So you’re about to go on holiday to [insert lovely holiday destination that will make your friendly neighbourhood booksellers quite jealous]. Maybe you’d like to read a book set in that place? If so, check out these recommendations for your trip to…
Croatia
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
A beautiful novel set in post-war Yugoslavia, exploring themes of storytelling and healing.
The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna
A powerful novel about the indelible effects of war and the memories which stir beneath the silence of a quiet Croatian town.
Cyprus
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
This beautifully-written novel set during the Cyprus Civil War explores family, love, and heritage.
The Olive Tree by Lucinda Riley
A love story set in Cyprus. What more could you ask for a holiday read?
France
La Vie by John Lewis-Stempel
This lovely memoir documents a year spent in the French countryside. It's a lovely and cosy read!
Chocolat by Joanne Harris
This lovely story set in a small French village is full of wonderful characters and (of course) chocolate.
Greece
The Figurine by Victoria Hislop
A sunny and summery read set in Athens. It's all about archeology, culture, and family.
Three Summers by Margarita Liberaki
A novel about three teenage sisters growing up in the Greek countryside.
Italy 
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
Set in Sicily around 400 BC, this book is funny and a bit mad, all about two men putting on a play in a quarry.
A Room with a View by E. M. Forster
A classic set in Florence. It explores the English tourist abroad and whether one can authentically experience a place as a tourist.
Portugal
Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier
This is a philosophical mystery set in Lisbon under the dictatorship.
The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel
Made up of three loosely-connected stories, this book is (as the title suggests) set in the high mountains of Portugal!
Spain
Milk Teeth by Jessica Andrews
Although this novel starts in England, it spends much of its time in sunny, sultry Barcelona. It’s beautifully written and mesmerising!
Red Queen by Juan Gomez-Jurado
This is a phenomenal crime/thriller set in Madrid.
Browse the full collection here:
