If Europe has been calling your name, but travel plans aren’t quite on the table yet, don’t worry, you can still experience the charm of the continent from the comfort of your favourite reading space. There’s a whole world of books set in Europe that can take you from the winding streets of Paris to the sun-drenched coasts of Greece, all without packing a bag.
Whether you’re into literary fiction, or historical fiction, this list is your passport to memorable adventures.
Let’s begin our journey with the eight most visited European countries, as per UNWTO data: France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, the UK, Germany, Greece, and Austria.
FRANCE – Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan, translated by Heather Lloyd
Françoise Sagan became an overnight sensation at 18 with the 1954 release of Bonjour Tristesse. It’s easy to see why, this slim novel is thoughtful, sharp, and quietly provocative. Driven by characters caught in a haze of indifference (or what the French call ennui), it’s a brief but unforgettable read.
Spain – The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, translated by Lucia Graves
In post-war Barcelona, young Daniel discovers a rare novel that leads him into a mystery: someone is destroying every copy of the author’s books. As he searches for the truth, he uncovers a haunting tale of love, obsession, and long-buried secrets.
Italy – The Other End of the Line by Andrea Camilleri, translated by Stephen Sartarelli
As migrants flood the Sicilian coast, Inspector Montalbano is stretched thin. Then a local dressmaker is found murdered with her own scissors. While juggling chaos at the port and exhaustion, Montalbano must unravel a mystery that threatens to unravel much more.
Turkey – The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk, translated by Maureen Freely
In 1975 Istanbul, Kemal’s engagement to Sibel unravels when he falls for Füsun, a beautiful shopgirl and distant relative. As their secret affair spirals, Kemal becomes obsessed—collecting objects tied to his longing and creating a museum of love, loss, and a changing Istanbul.
United Kingdom – The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
London, 1922. In a quiet Camberwell home, widow Mrs. Wray and her daughter Frances take in lodgers to make ends meet. But the arrival of Lilian and Leonard Barber disrupts more than just the household routine—setting off a chain of events that will change everything.
Germany – This House Is Mine by by Dörte Hansen, translated by Anne Stokes
Vera has never felt at home in the farmhouse she arrived at as a child refugee. Decades later, her niece Anne appears with her son, fleeing a life that never fit. As the two women—strangers in many ways—share the old house, they slowly build an unexpected sense of family. This House is Mine is a quietly powerful debut about belonging, resilience, and connection.
Greece – A Separation by Katie Kitamura
When her estranged husband goes missing in rural Greece, a woman reluctantly sets out to find him—keeping their separation a secret. What follows is a quiet, suspenseful unraveling of love, distance, and the limits of truly knowing another.
Austria – The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek, translated by Joachim Neugroschel
Elfriede Jelinek’s The Piano Teacher is a dark, unsettling portrait of repression and desire. Erika, a strict piano teacher living with her controlling mother, leads a secret life of voyeurism—until a young student’s obsession ignites a disturbing spiral of passion and power.
Something Bookish Curators are always on the lookout for the next great read to add to your #TBR. Whether it’s a backlist gem, a breakout debut, the book everyone will be talking about next, or a beloved classic, we’ve got recommendations you won’t want to miss. Join the conversation and read along with us on social!
