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There are some basic things you should know about me as the author of this post: I love travel; I love writing about travel (lucky for me I get to write about it for Collette!); and I love reading stories that allow me to travel in my imagination and that can deepen my experience whilst really exploring a new corner of the world. (There are other things, too, but we can get to that another time…)
So, I’ve been excited to see what Collette’s seasoned travellers would recommend when we asked them about their favourite trip-inspiring reads. It’s becoming my custom to bring two books with me on big trips: a trusted guidebook and a fun read tied to the destination. Now I know which books I can grab when I finally make it to Paris again or start planning for a tour in Italy. For our fifth installment of Collette Reads, it’s the books from your must-read lists fueling our literary wanderlust.
Without further ado, I bring you YOUR adventure-inspiring book picks as I imagine them presented at the Travel-Obsessed Book Awards. (That’s probably not a real thing, but it should be!)
The Category: Continuing Adventures
Just like a great trip, sometimes a book’s so good you wish it would never end. Thank goodness for enthralling series set in faraway places that keep the adventures going.
Nic Costa Series by David Hewson
Rome, Italy
“David Hewson’s Nic Costa books inspired Italy travels, especially Rome. I stayed a few extra days to find more of the locations from the books…” – Jackie M.
Commissario Brunetti Series (a.k.a. Inspector Brunetti) by Donna Leon
Venice, Italy
“Donna Leon’s Inspector Brunetti police mystery series set in Venice Italy, put that city high on my bucket list.” – Kendra P.
The Category: Prolific Author
We received multiple votes for James Michener’s works, and there are many. The author is best known for multi-generational historical fiction.
The Source by James A. Michener
(Israel/Palestine)
The Covenant by James A. Michener
(South Africa)
Iberia by James A. Michener
(Spain)
“[The Source and The Covenant] inspired me to be interested in the history and politics of those countries and to visit them.” – Susan M.
The Category: The Love Letter
When you love something, you let it… be the center of your story. I’ve said this about the film Midnight in Paris, too – sometimes a story is an unapologetic open love letter to the idea of a place. If you want to fall in love with Paris (and why wouldn’t you?), try…
Lunch in Paris, A Love Story with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard
Paris, France
“I loved the beautiful and delicious food in France. In search of a cookbook, I found an autobiography, travel log and cookbook all in one.” – T. R.
The Category: Intriguing History
It’s the truth. Part of travel is feeding our fascination with history – visiting the spot where something went down. For Savannah, Georgia, this book’s account of a murder case contributes to the draw for droves of curious visitors.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Savannah, GA
“My Collette trip to Savannah inspired me to get back to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Now I am inspired to revisit the city and see more…” – Naomi B.
That concludes this edition of Collette Reads. Thank you to all who chimed in to share books that have sparked your adventures!
