OUR PICKS: EUROPEAN READS

PLAN A EUROPE VISION BOARD WITH OUR STAFF PICKS 

Feeling unsure about where to spend your next European vacation? Our staff has your back! 
With the help of a curated reading list featuring favourites from yours truly, discover Europe’s hidden gems alongside your protagonists. Next, turn said fiction into a reality of your own by planning your next trip with our travel guide.

ALL IN FOR ENGLAND

The A.B.C. Murders, by Agatha Christie

We begin our story in the bustling city of London, where the ever so analytical super sleuth Hercule Poirot catches wind of a terrible tragedy bound to occur in a nearby town. Put your detective skills at work and uncover the truth behind several serial killings happening throughout the U.K in Agatha Christie’s acclaimed mystery novel, The A.B.C Murders. 

The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling

For fans of the fantasy genre, it doesn’t get any better than the Harry Potter series. Featuring the perfect blend of magic, mayhem and self-actualization, journey alongside Harry and his troupe of companions as they overcome all kinds of obstacles and adventures before unlocking each other’s truest potential. Once you’re done, watch the films and catch glimpses of shots taken in London, Scotland, Wales and beyond!

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

Turbulent relationships and hierarchal differences cause a series of upsets and complications in the classic Pride and Prejudice, by British novelist Jane Austen. Set mostly throughout the English countryside, this novel is globally known and revered by scholars from all over the world for its depiction of two people attempting to curb their biases and embrace true love. 

EXPAND YOUR IRISH LUCK

Normal People, by Sally Rooney

Class differences make a comeback in Normal People, a story about two young people navigating their feelings while transitioning from secondary school to college. As teenagers in County Sligo, Ireland, the pair start dating but must confront divides caused by their respective reputations—a problem that follows them to college life in Dublin.

When you’re done, keep a box of tissues nearby and check out the 12-episode TV series based on the book!

The Sea, by John Banville

In The Sea, author John Banville tells the fictional story of Irishman Max Morden and his attempts at coming to terms with the passing of his wife and family over the years. The story takes place by Ireland’s seaside, where Morden encounters different types of people who provide insight about his current and past dilemmas and who unknowingly help him find reconciliation.

Brooklyn, by Colm Tóibín

Colm Tóibín tells a beautiful tale of immigration and rediscovering the longing familiarity of your first home in Brooklyn. Eilis Lacey decides to return home to County Wexford, Ireland and rediscovers her love for her homeland as well as those residing there despite having established a life in New York. Ultimately, Lacey must choose which path is right for her.

FEEL YOUR FEELINGS IN FRANCE 

Taste: My Life Through Food, by Stanley Tucci

Foodies, we’ve got you covered thanks to actor and author Stanley Tucci, who shares his passion for cuisine and his own reflections about food and how it has influenced him in Taste: My Life Through Food. This memoir details the life of the gourmand both in and out of the kitchen and recounts anecdotes from his life involving dishes from France, Italy, his native New York and more.

The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah

Set during the Second World War, The Nightingale places two sisters in a fictional town near Paris during the Nazi invasion of France. Amidst the chaos of war, they jump over all kinds of obstacles to keep their family and themselves alive while being faced with impossible decisions. Touching on themes of survival, freedom, love and resilience, this bestseller is one you won’t be able to put down. 

The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas

If you’re looking for a lengthier read set in key French regions like Paris and Marseille, then you’ll want to get your hands on a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. This literary classic was published over 175 years ago and is famous for many things, one of them being the limitations of the criminal justice system that let protagonist Edmond Dantès’ enemies slip through the cracks repeatedly. 

SAY ‘SÍ’ TO SPAIN 

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

This fantastical tale by Paulo Coelho depicts the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who seeks a hidden treasure that appeared to him in a dream. From Spanish pastures to the African desert, Santiago feels compelled to travel across different parts of the world to reach his goal. As such, he encounters some interesting characters and hurdles along the way. 

The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway

As the first novel published by the accomplished Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises focuses on two travelers who make their way through the Camino de Santiago pathway in Spain to watch a series of bullfights. Not only is the novel recognized as one of Hemingway’s most important pieces of fiction; many of its characters are based off people who were part of the author’s prestigious circle.  

Obabakoak, by Bernardo Atxaga

Written by the Basque writer Bernardo Atxaga, Obabakoak gives readers an account of life in the exotic and remote village of Obaba located in the Basque country. From schoolchildren to intellectuals within the community, readers are given the opportunity to learn about Basque culture and its people’s autonomy, which is often overshadowed by its more populous neighbours: France and Spain. 

GET GRECIAN IN GREECE 

Circe, by Madeline Miller

In the land of some of history’s oldest and most famous storytellers, there’s bound to be mention of gods and demigods. That is exactly what readers can expect from Circe, an adaptation of Greek myths written by Madeline Miller in which the sorceress Circe is banished by Zeus to the island of Aiaia, where she encounters numerous figures and gets roped into various adventures. 

The Girl Under the Olive Tree, by Leah Fleming

During the Second World War, English Red Cross nurse Penelope George was once trapped on the Greek isle of Crete under German occupation in The Girl Under the Olive Tree. On the sixtieth anniversary since it was freed, she feels compelled to return to the island where she relives old experiences, reunites with old friends, and grows closer to her Greek heritage.  

The Odyssey, by Homer

The Greek epic poem The Odyssey follows the adventures of Odysseus and his crew on their 10-year-long journey home to the Greek island of Ithaca after the Trojan War. From spellbound plant eaters, to Cyclopes, to deadly Siren songs, Odysseus faces one trial after another; stumbling blocks that he is determined to trump in the name of love for his one and only, Penelope. 

IT GETS BETTER IN ITALY 

Call Me by Your Name, by André Aciman

A six-week romance erupts into flames by the Italian Riviera when a teenage boy’s family welcomes a summer guest into their home in Call Me by Your Name. What seemingly begins as a regular sublet soon transforms into a passionate love affair that has taken the world by storm, especially following the movie adaptation of the book starring the talented Timothée Chalamet. 

One Italian Summer, by Rebecca Serle

Katy Sliver is in desperate need of a change of scenery following the unexpected death of her mother in One Italian Summer. She decides to go on the Italian vacation that the mother-daughter duo had always dreamed of doing together. However, while visiting the Amalfi Coast, Katy begins to come to terms with living without her mother by her side for the very first time. 

From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home, by Tembi Locke

Actress and author Tembi Locke shares a personal story of love at first sight in From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home. After meeting a professional chef named Saro in Florence with whom she built a beautiful life, circumstances beyond their control put their dreams to a halt. With her daughter, she decides to travel to Sicily and finds solace among family members from her husband’s side. 

What’s next?  

Thinking of travelling to Europe? Discover our Europe tour packages and our collection of cruise deals to enhance your next vacation.