Introduction: Wanderlust Through Pages
Books Set in Places I Want to Visit.
Some people collect postcards. I collect stories.
For as long as I can remember, books have been my passport. They’ve taken me to snow-covered streets in Russia, sun-soaked markets in Morocco, and cobbled alleys in Paris—all without leaving my couch. And while I’ve yet to visit many of these places in real life, I already feel like I know them through the novels I’ve read.
What’s so magical about reading stories set in distant places is how they awaken your wanderlust. Suddenly, you’re craving Turkish coffee in Istanbul or picturing the Northern Lights dancing over Reykjavik. Below, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite books that transported me to places I now have to visit.
Table of Contents
1. Paris, France
Book: The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
Paris has been romanticized in almost every medium imaginable—but The Paris Library added a new layer of depth to my love for the city.
Based on the true story of the American Library in Paris during World War II, this novel brings the City of Light to life through the eyes of librarians, book lovers, and those who resisted Nazi control. It’s not just about Paris as a beautiful backdrop; it’s about how culture and community thrived even during war.
Reading it made me want to stroll through the Latin Quarter, sip espresso near the Seine, and maybe even get lost in the endless corridors of Shakespeare and Company.
2. Kyoto, Japan
Book: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
I read this book years ago, and Kyoto has lived rent-free in my imagination ever since.
Set in pre- and post-war Japan, Memoirs of a Geisha paints a hauntingly beautiful picture of Kyoto’s Gion district. The storytelling is immersive, and the attention to cultural detail—from the tea ceremonies to the inner world of the geisha—feels both educational and intimate.
Now every time I see cherry blossoms, I imagine them floating through narrow streets lined with wooden machiya houses. I dream of experiencing hanami (cherry blossom viewing) by the Philosopher’s Path, just as the characters once did.
3. Venice, Italy
Book: The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
Venice always felt a bit like a fairytale in my mind—until I read John Berendt’s nonfiction masterpiece.
Set after the devastating fire at the La Fenice opera house, The City of Falling Angels takes readers behind the mask of Venice. It’s not just gondolas and romantic canals; it’s eccentric residents, old-money drama, and history lurking around every corner.
This book made me want to see the “real” Venice—the one beyond the Instagram-perfect views. I want to wander aimlessly, eat cicchetti in quiet bars, and get wonderfully lost in its labyrinth of alleys.
4. Istanbul, Turkey
Book: The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak
Few books have made me fall in love with a city I’ve never been to quite like this one.
Elif Shafak’s The Bastard of Istanbul is a powerful blend of family saga and political commentary, deeply rooted in the soul of Istanbul. The smells, the sounds, the food—it all leaps off the page. The city becomes a character in its own right.
After reading it, I started looking up flights to Istanbul just to imagine myself standing on the Galata Bridge or wandering through the Grand Bazaar. I want to taste Turkish delight from a local vendor and sip strong tea by the Bosphorus.
5. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Book: The Tango Singer by Tomás Eloy MartĂnez
Tango, mystery, and literary obsession—The Tango Singer was like stepping into a sultry dream.
Set in Buenos Aires during a political crisis, this novel follows an American academic on the hunt for an elusive tango singer whose music can’t be recorded. As he navigates the city’s tango clubs, decaying mansions, and haunted streets, you get a deeply textured view of Argentine life.
It made me want to dance. Not just literally (though I now secretly want to take tango lessons), but emotionally—because Buenos Aires feels alive with rhythm, history, and heart.
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
Book: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
This book chilled me—in the best way.
Set in 1829 Iceland, Burial Rites tells the story of a woman awaiting execution for murder. Based on real events, it’s a haunting exploration of isolation, justice, and survival.
What struck me most was how vividly the Icelandic landscape was described: cold, harsh, but also oddly beautiful. Reading it made me crave stark horizons, geothermal baths, and the eerie quiet of snow-covered plains. Reykjavik may be small, but after this book, it climbed high on my travel bucket list.
7. India – Rajasthan
Book: The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
This one felt like stepping into color.
Set in the vibrant city of Jaipur during the 1950s, The Henna Artist follows Lakshmi, a gifted woman escaping an abusive marriage to become the most sought-after henna artist to wealthy women.
The cultural richness of Rajasthan is everywhere in this novel—from the spicy foods to the intricate social rituals. I could almost smell the jasmine and hear the buzz of the markets.
Now, Jaipur is more than just a tourist destination in my mind—it’s a place I want to walk through slowly, soaking up every story the walls whisper.
8. New York City, USA
Book: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
You’d think New York City is overexposed in books, but The Goldfinch gave it a melancholic elegance I hadn’t felt before.
From museums to antique shops to hotel rooms soaked in sadness, Donna Tartt paints the city in shades of loss and beauty. As Theo drifts through NYC, carrying his trauma with him, you can feel the weight of the city pressing in—and offering quiet moments of wonder.
Reading it made me want to slow down in NYC. Instead of just doing the touristy things, I want to sit on a park bench, watch people, and feel the pulse of the city underneath it all.
Why Do We Crave These Bookish Journeys?
There’s something magical about books that make you fall in love with places. You might never have thought about visiting Kyoto or Istanbul or Reykjavik—but after one good novel, they suddenly become part of your dream list.
Maybe it’s because books give us a more intimate introduction to a city than any travel guide can. They don’t just show you landmarks; they let you feel the rhythm of daily life. You meet people, learn the slang, taste the food, and experience the seasons—all without booking a flight.
And when you do finally visit? It feels like coming home to somewhere you’ve already been.
Conclusion: Where Stories Lead, I’ll Follow
Books have been the starting point for many of my travel dreams. They’ve made the unfamiliar feel familiar, and the distant feel personal. Whether it’s a crumbling building in Venice or a bustling alley in Jaipur, these pages have planted seeds of curiosity I’m now eager to explore in person.
So next time you’re looking for travel inspiration, don’t just scroll through Instagram. Open a book. The stories might just lead you somewhere unforgettable.
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