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Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

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2024 Challenge - Regular > 17 - A book set in a travel destination on your bucket list

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message 1: by Nadine in NY (last edited Dec 01, 2023 08:04AM) (new)

Nadine in NY Jones | 9596 comments Mod
A book set in a travel destination on your bucket list.


Do you have a bucket list? I don't have a bucket list! I guess there are places I'd like to visit someday, but I don't have a firm list.


The destination will be different for each of us, so a group Listopia won't be useful here.


message 2: by Chelsea (new)

Chelsea (chelseanotchels) | 54 comments I don't have a firm list, but if the Galapagos are on yours, Enchanted Islands is a bit of a different one. I'm probably going to look for something set in Tokyo.


message 3: by Ron (new)

Ron | 2661 comments I might play it safe with Eclipse , because aside from the Seattle area, I don't really have many other places I'd like to visit.


message 4: by Deb (last edited Dec 01, 2023 01:07PM) (new)

Deb | 51 comments If anyone wants to read Outlander they hit a few locations over several books. I may do a re-read of a Harry Potter book for this prompt. Not sure yet.


*. tina 。⋆୨୧˚ (whatistinareading) | 9 comments if anyone has recs for Norway or Italy pls let me know!


message 6: by Anna (last edited Dec 01, 2023 02:31PM) (new)

Anna | 71 comments I like drama and thrillers mostly and here are some books on my lists that would work for this prompt.

The Chestnut Man - Copenhagen
After She's Gone - Sweden
The Sandman by Lars Kepler - Sweden
Burial Rites - Iceland
Lyrebird Hill - Australia

Jo Nesbo is an author that has many books set in Norway. His one book The Snowman became a movie I also have the book The Son by him on my TBR.


message 7: by Dee (new)

Dee (Delighting in the Desert) | 30 comments Trip Fiction's website might be helpful here for many, many locations -


message 8: by Shaina (new)

Shaina | 16 comments Thank you for that link! I always have trouble with locations and settings.


message 9: by Ron (new)

Ron | 2661 comments Well, aside from the Twilight books, I might end up reading a book on Alaska instead this way it can be a NF book.


message 10: by Harmke (last edited Dec 02, 2023 06:21AM) (new)

Harmke | 435 comments *. tina 。⋆୨୧˚ wrote: "if anyone has recs for Norway or Italy pls let me know!"

Norway: The Bell in the Lake. I wanted to go there after reading it. The Unseen is a great pick if you like small stories about ordinary people's life.

Italy: from Italian writers: My Brilliant Friend, The Eight Mountains


message 11: by Jennifer W (new)

Jennifer W | 1786 comments I don't have a bucket list per se, but I do have places I've always wanted to go. A lot of them, in fact, so this this might almost be a freebie prompt for me.

Anyone know of books set in Madagascar?


message 12: by Heather L (last edited Dec 02, 2023 07:03AM) (new)

Heather L  (wordtrix) | 780 comments *. tina 。⋆୨୧˚ wrote: "if anyone has recs for Norway or Italy pls let me know!"

As already mentioned, there’s a lot of Nordic noir, but also playwrights and numerous Nobel Prize winners.

Henrik IbsenA Doll's House, An Enemy of the People, Hedda Gabler, Ghosts, Peer Gynt

Knut HamsunHunger, Pan, Growth of the Soil (We read Hunger last year in a classics group, but while some in the group loved it, I did not. I did, however, like Growth of the Soil

Sigrid UndsetKristin Lavransdatter

Jostein GaarderSophie's World, The Solitaire Mystery, The Ringmaster's Daughter, The Orange Girl

Jo NesbøThe Snowman, Nemesis, The Bat (Flaggermusmannen), Phantom, The Redeemer, Midnight Sun

Jon Fosse � 2023 Nobel Prize for Literature � Melancholy, Septology, A Shining

Thor HeyerdahlKon-Tiki, The Ra Expeditions

Anne B. RagdeBerlin Poplars

Jonas LieWeird Tales from Northern Seas: Norwegian Legends

If you like Neil Gaiman, try Odd and the Frost Giants (loved this one)

If you want a book for younger audiences, see if you can find the children’s book Trolls by Jan Lööf


message 14: by Nadine in NY (new)

Nadine in NY Jones | 9596 comments Mod
Jennifer W wrote: "I don't have a bucket list per se, but I do have places I've always wanted to go. A lot of them, in fact, so this this might almost be a freebie prompt for me.

Anyone know of books set in Madagascar ..."





I have Return to the Enchanted Island on my TBR. No idea if it's good, but it's short!


message 15: by Jennifer W (new)

Jennifer W | 1786 comments Nadine in NY wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "I don't have a bucket list per se, but I do have places I've always wanted to go. A lot of them, in fact, so this this might almost be a freebie prompt for me.

Anyone know of b..."


It looks promising, but my library doesn't have it.


message 16: by Karen (new)

Karen Witzler (kewitzler) | 126 comments Jennifer W wrote: "I don't have a bucket list per se, but I do have places I've always wanted to go. A lot of them, in fact, so this this might almost be a freebie prompt for me.

Anyone know of books set in Madagas..."


When my kids were in school and had to do geography reports, we got the Lonely Planet guides to Madagascar and Antarctica. They were extremely informative and quite readable with lots of history and local info on flora and fauna, locals. I read them both myself at the time. A new edition of Madagascar was due to come out this year.

Lonely Planet Madagascar

Antarctica


message 17: by Kole (new)

Kole (koleworld) | 1 comments Scotland! Let me recommend Our Divine Mischief

From the description:
A sweeping YA fantasy inspired by Scottish history and folklore, Our Divine Mischief takes readers on a journey told in three voices: a determined heroine, an outcast young man, and a wish-granting canine.


message 18: by Allison (new)

Allison Dogaer | 18 comments Hoping to get to Ireland in 2024. Any books set there that you know about??

I like to read a book for the area where I am going to travel to so I can see some sites that I am "familiar" with and read about. So, I like this prompt a lot!


message 19: by Milena (new)

Milena (milenas) | 1195 comments Allison wrote: "Hoping to get to Ireland in 2024. Any books set there that you know about??

I like to read a book for the area where I am going to travel to so I can see some sites that I am "familiar" with and r..."


I am reading The Bee Sting right now. It's really long, but I like it so far.


message 20: by Nadine in NY (new)

Nadine in NY Jones | 9596 comments Mod
Allison wrote: "Hoping to get to Ireland in 2024. Any books set there that you know about??

I like to read a book for the area where I am going to travel to so I can see some sites that I am "familiar" with and r..."



I've got 58 books on my "Ireland" shelf - I add books to this shelf if the author is Irish AND/OR if it's set in Ireland - these are primarily mysteries and picture books, but there's some other stuff, too.
Nadine's Ireland shelf


message 21: by Cathy C (new)

Cathy C | 11 comments Jennifer W wrote: "I don't have a bucket list per se, but I do have places I've always wanted to go. A lot of them, in fact, so this this might almost be a freebie prompt for me.

Anyone know of books set in Madagas..."


Beyond the Rice Fields by Naivo


message 22: by Jennifer W (new)

Jennifer W | 1786 comments Cathy C wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "I don't have a bucket list per se, but I do have places I've always wanted to go. A lot of them, in fact, so this this might almost be a freebie prompt for me.

Anyone know of b..."


Thanks, but also not available at the library. :/


message 23: by Jennifer W (new)

Jennifer W | 1786 comments Allison wrote: "Hoping to get to Ireland in 2024. Any books set there that you know about??

I like to read a book for the area where I am going to travel to so I can see some sites that I am "familiar" with and r..."


I have The Good People out from the library right now, I haven't started it yet.


message 24: by Katy (new)

Katy Mitchell-Jones | 9 comments Allison wrote: "Hoping to get to Ireland in 2024. Any books set there that you know about??

I like to read a book for the area where I am going to travel to so I can see some sites that I am "familiar" with and r..."



All of Tana French's books! Start with In the Woodsor The Searcher


message 25: by Jessica (new)

Jessica (ipomoea) | 17 comments If Seattle/Washington is on your bucket list, here's some books that (as a Washington resident) I think are great! I'm also a librarian, so you could consider these recommendations:
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter is historical fiction set in Spokane in the 1910s. It's about two brothers in the fledgling labor movement, and is vividly written and fascinating. Many of the characters in it are based on real people.

Anything from Alexandria Bellefleur is going to be a super fun contemporary queer romance (some are F/F, at least one is M/F) set in Seattle and written by someone who lives here.

Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain by Charles Cross is set primarily in Seattle and Aberdeen, and is an incredibly well-written biography.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple is delightful, funny and sly, about a dissatisfied woman who goes on the run from her supposedly perfect life in Seattle. From the private schools to the blackberries, this is written with the love-hate relationship so many of us have with the city.

The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs is urban fantasy set in Eastern Washington's Tri-Cities. Mercy is a mechanic who's also a coyote shifter, trying to figure out her relationship with the pack of werewolves who moved in next door, and having to deal with the supernatural beings of the area.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is set in Seattle during WW2 and touches on the Japanese-American incarceration camps of the era. We Are Not Strangers by Josh Tuniga tells the true story of his grandfather in Seattle, who helped keep his incarcerated Japanese neighbors' houses and businesses safe for them while they were detained. This is also a graphic novel.


message 26: by Kayleigh (new)

Kayleigh (kayebird) | 7 comments *. tina 。⋆୨୧˚ wrote: "if anyone has recs for Norway or Italy pls let me know!"

Elena Ferrante's Neopolitan Novels (that the show My Brilliant Friend is based on) are set in Italy and she is an Italian author. :)


message 27: by Sim1 (new)

Sim1 (sim1saunders) | 18 comments Grand Hotel Europa


message 28: by Dea (last edited Jan 02, 2024 01:26PM) (new)

Dea (maidmirawyn) | 201 comments If you enjoy lighthearted, humorous 1930s romance-thrillers, the Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen includes a lot of fun locations. All are set at least partially in England, and some are in Scotland.

Her Royal Spyness � Scotland and London, England
A Royal Pain � London, England
Royal Flush � Scotland (near Balmorral)
Royal Blood � Transylvania/Romania
Naughty in Nice � Nice, France (French Riviera)
Heirs and Graces � England
Queen of Hearts � Reno, Nevada; Hollywood, California; Transatlantic cruise ship
Malice at the Palace � London, England
Crowned and Dangerous � Ireland
On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service � Italy
Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding � London, England
Love and Death Among the Cheetahs � Kenya
The Last Mrs. Summers � England


message 29: by Irene (new)

Irene (irene5) | 32 comments Does "set in a travel destination" mean the characters in the book should travel to that location? I'm confused by the wording - I assume without the word "travel," it would just refer to the regular setting, although I guess the word "destination" is also not synonymous with setting since it implies travel as well.


message 30: by Nadine in NY (new)

Nadine in NY Jones | 9596 comments Mod
Irene wrote: "Does "set in a travel destination" mean the characters in the book should travel to that location? I'm confused by the wording - I assume without the word "travel," it would just refer to the regul..."

it's worded awkwardly and open to interpretation. To me it means "set in a place that you would really like to visit someday."


message 31: by Irene (new)

Irene (irene5) | 32 comments Thanks Nadine, then I'll also disregard the travel part!


message 33: by Leona (new)

Leona (mnleona) | 244 comments I have been able to travel the world so only a few left on my bucket list. Maybe, a bucket list for returning to a destination?
For Scotland, I have enjoyed Paige Shelton. They are cozy mysteries and her books make me want to return to Scotland.


message 34: by K.L. (new)

K.L. Middleton (theunapologeticbookworm) | 821 comments Dee wrote: "Trip Fiction's website might be helpful here for many, many locations - "

This is brilliant! I'll definitely be using this site to help me select books to take with me when I travel! Thanks for sharing the link!


message 35: by Julia (new)

Julia (_mj_howard) | 57 comments The Weather Woman by Sally Gardner

(London)


message 36: by Anna (new)

Anna | 14 comments I'd like to go to Istanbul (Constantinople would work as well) or Beirut. Any tips?

I know Swedish literature fairly well, if someone would like to read a Swedish novel that isn't crime.


message 37: by Tania (new)

Tania | 678 comments Anna wrote: "I'd like to go to Istanbul (Constantinople would work as well) or Beirut. Any tips?

I know Swedish literature fairly well, if someone would like to read a Swedish novel that isn't crime."


I enjoyed Istanbul Express by T. Davis Bunn, and I don't know how it is but I have Constantinopolis by James D. Shipman on my TBR.


message 38: by Tania (new)

Tania | 678 comments Some recommendations in case anyone needs them -

India: The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

Argentina: Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez

Scotland: Black Horses for the King by Anne McCaffrey

Bolivia: The Puma Years by Laura Coleman

Philippines: Monsoon Mansion: A Memoir by Cinelle Barnes

Canada: Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston

Nicaragua: Blood of Brothers: Life and War in Nicaragua by Stephen Kinzer

Spain: Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones


message 39: by Robin H-R (new)

Robin H-R Holmes Richardson (acetax) | 147 comments I read:
Burke & Hare by Owen Dudley Edwards Burke & Hare by Owen Dudley Edwards

Finished: 01/202/2024
Rating: 4 stars

Set in Edinburgh, Scotland. I've been there, but I want to go back.


message 41: by Denise (new)

Denise | 309 comments I want to explore my home state, California, a lot more. I will slot here Dear California, a book of letters and diary entries from all over California so the entire book takes place here


message 42: by Ron (new)

Ron | 2661 comments If I can't fit in The Mother of All Degrassi: A Memoir in the Biligrosman/coming-of-age prompt, then I'll be able to work it here since it takes place in Canada. I've only been there once, but would love to go back.


message 43: by Ron (new)

Ron | 2661 comments Yikes okay, I'm going with Midnight Sun on this one here instead.

I mean as a Twilight fan, you can't help but want to go to Forks, at least I can't.


message 44: by Diana (new)

Diana (candystripelegs) | 245 comments I don't really have a bucket list, but there are some places I wouldn't mind going to see someday. Because of that I went with Look for Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself. It's a travel journal/memoir by Luke Russert (son of tv journalist, Tim Russert) chronicling the roughly 3 years he spent re-evaluating...well everything in his life...and traveling six continents and some 60 countries.


message 45: by Stina (new)

Stina (stinalyn) | 464 comments I've been to England a few times but didn't get out of London much, so I went with The Keeper of Stories.


message 46: by Kristy (new)

Kristy | 14 comments “Out of Love� by Hazel Hayes. It mainly takes place in London and Ireland, but there is a trip to Paris. Paris is not on my bucket list, but the other two are.


message 47: by Britany (new)

Britany | 1658 comments Set in Copenhagen

Finished The Harbor The Harbor (Kørner and Werner, #4) by Katrine Engberg by Katrine Engberg

My Review:
/review/show...


message 48: by Aquaria (new)

Aquaria | 53 comments Ngaio Marsh � When in Rome


message 49: by Kristen (new)


message 50: by Dubhease (new)

Dubhease | 607 comments Mortal Coil - It's set in Ireland, mostly Dublin


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