to the Rock of Cashel, the seat of the ancient Kings of Munster. Boru ruled Ireland from a fortress atop this hill. After reading this book, you’ll also want to plan a trip to the Hill of Tara, the ancient ceremonial site where the rulers of Ireland were “crowned.” Visit the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey, located in Killarney National Park, where Boru studied as a youth.
Contributed by Angie of We’re Not In Kansas Anymore
Naples: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
For a page-turning series that you won’t want to put down (except to book flights to Italy), look no further than Elena Ferrante’s captivating My Brilliant Friend series.
Told across four volumes, My Brilliant Friend catalogs the intense, lifelong friendship between Raffaella (Lila) Cerulla and Elena Greco, starting with the women’s upbringings in a very poor and isolated part of Naples in the mid-20th century.
After meeting in elementary school, the girls’ fates diverge significantly: despite both characters being intensely academically gifted, only Elena is able to pursue her education into adolescence and beyond, while Lila is prevented from doing so by economic and cultural circumstances. The consequences of this, for each woman individually as well as for their relationship, spin out for decades.
Exploring themes of friendship, family, ambition, feminism, and more, the series also brings to light 20th-century Italy in a vivid way, from political debates (fascism, communism, and beyond are more than academic considerations for many characters) to dazzling views of the Mediterranean Sea enjoyed from the island of Ischia.
While the city of Naples, from its poorest neighborhoods to its shopping districts to its food, is a central heartbeat of the series, the Amalfi Coast, Ischia, Pisa, Florence, Milan, and more are also featured.
To understand Italy’s–and especially Naples’–cultural background before visiting, My Brilliant Friend does a phenomenal job of contextualizing recent history, while also including spellbinding descriptions that will leave you anxious to hop on a plane and bite into your first sfogliatella.
Contributed by Kate of Our Escape Clause
Paris: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
If you enjoy reading mystery novels and are considering a trip to the French capital, a must-read is Dan Brown’s highly acclaimed novel, The Da Vinci Code! The story begins in the heart of Paris, following Robert Langdon as he endeavors to solve a mysterious murder that occurs within the Louvre Museum.
While the premise might sound like a typical murder mystery, what sets The Da Vinci Code apart is the skillful and deliberate manner in which Brown blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction. Brown also captivates his readers by delving into the more enigmatic aspects of religion, challenging established norms and authority.
Simultaneously, he immerses readers in his world through engaging puzzles, intriguing facts, and historical insights of several famous landmarks, including the Louvre, Church of Saint-Sulpice, Champs-Élysées, and other places across Europe.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Paris, be sure to check out The Da Vinci Code! It makes exploring the city feel like you’re stepping into Dan Brown’s world and uncovering hidden secrets.
Contributed by Kristin of Global Travel Escapades
Tuscany, Italy: The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore
The Temptation of Gracie takes place in Tuscany, Italy and makes you long to travel there and experience its romantic and vivid ambiance. It’s about an elderly woman who, although she lived abroad in Italy as a young woman, has not travelled much at all since then.
The story takes place partially in the present day while she’s in her late 60s, but mostly through flashbacks to when she was young, in love, and living in Tuscany. In the present day, although it’s been 40 years since Gracie has set foot in Italy, she decides (to the surprise of her family and friends) that she is going on a tour to Italy to learn how to cook Italian food. Given that her family and friends have never known her to do anything adventurous, this comes as a surprise to them.
The beautiful Tuscan town and countryside in the book is so vividly described that you will almost taste it, hear it and feel like you’re there. It is sure to make you crave delicious Italian foods, wines and being able to wander through cobbled roads with old buildings, and experience Italy with loved ones.
The story is about lost love, friendship, second chances, and how travel bonds us. The Tuscany region in Italy includes beautiful countryside, as well as cities like Florence and Pisa – which make a great visit for solo travellers, couples and even families with kids.
Contributed by Kristin of Tiny Footsteps Travel
Whitby, England: Dracula by Bram Stoker
Dracula by Bram Stoker is the novel which brought the idea of vampires into popular culture. Published in 1897, the novel follows lawyer Jonathan Harker as he travels to Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase an English estate. Dracula travels by sea to Whitby, England, where he preys on Harker’s fiancée. Harker joins Professor Van Helsing to find and destroy Dracula at his castle in Romania.
Whitby is a fishing town and beach resort in North Yorkshire. It has an imposing, ruined abbey on a cliff overlooking the town, which can be reached by climbing 199 stone steps up the cliff side. Bram Stoker visited Whitby and was inspired by the town. In fact a history of Romania that he picked up in Whitby’s library provided the name for his creation.
The scene where Dracula arrives in Whitby is iconic; a deserted ship crashes into Whitby’s pier and a creature resembling a large black dog leaps ashore, running towards the 199 steps and the abbey.
Whitby would be a great place to visit even without its Dracula connection, but it makes the most of its creepy reputation, with events like Whitby Goth Weekend and regular ghost tours.
Contributed by Helen of Helen on her Holidays
Best Fiction Travel Books Set in Central America
Panama: The World in Half by Cristina Henriquez
The World in Half by Cristina Henríquez is a captivating novel that tells the story of Miraflores, a young woman living in Chicago. When Miraflores discovered that her supposedly deceased father is actually alive in Panama, she secretly plans a trip there to uncover the mysteries of her family’s past.
Reading The World in Half before traveling to Panama offers readers the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the country’s history, culture, and diverse population. It provides insights into the social and political dynamics of Panama. Readers will be able to enhance their travel experience with a greater understanding of the local customs and traditions.
What sets the book apart and makes its depiction of Panama special and memorable is Henríquez’s ability to capture the country’s essence. Through her writing, readers are transported to the lush landscapes of Panama. You feel like you are immersed in its vibrant street markets, lively festivals, and in the presence of lovely, gracious local people.
Contributed by Eleanor of Elevate Your Escapes
Best Fiction Travel Books Set in North America
Alaska: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Wanna know the real reason I ended up in Alaska in winter? I read Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone the autumn before. After reading her beautiful depictions of life on the Kenai Peninsula, I knew I needed to get to Alaska asap.
In The Great Alone (which takes its name from a line from a Robert Service poem) tells the story of the Allbright family in the 1970s. Ernt Allbright, a PTSD-suffering Vietnam veteran who abuses both alcohol and women, decides to escape suburban Seattle for the wilds of Alaska. He brings his wife and 13-year-old daughter on an Alaskan adventure that includes battling the elements and each other while also learning to trust, love, and let go.
I’ve read a lot of Kristin Hannah and The Great Alone is one of her best. The novel reads a little like a love letter to Alaska. Although the novel features a fictional town, you can find the landscapes Hannah describes in The Great Alone in the Seldovia area. This tiny town is located across the bay from Homer at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula outside of Anchorage.
Cincinnati: Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
You might not expect Cincinnati’s famous Skyline chili to make an appearance in a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but Curtis Sittenfeld somehow manages to pull it off.
In Eligible, Sittenfeld transports the Darcy family to modern-day Cincinnati, OH. Mr. Bingley is a reality tv star, Mr. Darcy is Bingley’s long-suffering childhood friend, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are irresponsible parents crippled by medical debt.
As much as Eligible is a clever adaptation of the Austen classic, it’s also a bit of a love letter to Cincinnati. Cincinnati is Sittenfeld’s hometown and she’s clearly fond of it. The Bennets reside in the Hyde Park neighborhood in a decrepit Tudor House and Sittenfeld spends most of the novel giving an extensive tour of Cincinnati with stops in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, dinner dates at Orchids and Boca restaurants, and some favorite attractions like the Freedom Center and Mercantile Library.
If you’re headed to Cincinnati soon, I highly recommend this fun rom-com romp through the city!
Martha’s Vineyard: The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand
The Identicals, by Elin Hildebrand is the story of Harper and Tabitha Frost, twin sisters separated when their parents’ divorce.
Laid-back Harper grows up on Martha’s Vineyard with their father while reserved and serious Tabitha lives on Nantucket with their mother. This story about these rival sisters fits perfectly with the complicated and long-held rivalry between these two Massachusetts islands.
Elin Hildebrand has been writing about Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket for over a decade. The ease at which she incorporates local restaurants, beaches and landmarks into her stories could only be accomplished by someone who knows the island intimately.
Within the first few chapters Hildebrand manages to weave in the names and descriptions of favorite island locations. She reveals a hidden-gem beach at Cedar Tree Neck Preserve and a serene Japanese Garden on Chappaquiddick Island to escape the summer crowds. She also describes practical details like where her characters rent a car (AA Island Auto Rental) or go for a romantic sunset dinner (The Outermost Inn).
Hildebrand’s lived experience of Martha’s Vineyard, its people, and its hidden gems adds authenticity to the setting and makes the island feel like a character in its own right.
Contributed by Maria of Martha’s Vineyard Travel Tips
Mexico: Battles in the Desert by Jose Emilio Pacheco
The Battles In The Desert is one of Mexico’s most treasured books about Mexico by a Mexican author. It is set in the Colonia Roma of Mexico City in the post-WWII era of President Miguel Alemán’s rapid modernization. Battles In The Desert has been translated into multiple languages (including English), adapted into a movie, and a song by the rock band Café Tacvba.
Intermediate-level Spanish learners will enjoy reading the story in the original Spanish if they choose to do so. José Emilio Pacheco was a celebrated poet whose prose is as enjoyable as the story itself. The main character is an elementary school student named Carlos who lives in the culturally diverse Colonia Roma with his middle-class family.
There are multiple references to the Avenida Alvaro Obregón, the most famous street in the Colonia Roma that every visitor to Mexico City has to explore The story feels like a love letter to the pop culture of the era. Carlos’ mother is an extremely religious figure in his life who does not like people who are not from Jalisco. Her family is from Guadalajara and was forced to leave because of the Cristero Religious Wars.
At school, Carlos is friends with a boy named Jim who was born in the United States. Jim invites Carlos to his house one day where Carlos meets Jim’s mother Mariana. She is a beautiful 28-year-old woman who makes sandwiches for the boys with a kitchen appliance imported from the United States. Carlos quickly becomes infatuated with his friend’s mom. He skips school to tell her his feelings which bring a number of repercussions.
Battles In The Desert is one of the most common books read in Mexican middle schools. It is a part of the local popular culture and something that is easily accessible to travelers. I highly recommend reading this book before traveling to the Colonia Roma in Mexico City.
Contributed by Paul of Playas y Plazas
Michigan: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Although this lovely book by Ann Patchett begins in a gymnasium in a small New Hampshire town and spends a few years in California, the heart and soul of Tom Lake, which bounces back and forth in time, takes place in northern Michigan.
Part of it—at a fictional and idyllic summer stock theatre. And the other at a generations-old Michigan cherry farm on the shores of Lake Michigan and near Traverse City.
It is a beautiful story of love, friendship, loss, and relationships intricately woven into the play—Our Town. The main character of this book, while young, performs as Emily, the lead role, and is a natural, accidentally and briefly falling into the life of a professional actress. In the book, and later in life, she recollects her experiences and her short but intense relationship with a now famous movie star, an unknown at the time, to her three young adult daughters, all improbably home during lockdown in the summer of 2020 and helping with cherry picking.
Patchett does a masterful job of telling this gorgeous story and of conveying the startling beauty and peace of a northern Michigan in full bloom, which you will undoubtedly want to see for yourself after relishing this must-read.
Contributed by Janice of Gather and Go Travel
New York City: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn is a fun fiction book about two strangers who meet because of a notebook that one of them leaves at The Strand Bookstore in New York City’s Union Square.
Lily decides to leave a red notebook with a message in it in the stacks of books at The Strand when her family goes away for the holidays and she is alone in NYC. Dash finds the notebook, and returns it to the bookstore after completing his dare.
The characters pass the book back and forth as they wander through New York City before meeting each other in real life. Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares is a quick YA read with a sweet message and is a fun way to “see” New York City in December. The characters go to popular New York City attractions as well as to off-the-beaten path restaurants as they make their way through the city.
As this book is the first in a trilogy, fans can continue to travel with Dash and Lily as they continue in New York City during The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily and when they travel to London in Mind the Gap Dash and Lily.
Contributed by Lanie of Make More Adventures
North Carolina: Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Written by an actual zoologist, Where the Crawdads Sing depicts a murder mystery set in the marshy coast of North Carolina in the mid-1900s. The story follows Kya, a young girl living isolated in the marsh and her connection to nature. Her narrative is fragmented with flashes forward to the present-day investigation of Chase Andrew’s murder.
The setting of the marshes in North Carolina’s coast play a huge role in the book, and will bring reader’s back to a time of simple nature, before beach towns developed in popular spots on the shore. Author Delia Owens is well-aquanted with detailed descriptions of the flora and fauna in the area and does an incredible job of putting readers right into the environment with Kya.
North Carolina’s coastline is a beautiful destination for travelers looking to enjoy untouched nature. Where the Crawdads Sing depicts this soft, quiet marshland in such an alluring way, while at the same time bringing excitement and mystery through its plot.
Contributed by Michele of Adventures Abound
Seattle: Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
While most of Maria Semple’s popular novel, Where’d You Go Bernadette, is focused on planning a trip to Antarctica, I actually think this is the perfect novel to read before visiting Seattle, WA. In it, Semple tells the story of Bernadette Fox, a brilliant architect who has lost her way in the minutia of being a stay-at-home mom living in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle.
Keep in mind, this is no love letter to Seattle. Bernadette’s pretty miserable about all aspects of her life including the city where she currently resides. She makes no secret that she straight up hates the people of Seattle.
But critics often show the world in the most striking detail. The book mentions several Seattle restaurants by name include Lola and Wild Ginger. You’ll also see the city’s Chihuly sculptures through Bernadette’s eyes and visit popular Seattle tourist attractions like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.
Semple chose to use fictional emails, articles, and other correspondence rather than prose to tell the story of Where’d You Go, Bernadette. Unique and fast-paced, I definitely recommend this fiction book before you travel to the Pacific Northwest.
Best Fiction Travel Books Set in South America
Chiloe Island, Chile: Maya’s Notebook by Isabel Allende
Maya’s Notebook by Isabel Allende is a book that will introduce you to the magical mystic land of Chiloe Island, in the north of Patagonia.
The book follows Maya, a troubled young adult running away from her tumultuous life in America and settling in Chiloe Island with her grandmother. The book has two different storylines, the past and the present, introducing the land to the reader. One storyline is focused on Maya and her life, whilst the other on the rustic life in Chiloe, with its traditions, mysticism, and local beliefs.
Maya’s Notebook is a fantastic introduction to Chiloe Island. Reading it before travelling to Chiloe will help you appreciate its culture much more, and also understand the local traditions. One of these traditions is the curanto, a Mapuche cooking technique that sees meat, seafood and vegetables cooked underground. Taking part in a curanto dinner alongside the locals is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the culture of the island.
After you’ve read the book, walking on the streets of the towns in Chiloe will seem familiar. It will feel that you are part of Maya’s story.
Contributed by Joanna of The World In My Pocket
Best Fiction Travel Books Set in the Pacific Islands
Hawaii: Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes
This novel is about three generations of women in Hawaii. In Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes, Hulali is a famous hula teacher, while Laka, her daughter, abandoned her family after winning the Miss Aloha Hula contest. The novel begins when Laka returns with her baby daughter, Hi`i in tow. As Hi`i grows, she wants to win Miss Aloha Hula more than anything, just like her mother did. But her relationship with her family and with Hawaii itself is complicated.
This is a book about community and belonging. It delves into the history of Hawaii, and it’s one of the great books to read before you go to Hawaii because it will make you more conscious of the nuances of Hawaii’s culture and history while also helping you be a more respectful tourist.
Contributed by Erin of Flying Off the Bookshelf
Wrap-up: Best Fiction Travel Books To Read Before Your Next Trip
Hopefully this round-up of favorite novels helps transport you around the globe in more ways than one.
I’ve heard it said that a library card is the best passport you could ever have. Pair that library card with an actual passport and we’ve really got it made! Personally, I think reading is all the more rewarding when we first let a book transport us to a new place in the world and then later get to see that location with our own eyes.
I’m curious if a fiction book has ever inspired your travels. If so, please let me know what book you read and where you traveled to. Maybe we’ll do a round-up of favorite fiction books to inspire our travels every year!
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