Books to Read on Faraway Places

Going to new places is hands-down the funnest way to learn about foreign countries and cultures, but reading about them isn't half bad--and it's much less expensive! Maybe the reason books like The DaVinci Code and Harry Potter gain such a huge following is because they create a world people just can't resist exploring--whether real or imaginary. But since exploring the new worlds first-hand isn't always affordable or feasible, I love reading stories about fascinating people and places.

Here are a few of my personal favorites:

Beyond the Sky and Earth (by Jamie Zeppa): This novel is about a girl who goes to live in the small, isolated nation of Bhutan. She learns about nature, living without material possessions, and, of course, love. Bhutan is a small country situated right between China and India, and this book portrays it as a precious, sacred place with fascinating people who live surprisingly simple.

Memoirs of a Geisha (by Arthur Golden): This is an amazing book, first for the story of the nine-year-old orphan from a fishing village who enters the artistic and erotic world of Kyoto's geisha. Next, the narrator's voice is distinctly that of a Japanese female who grew up in the 1930's, yet the writer is an American male. Even Japanese readers are impressed at the authenticity of the story and his voice. Simply brilliant.

Girl with a Pearl Earring (by Tracy Chevalier): This is about a simple Dutch girl who becomes a maid in the home of the artist Johannes Vermeer, and ends up the subject of his greatest masterpiece. The rich cultural and historical detail and quirky characters made me feel almost as if I'd seen firsthand his 17th century home in the Netherlands.

The Hundred Secret Senses (by Amy Tan): While Tan has other more well-known stories, the humor and mystical aspects of this story make it my favorite. Set in California, it's about a Chinese girl named Kwan who claims to see ghosts with her "yin eyes" and her half-sister Olivia who is thoroughly embarrassed at Kwan's social ineptness. The story takes readers back and forth between California and ancient China in a story about humanity, kindness, and what really matters.

The Three Musketeers (by Alexander Dumas): While I suppose most people read this book in school, I read it for the first time as an adult and was really surprised at the incredibly humorous and exhilarating story that unfolded. The adventures of D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis take readers right back to 17th century France where details about clothing, architecture, and daily life provide a rich background for this lively tale.

While reading a book about France is already so much less expensive than buying a plane ticket to Paris, I still recommend using a Barnes and Noble coupon or Lonely Planet discount to stock up on books about cool new places. Finally, I am lucky that the above titles were recommended to me by expert book choosers. (I am the world's worst book-chooser and therefore avoid going to bookstores by myself). So please, share some info to help me choose some new books!

What are your favorite stories? What imaginary or real worlds do you think everyone should read about?