I’m traveling internationally this year to several places I’ve never been, and I’d love to read books set in—or deeply connected to—those locations while I’m there (also open to movie/series suggestions but that is not the purpose of this reddit group- lol)
I tend to prefer non-fiction and historical fiction, especially character-driven stories that explore interesting people, lesser-known events, or very specific cultural details. I’m also particularly interested in narratives that center marginalized or Indigenous communities, or examine customs and traditions that are shifting across generations. I primarily use audiobooks, but also read print and ebooks.
I’m looking for recommendations for:
- Japan (Tokyo/Kyoto)
- Germany (Berlin/Munich/Nuremberg)
- Austria (Salzburg/Vienna)
- The Netherlands (Amsterdam)
- Norway (Bergen/Molde/Olden/Ålesund/fjords)
For reference, I’ve enjoyed authors and books like Kristin Hannah, Khaled Hosseini, The Joy Luck Club, and The Poisonwood Bible—stories that feel immersive, human, and place-specific.
One note: I do appreciate history, including war-related topics, but I’m feeling somewhat saturated by heavier global events right now. The books don’t need to be light, but I’d prefer to avoid anything heavily centered on genocide or prolonged explicit violence.
Thanks for helping me find some great reads!
by Iowayankee20
1 Comment
Your travel list looks amazing! I did similar trip couple years ago and reading books set in those places really made everything feel more connected.
For Japan I’d suggest looking into some contemporary fiction that deals with family dynamics and generational changes – there’s lot of great stuff that shows how traditional customs are evolving in modern Tokyo and Kyoto without being too heavy. The way authors capture small details about daily life there is incredible and will definitely enhance your experience walking through those cities.
For Germany and Austria, there’s some fascinating historical fiction about everyday people during different periods that isn’t focused in war but still gives you deep sense of place and culture. I found books about artists and musicians in Vienna particularly engaging since you can actually visit many places mentioned while you’re there.
Netherlands has some beautiful stories about community and identity that really capture the atmosphere of Amsterdam beyond just the tourist spots. And for Norway, anything that explores the relationship between people and that incredible landscape will probably hit different when you’re actually seeing those fjords yourself.
The fact you mentioned audiobooks is perfect for this kind of travel reading – being able to listen while walking around or taking trains between cities adds whole other layer to the experience.