Reading Lists
I first and foremost love reading.
When I travel, I look for places that remind me of stories. Whether I’ve read about them, or seen them in a movie, I love real life filming locations, fairy tale destinations, and novel inspirations.
With that in mind, I always have reading lists (and watch lists) before I travel somewhere.
So here are all my book recommendations in one place, for your convenience. Or feel free to peruse my travel destinations for ideas of places to visit based on the best books to read and movies to watch!
Destination Reading Lists
Literary Travel
Did You Know??
2025 marks Jane Austen’s 250th birthday.
That makes this the perfect year to plan a trip to England!
My Personal Book Recommendations
If you don’t have a particular destination in mind, or you just want a good fairy tale, here are some books I’ve read recently that I highly recommend!
Winter Tales
I picked up this gorgeously illustrated children’s book at a local bookstore on Nantucket.
I was mesmerized by the illustrations, and excited by the fact that the stories come from all over the world!
It is every bit as magical as it looks. I love the images, the stories, and the glimpses into other cultures. It is perfect for a cozy winter night.
Emily Wilde’s Encylopaedia of Faeries
To be honest… I bought this book because it had a pretty cover (or so I thought, until they released the special editions!!).
But it turns out I loved it (and the 2 sequels)!
It takes place in the early 1900’s, in a fictional world where the study of faeries is an actual field at Cambridge University.
The books follow a Cambridge Dryadologist across the world, to Norway, Austria and Ireland, in search of faerie lore.
They are fun and whimsical; a perfect read with a cuppa tea by the fire.
The Christmas Bookshop
The Christmas Bookshop takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland, which is probably the main reason I fell in love with it.
It’s sort of a Hallmark-y book, but a bit more edgy and authentic. And absolutely filled with images of a magical Edinburgh at Christmastime!
- Bonus: There’s even a sequel, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop, where they film a Hallmark movie at the bookshop. I haven’t read it yet, but I bet it was like that time I was in a Hallmark movie!
Anything by Bill Bryson
I’ve recently been reading several Bill Bryson books that I picked up at used bookstores, and I love them.
Despite being written decades ago, the insight and humor in them is still relevant. And the occasional complaint about the outrageous price of a $30 hotel room only adds to the amusement.
Current Reading List
My husband and I are planning to go to Germany (and France!) for Christmas this December.
Naturally, I have a list of books to read and movies to watch before then.
Here are some of the titles on my current reading list:
- Not So Happily Ever After: The Life of King Ludwig the II
- All Quiet on the Western Front
- The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales
- The Sweet Smell of Christmas
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- Les Mis
- A Tale of Two Cities
- The Scarlet Pimpernel
Any Book Recommendations?
If you have any suggestions to add to my reading list (or watch list), please feel free to share them with me!
