It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We are happy to celebrate all the holidays in global style and one tradition we love to share is the Scandinavian tradition of reading a book on Christmas Eve. Choosing a cherished book for someone can seem daunting but this thoughtful gift, unwrapped on a cozy evening, could be one of the best memories of the holiday season. Here are our picks for the reading travelers in you life!
Mystery Maniac
The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen is a multi-generational story that brings the reader through the magnificent streets of Venice as the characters deal with love, war, happiness, and betrayal and the clues left in an old sketchbook.
Murder in Tuscany by TA Williams is book 3 in the series is the newest story about Dan, a retired English detective who helps the local authorities. Helping him along the way is his loyal dog Oscar.
Historical Fiction Junkies
The Paris Library by Janet Charles an instant classic that will have you wondering what in the world a library in Paris has to do with a small town in Montana?! Follow this epic story down the street of Paris and through the Nazi occupation as Odile figures out how to navigate her young life during some of the darkest days she’s known. Based on true accounts, this book will be a library standard for decades to come.
The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen Why is that apartment to mysterious? Read and find out what happened there and what treasure awaits!
The Paris Dressmaker by Christy Camberon
Poland by James Michener Eight centuries, three families, Tatar invasion to Poland’s reappearance. The common thread through all these years in Poland’s undying Pride!…Rebuild, Rebuild, Rebuild!
Our Fave Non Fiction Picks
The Unknowns: The Untold Story of America’s Unknown Soldier and WWI’s Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home By Patick O’Donnell
Warsaw 1944: Hitler, Himmler and the Crushing of a City by Alexandra Richie The traumatic story of one of the last major battles of World War II. The Poles fought off the German troops for 63 days. This is the first account to see the tragedy from both German and Polish perspectives. Common Thread throughout Poland is the Poles unbreakable Spirit
The Foodie
Searching for Italy by Stanley Tucci
1,000 foods to eat before you die: food lover’s life list by Mimi Sheraton This is the ultimate guide for the food lover! You will encounter the best cuisines for all over the world. Whether you are dreaming of a diner in Chicago or a local breakfast in downtown Stockholm, this book has it covered.
Ireland’s Green Larder: The Definitive History of Irish Food and Drink by Margaret Hickey This tells the story of food and drink in Ireland. It begins in ancient times and brings us right up to today’s thriving food scene. This book digs into the day to day life of the people. You sure don’t want to miss the story of how Queen Maeve died after being hit by a piece of hard cheese. The history of Ireland’s History is brought to life in such a magical way you won’t forget it!
The Romantic
The Little Cafe in Copenhagen by Julie Caplan part of a larger series that will have anyone hopping from fabulous destination to fabulous destination as the reader follows a string of women as they reset themselves for true success and maybe find a little romance along the way. You can’t beat it if you are looking for a Hallmark movie on the page!
A Postcard from Italy by Alex Brown What happens when a postcard drops to the floor in an old storage warehouse? Grace finds out as she tracks down the story of the mysterious owner of the storage unit and her epic story in Italy.
Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, not because she wants to but because it is her mother’s dying wish. Her mother wanted her to get to know her father. Lina uncovers secret romances, art, hidden bakeries and more. She has always heard that people come to Italy for Love and Gelato but she finds out she has found so much more.
Logistics Lover
Building The Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality By Melissa Bruntlett Bikes and Amsterdam go hand in hand. But how does it even work? And, more importantly, how will it affect the traveler in Europe in the years to come?
The Turning Tide: a Biography of the Irish Sea by Jon Gower What the waters between Ireland and England must have witnessed! This is written in true Irish storytelling style and envelopes the importance of the sea from all aspects.
Best travel guide we’ve seen this year:
Walking Amsterdam: The Best City Guide by National Geographic This guide offers 13 step by step, mapped itineraries that allow you to explore Amsterdam like a local. It covers everyone’s likes: from shoppers to history lovers. You will find something that fits your taste.
Les Frenchies This digital travel guide might be the best kept secret in Paris travel guides! Antoine and Colleen are feet on the ground locals that are ready to share their picks and pans to make travel to Paris a total success!!!
Paris In Stride Jessie Kanalos Weiner This is truly an outstanding guide to walking in Paris. It will take you to places that are both icons and then some that are hidden gems. You will see all the must sees, some new finds and some old revisited places that have been forgotten. This guide will definitely leave you long for Paris and counting the days until you return.
