Books to Cure Wanderlust

When I can’t travel, I read. These books whisk me away to far-off cities, quiet countrysides, and sun-drenched coastlines — all without leaving my couch. Whether it’s the bustle of Bangkok or the loneliness of a Brazilian street corner, each of these novels cured a little piece of my wanderlust. ✈️

Thailand

Bangkok 8 by John Burdett (2003)

This gripping crime thriller introduces Sonchai Jitpleecheep, a devout Buddhist and detective in Bangkok's Royal Thai Police. When his partner is killed in a bizarre and gruesome case involving a locked car and a deadly snake, Sonchai embarks on a quest for justice that delves deep into the city's underworld. Burdett's narrative offers a vivid portrayal of Bangkok's vibrant streets, complex social hierarchies, and spiritual nuances, providing readers with an authentic sense of Thai culture intertwined with a suspenseful plot.​

• 🐍 Tropes: exotic locale, spiritual detective, moral ambiguity, cross-cultural tensions

• 🌆 Vibes: gritty, atmospheric, culturally rich

🛍️ Perfect for: Readers seeking a thrilling mystery that doubles as a deep dive into Thai society and spirituality.

Morocco

Straight from the Horse’s Mouth by Meryem Alaoui (2020)

Set in the bustling city of Casablanca, this debut novel follows Jmiaa, a sharp-witted sex worker with big dreams and a sarcastic sense of humor. When she crosses paths with a young filmmaker who wants her to star in a movie, her life takes a dramatic turn. Moroccan author Meryem Alaoui writes with boldness and compassion, offering a rarely seen perspective of urban Moroccan life. The novel was a finalist for the Prix Goncourt and received critical acclaim for its voice and authenticity.

• 💄 Tropes: underdog heroine, personal reinvention, female friendship, gritty realism

• 🎬 Vibes: raw and hopeful, Casablanca streets, feminist lens

🛍️ Perfect for: Readers who want a humorous, unfiltered view of contemporary Morocco through the eyes of a fiercely relatable woman.

Japan

Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie (2020)

Set in post-WWII Kyoto, this sweeping debut follows Nori, a biracial girl born to a Japanese aristocrat and an African American soldier. Hidden away in her grandmother's mansion to avoid scandal, Nori endures isolation, prejudice, and longing — until her half-brother arrives, changing everything. The novel paints a lush portrait of Japan in transition, capturing both the beauty of its landscapes and the rigidity of its traditions. The writing is emotionally rich and layered with romance, resilience, and quiet rebellion.

• 💔 Tropes: forbidden love, hidden identity, coming-of-age, family secrets

• 🌸 Vibes: romantic, atmospheric, culturally immersive

🛍️ Perfect for: Readers who want an emotional journey set against the backdrop of old Kyoto — with wanderlust, romance, and social tension woven throughout.

Brazil

The Air You Breathe by Frances de Pontes Peebles (2018)

Spanning 1930s rural Brazil to the sparkling stages of Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles, this novel tells the story of two girls — Dores and Graça — whose intense friendship and musical partnership carry them through poverty, fame, and heartbreak. As one becomes a samba star and the other her songwriter and shadow, the book explores ambition, identity, and longing. Rich with Brazilian culture, food, and sound, it's a lush, evocative portrait of Brazil in all its passion and complexity.

• 🎶 Tropes: artist and muse, rags to riches, lifelong friendship, unspoken love

• 🍹 Vibes: atmospheric, musical, sun-soaked and bittersweet

🛍️ Perfect for: Readers who want to be swept away by the rhythm, flavor, and emotion of Brazil.

Nigeria

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2006)

Winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction, this novel depicts the Biafran War through the eyes of several characters across class and background: a professor, his servant, a British writer, and a political activist. It's both a love story and a brutal chronicle of war, based on real Nigerian history.

• 🌍 Tropes: forbidden love, war and resistance, coming-of-age, class divide

• 🔥 Vibes: emotionally charged, deeply human, grounded in Nigerian culture and conflict

🛍️ Perfect for: Readers who want to experience the rich history and emotional depth of West Africa through authentic African storytelling.

United States

There There by Tommy Orange (2018)

This award-winning debut novel weaves together the lives of twelve Native characters in Oakland, California, all converging on the Big Oakland Powwow. The book examines generational trauma, identity, and urban indigeneity with urgency and compassion. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and a New York Times bestseller.

• 🥶 Tropes: multiple POVs, cultural identity, intergenerational struggle

• 🔥 Vibes: urban realism, American trauma, cultural celebration

🛍️ Perfect for: Readers seeking Native American voices and urban U.S. narratives.

France

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles (2020)

Inspired by the true story of librarians at the American Library in Paris during WWII, this novel moves between 1940s Paris and 1980s Montana. Through Odile and her American pen pal Lily, it celebrates books as tools of resistance and healing. The book became an international bestseller.

• 📚 Tropes: dual timelines, bookish heroine, quiet strength

• 🧅 Vibes: literary Paris, cultural pride, wartime resilience

🛍️ Perfect for: Historical fiction lovers longing to explore wartime France and its literary soul.

Italy

The Cursed Friend by Beatrice Salvioni (2023)

Set in 1936 Monza, under the tightening grip of Mussolini's fascist regime, this bold debut novel follows the intense and dangerous friendship between two teenage girls — the well-mannered Francesca and the rebellious Maddalena. Their bond is forged in defiance of social norms and a shared sense of being outsiders. The novel opens with a striking scene of the girls attempting to dispose of a man's body, immediately pulling the reader into a story that is both tender and politically charged. Praised for its tension and atmosphere, The Cursed Friend was an instant bestseller in Italy.

• 👯‍♀️ Tropes: forbidden friendship, coming-of-age, societal rebellion, dark secrets

• 🧨 Vibes: intense, cinematic, historically grounded with emotional fire

🛍️ Perfect for: Readers who want a gripping and emotionally rich exploration of fascist-era Italy through the lens of female resistance and friendship.