Confession: I have never traveled the world. Unless Canada and the United States count. No? Well, fine. Be like that.

That being said, the beautiful thing about books is that they help us travel the world, all from the safety and relative comfort of our living room. You can learn about other cultures, “see” the environment, learn about the history, and probably also suffer emotions.

Now, everyone knows that especially we Americans sometimes forget that there’s, like, other countries out there. (It’s true; I’ve checked. Crazy, right?) What’s more, these countries actually are settings of some pretty awesome books. So for today’s Top Ten Tuesday, let’s go on a tour of the must-read books set in countries other than the United States.

Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s prompt was books that take place in another country.

All Isabel Allende Books

I mean … I tried to choose, okay? I really did. But that’s just asking too much of me. Isabel Allende is internationally famous, and for good reason. Her writing can be a bit of an acquired taste in some instances (I tried to read her City of the Beasts in Spanish, and it really didn’t make it any easier for me—imagine that). However, her stories, set in South America, are replete with political and cultural relevance, and many of her works have been escalated to classic status at this point. And classics are classics for a reason, right?

Wintersong/Shadowsong (Bavaria)

Foreign country not often explored? Check. Historical setting? Check.  Juicy lore and culture? Check. There is so much to love about these books, but I personally really liked how embedded I felt in the setting. It really came to life, in all the best and worst ways of that time period. I learned a few new foreign words, which I have promptly forgotten because who has enough memory space for that? The lore, though, is what really sticks with me, and I loved everything S. Jae-Jones did in regards to der Erlkonig.

Galway Bay (Ireland)

This book destroyed me. Repeatedly. I read it years ago and I still haven’t managed to piece myself back together. Ugh. Despite that, this takes place in Ireland, where a large family is doing their best to survive the tough economic times that have hit. Things become more difficult and times tighter as the farmers are hit with a potato blight, and starvation seems likely unless they can escape Ireland for America, though the trip is anything but easy. Okay, so I cheated a teensy bit because the book does end up taking place in the United States. However, my family is from Ireland (five generations ago now, of course), so I found it really relatable and interesting. The struggles the characters go through are heart-wrenching and accurate, and even once they get to America, the fear of losing Ireland is so pervasive and real. It’s just a splendid read.

Faust (Germany)

As it turns out, I read A LOT of books from Germany, so I chose ONE. I noticed that many of them take place during World War II, and that didn’t seem particularly fair, so I decided to go really old school to an old German play that I LOVE, which is, of course, Faust. This is another classic, and for good reason. There’s lots of great things about this book, even though this is another one that can be pretty hard to get through and hard to decode. Still, it’s more than worth the read.

Meditations (Rome)

This was my first introduction to philosophy, really, and it just so happens that it was given to me by my husband (then, cute kid in my class who I had determined I was obviously going to marry one day, poor thing). It was written a very, very long time ago (duh), but there’s so much that is still extremely relevant. The advice is practical and, really, it’s just timeless. It’s very easy reading and gives a lot to think on, which I just loved. It’s something I’ve read and re-read and will continue re-reading.

Daughters of the Dragon (Korea)

I came so close to adding this to my DNF list, but I pushed on and was so glad I did. The first 40% of this was soooo boring to me, but the ending? OMG SO POWERFUL. I honestly have no words for it? This book touches on atrocities during World War II, from the perspective of a child who is forced to be a prostitute for soldiers. It’s highly depressing and tragic and traumatic, but in a good way? Daughters of the Dragon sheds light on things that aren’t often talked about and gives a voice to a group of women who have been largely marginalized and voiceless.

The Sandman: The Dream Hunters (Japan)

I’m going to be upfront … I don’t remember this. I mean, I read it, but it was seven years ago during that crazy, sleep-deprived, barely functioning period known as my daughter’s infancy. It’s on my re-read list for the year. The only things I do remember about it was how much I absolutely loved the story (and the artwork was GORGEOUS) and the fact that I absolutely loved the lore used in the story. So I guess I don’t have a lot to say about it except read it?

Heart of Darkness (Congo)

I’m not going to lie, this is a really hard book to get through. Conrad’s writing isn’t the easiest thing to suffer through, and my eyes were basically in a permanently glazed over state. I was also really young when I read this, so that was likely a contributing factor. However, it’s such an important story, and one that I actually liked, despite the writing being painful to read. This is actually the first book I ever read that was set in Africa (did I mention that I was young), and I hadn’t actually given much thought at all to … well, basically to any of that continent except for Egypt. So yeah, this has a special place in my heart.

Egyptian Book of the Dead (Egypt)

I mean, this is sort of THE ultimate book about culture, right? Even if it’s ancient culture. I just find it … fascinating? Morbid, sure, but fascinating. The illustrations are fabulous, and I’m just so in love with the behind-the-scenes peek into a culture and civilization that I’ve always been a little in love with.

A Thousand Perfect Notes

Okay, so this one’s a cheat, and I’m a big cheater. Happy? So, this isn’t actually out yet. But while making this list, I sort of ran into a dilemma? I HAVEN’T ACTUALLY READ ANYTHING SET IN AUSTRALIA THAT I CAN RECALL. What have I been doing with my life? So, recommendations would be great so that I can, you know, remedy this? But, that being said, of course this book is going to be excellent and a must read. I mean, duh. Where have you been?

I realized, as I tried to write this, that I haven’t read a lot of books set in certain areas, and actually, I’d really like to remedy that, so I would love recommendations!  Although, that being said, I had to really rein myself in and not go crazy because there are a lot more books I thought about adding. I’m indecisive and have read too much. What a shocker. So what are your favorite books set in countries outside the US? Have you read any from my list?