I have always been a voracious reader, and the greatest gift I was ever given was an adult library card at an early age with absolutely no censorship over what I read. (thanks, Mom!)
This allowed me to experience the entire world while still living in my small hometown. (This was before the internet, ya’ll).
Since we’ve been in South America, I’ve been virtually traveling all over the world through the books that are still a very big part of my life, and Warren and I have started reading the same books for the first time in our relationship - it’s a built-in book club in our hotel room.
These are not travel books per se, just books set in places we’d like to visit someday.
That made us think you might like to read some of the books we’ve enjoyed so much. In fact, we’re even open to the idea of a virtual book club if enough people are interested.
As you decide to curl up and relax over your holidays, pick up one of these books for yourself or for a friend who likes to travel. All of them have been out for a while, so if you are saving for a trip you can easily get them from your library or used bookstore. If you buy them from Amazon through our link, you will be contributing to our book fund (thanks in advance).
And if you are interested in a virtual bookclub, let us know in the comments. You’ll have to bring your own wine, but we’ll still have a good time!
We have created a page on our site with the books we have enjoyed, separated by the continent they take place. Feel free to browse through the list here.
About Betsy
Glad to know the “international ” library card is working for you! Fun to look through the list - chuckled when I saw Love In The Time of Cholera on the list….I remember the book club where I had picked this one … wasn’t the most popular choice ever….but it was sure a lively conversation!
Oooh, I’m interested in the virtual book club. That sounds like fun!
If you happen to come across “The Power of One”, give it a try. It’s set in South Africa and follows the journey of a mixed-race boy during the time of apartheid. My ESL teacher gave me a copy of that when I was in high school and it’s still one of my favorite books.
What a great idea. I have read many of the books on your list, and The Poisonwood Bible, 100 Years of Solitude, and Love in the Time of Cholera are on my Top 10 list.
My husband and I tend to have different taste in fiction, but we do overlap to some degree. It’s so much fun to read a book together, or pass it on to the other and discuss it. When I was reading The Poisonwood Bible, I was talking about it so much he read it when I finished and also loved it. He is just now reading 100 years of solitude after I’ve been talking about it the entire time we’ve been together (almost 18 years). One of the best things we’ve ever done is read the John Updike “Rabbit” series together - he was always one book ahead of me and we were talking about them for months. It was so stimulating.
I would love to be part of a virtual book club. Our physical book club folded this year after a great 9 year run. I have no trouble bringing my own wine.
Hi! I’m really enjoying your blog. I live in Outback Australia and spend a lot of time reading of other places too.
Our local library is very small (thank goodness for online shopping!!) but I would be very interested in a virtual book club.
Looking forward to reading about the rest of your travels.
Sam
I must agree with you.. I’ve witnessed different people and diverse culture through books. I’ve been enjoying every moment reading my books.
Hi, everyone. Please excuse my tardy response…they DO have internet here, but electricity is not always available!
I like the idea of a virtual book club, too. Let me think on how best to do that and we’ll launch it in the new year. It will be fun discovering new places with all of you through the books we read.
I love to read, and to travel! I also would be very into the ‘virtual book club’ idea, particularly as I can’t seem to find an actual book club to bel0ng to!
I just purchased one of your recommended books… My Dream of You - by Nuala O’Faolain… through your link. Give me anything about Ireland, and I’ll read it! Traveled there in 2009 and am longing to go back!
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I LOVE the idea of a virtual book club! I live in a town that, while not tiny, does not have any book clubs that I’m aware of, and even if it did, I’m rarely able to find people who are interested in reading the things I like to read. Two of my favorite things are travelling and reading, and when I can merge them, its like heaven. I’m enjoying reading about the fabulous time you two are havng on your trip!