Best Books by Setting
Spanish Literature: A Guide to Books set in Spain
Spain has inspired some of the world’s greatest literature, from Cervantes’ Don Quixote to contemporary novels set in Madrid, Barcelona, Andalusia, and the Basque Country. This guide to Spanish literature explores both classic and...
Best Books Set in Lisbon
Looking for the best books set in Lisbon? The Portuguese capital has long inspired writers with its hills, neighbourhoods, and unique atmosphere shaped by centuries of trade, hospitality, and cultural exchange. From wartime stories to philosophical novels and literary...
Best Books Set in Portugal Beyond Lisbon
If you’re searching for books set in Portugal beyond Lisbon, you’ll find a rich variety of stories waiting to be explored. From the Algarve’s coastal towns to historic inland villages and cities like Porto, Mafra, and Beja, these novels highlight the diversity of...
Recently added books
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Shuggie Bain grows up as the youngest child in a working-class family in 1980s Glasgow. Shuggie idolises his mother, Agnes, a strikingly beautiful woman who dreams of a glamorous life but finds herself trapped in the harsh realities of poverty, unemployment, and a growing alcohol addiction. His father, a serial adulterer and wife-beater, is largely absent. A sensitive and slightly effeminate boy, Shuggie is bullied at school and prefers to stay at home and care for his mother.
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Isabel lives alone in her family’s country home in the small Dutch town of Zwolle in 1961. Her life, structured by routine within the comforting cocoon of the house, is disrupted when her brother invites his new girlfriend Eva to stay for the summer when he is away on business. Initially, this intrusion into Isabel’s personal space feels utterly unwelcome, and the two women struggle to get along. However, over time, they grow much closer…
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Kostas and Defne are two young lovers in Cyprus in 1974. Kostas is Greek and Christian, while Defne is Turkish and Muslim. Their love is a forbidden one, so they meet secretly under a fig tree in a tavern in Nicosia. When war breaks out, they are torn apart, unsure if they will ever meet again. Years later, their teenage daughter Ada grows up in London, grappling with her identity and heritage. Her only link to Cyprus is a fig tree that grows in the garden of her home.
Latest News Articles
Best Historical Novels Set in Ancient Rome
Looking for the best books about ancient Rome? Here are some must-read historical novels. Ancient Rome has long fascinated readers with its dramatic history, larger-than-life personalities, and complex political intrigue. From the fall of the Republic to the height of...
Guide to the Premio Strega
Looking for the best Italian novels or a guide to the Premio Strega winners? This page introduces Italy’s most important literary prize and highlights some of the finest works of modern Italian literature available in English translation. The Premio Strega or Strega...
How Diverse Is the Nobel Prize in Literature? A Look at Regions and Languages
Nobel Prize in Literature Diversity by Region and Language - In previous blog posts, I presented overviews of the Nobel Prize for Literature laureates in periods of roughly twenty-five years, covering 1901–1924, 1925–1949, 1950–1974, 1975–1999, and 2000–2025. I also...