Books Set in Switzerland
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Switzerland twice in the past two years, and here are ten books I’ve read that take place in some part of that beautiful country. They capture something of the history, culture, or literary inspiration in landscapes of mountains, clear blue lakes, and bell-bedecked cows. I organized this list by year of publication, and it has books for children, travel memoir, and mystery.
Books that Take You to Scotland
Near the end of 2023 I decided to return to picking a monthly reading theme, and for January 2024 that theme was books set in Scotland or written by Scottish authors. Here are a few books I’ve read over the years that transport you to the land of kilts, bagpipes, and Highland mist.
5 Books with an Ominous Tone
Many people enjoy reading more mysterious or spooky books around Halloween, and this book list is inspired by my reading Thomas Hardy for the first time earlier this year. The title—The Distracted Preacher and Other Tales—initially made me laugh; I definitely wasn’t expecting what I encountered. This collection of short stories and novellas surprised me, and I thought it would be a fantastic choice for October. Its ominous tone reminded me of a few other literary novels.
Books that Evoke an English Summer’s Day
While it’s true that English summers can have their share of rain and cold, there are also sure to be many picture-perfect days of warmth, buttercups, and grazing sheep. It’s the perfect time to visit a country house and have tea in the bursting-with-color gardens; take a long walk on a public footpath; or spend the day exploring a new market town or village.
Top 10 Books of 2022
t’s the beginning of a new year, and so like any reader I feel compelled to look back over the previous year’s reading and pick out my favorite books. I started out with a list of twenty-five titles and then made myself narrow it down to ten.
Four Books Featuring Expats in Paris
Last year I made a list of some of my favorite books set in Paris, and today I’m recommending four more books that capture some aspect of Paris—food, diplomacy, neighborhoods—through the eyes of the expat or traveler.
Five Atmospheric Books for October
October is the perfect time for an atmospheric story especially if that atmosphere includes a little mystery, a little magic, and a little, dare I say it, murder? Here are five books I’ve read in recent years that feel steeped in the perfect atmosphere for fall reading.
Five Books For Spring that Celebrate Nature
I love reading books set in the current season and especially those that evoke that season well. Last year I put together a list of five books that felt like springtime either because they were set in that season or they evoked a sense of new life and new beginnings. This list is a little different, because with the exception of The Wind in the Willows, these are mostly pure nature writing and memoir, and they all take place in England and Scotland.
Five Favorite Books Set at Christmas
Christmas scenes in any book always feel cozy, and it’s especially enjoyable to read them during the season when I’m craving that cozy feeling.
Books To Read Before Visiting Rome
Before visiting Rome in October 2019, I picked out three books to read before my trip. I like choosing books from different genres and time periods with different points of view.
10 Books with Summer Adventures
Summer is a season for adventures, and this book list includes stories of children, teenagers, young adults, and senior citizens choosing their own or being accidentally caught up in them.
10 Books Set in Paris
There are so many different books you could read in preparation for a trip to Paris. I was a little surprised that most of my recent favorites are memoir/biography and non-fiction, but this list also has four novels set in the City of Lights.
15 Books about Books
People who love reading usually also love a good book about books—stories about libraries, bookshops, or my favorite, inspired-by-a-classic-reads. Here are a few I’ve read in recent years.
9 Books with Themes of Death and Resurrection
With the approaching of Easter weekend in mind, here are a few books that explore death and resurrection:
A Book of Poetry for Lent
The poems themselves are beautiful and leave me with at least one line I find particularly meaningful. In addition to each day’s poetry, Guite writes about each poem, explaining why he included it in a collection focused on Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness and the Christian’s life seen as pilgrimage.
Books to Welcome Spring
The metaphorical calendar page is about to turn over to March, and the signs of early spring are visible in France: the first daffodils are up, the Japanese cherry blossoms have opened on their spindly branches, and the sun has been shining almost all week. It really lifts the spirits after the grey and rainy winter, and I started thinking about books that remind me of spring.
Books in Snowy Climes
If you’re like me and can only experience a snowy climate through the pages of a good book, I thought I’d share some books I read in the last few years that really immersed me in the snowy weather.
Favorite Yorkshire Books
When I think about books set in Yorkshire, there are a few that stand out as really evoking the essence of the county and who have been around long enough to find a place in the cultural lore.