World Book Day 2020
Happy World Book Day, readers!
Today is a day to celebrate the joy of reading and books. I mean, I do that pretty much every day, but it’s nice to have a dedicated day, too 😉 But there is something I love to do that, in the age of coronavirus, is just not an option: travel. I love discovering new countries and immersing myself in different cultures! I’ll be honest, I haven’t been able to travel in awhile what with adult life and “responsibilities” getting in the way.
As a reader, though, there is a way I can travel, even if I can’t leave the house. Reading offers a window into many different worlds and cultures. Though it may not be as thrilling as actual travel, it’s still a way to broaden my horizons. So I figured, for this World Book Day, I would talk about 5 different books I want to read that are set in 5 different places I want to go! This list is by no means the limits of where I want to travel, but we’d be here all night if I went that deep 😂
With that said, let’s dive in!
Destination #1: Australia
I’ve wanted to visit Australia for the longest time! Seriously, I think since high school, which I graduated from… 20 years ago.
Yikes…
Back on track! I’ve also wanted to read this book, though not for quite as long. The Light Between Oceans is a historical fiction set in Australia in the 1920s and it sounds like it will tear my heart out. Which I apparently love in my historical fictions 🤷🏾♀️
Destination #2: Ghana
One of my mentors in college, who was one of the few Black women in my college, used to work for the Peace Corps. She lived in Ghana for quite a few years and would always tell me wonderful stories about the country. It made me want to see it for myself!
Homegoing landed on my radar because of the setting and the fact that everyone was talking about it when it came out. Again, it’s a historical fiction that sounds heart-wrenching, so you know I’m in.
Destination #3: Japan
One of my high school friends ended up doing a study abroad in Japan in college. When she came back, she showed me pictures and told me stories that made me yearn to go there myself!
This book is set both in Japan and Korea, so I guess I’m kind of cheating. Though I would love to go to Korea, as well! And, yet again, we have a historical fiction that’s probably gonna destroy me. At this point, I’m waiting for someone to ask if I’m okay… (I am, it’s cool, I just like crying while I read, I guess?)
Destination #4: Spain
My Spanish teacher from sophomore to senior year of high school was from Spain. She was so much fun and would tell us a lot about her home country. I’ve wanted to visit ever since!
The Angel’s Game is the second book in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. I really loved the first book, The Shadow of the Wind, so I’m already pumped for this book. I hope it’s as weird and creepy as the first one!
Destination #5: Ireland
Ireland has appealed to my sensibilities since I was a little kid. I love rolling, green fields and I all the pictures I’ve seen of Ireland just speak to my soul! My mom also went there recently and absolutely loved it. So now I want to visit even more!
Hey look, this isn’t a historical fiction! Progress 😂 It is, however, a thriller so I suppose it still has the potential to hurt me… I’ve been wanting to read Tana French for ages. She’s a thriller author that has always been on my radar. The fact that her books are set in Ireland make them that much more appealing!
What are some places you would love to travel? Do you have any other books to recommend set in these countries? How did you celebrate World Book Day? Let me know in the comments!
And, as always, happy reading!
Kerri McBookNerd 