Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set Outside the U.S.

Hello my lovelies!  It’s Tuesday and that means it is time for another Top Ten Tuesday post!

  What is TTT? TTT is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.  Check out their blog for more info and to see upcoming themes.

This week’s theme is…

July 19: Ten Books Set Outside The US (I don’t know about you but so much of what I read is set in the US and I love finding new recs of stuff set outside of it!)

When I first read the theme for this week, I thought it was going to be a little harder than it actually was.  Surprisingly, many of my favorite books are set outside of the U.S…

» The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Amazon • Goodreads

Setting: Barcelona, Spain

Genre: Historical Mystery

If you enjoy historical mysteries with a gothic feeling, a gripping plot, beautiful writing, and captivating characters.

My Rating:

You can read my review here → Book Review: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

---

» The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Amazon • Goodreads

Setting: Egypt

Genre: Inspirational Fiction

Pick this book up if you are looking for a thought-provoking book about life written in parable form. 

My Rating:

You can read my review here → 5 Things The Alchemist Taught Me About Life

---

» The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie BuchananAmazon • Goodreads

Setting: Paris, France

Genre: Historical Fiction

I would recommend this book to those interested in learning more about the French opera in the late 1880’s.

My Rating:

You can read my review here → Book Review: The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan

---

» Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Amazon • Goodreads

Setting: Kyoto, Japan

Genre: Historical Fiction • Romance

Pick this book up if you are interested in learning about Geishas pre and post WWII.  *Keep in mind the validity of this portrayal of Geishas has been challenged.

My Rating:

---

» Midaq Alley by Naguib Mahfo

Amazon • Goodread

Setting: Cairo, Egypt

Genre: Fiction > Cultural

Read this if you are interested in learning more about the culture of lower class Egyptians in Cairo in the 1970’s. 

My Rating:

---

» The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

Amazon • Goodreads

Settling: Haran (modern-day Iraq and Syria),

Canaan, Shechem (Israel), and Egypt

Genre: Historical Fiction

I would recommend this book if you are interested in learning about the lives and struggles of women in biblical times.

My Rating:

---

» Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Amazon • Goodreads

Setting: Delft, Netherlands

Genre: Historical Fiction

Give this book a try if you enjoy books that create a backstory to famous works of art.

My Rating:

---

» The Reef by Nora Roberts

Amazon • Goodreads

Setting: Saint Kitts and Nevis

Genre: Romance • Suspense

Read this if you are interested in marine archeology and modern day treasure hunts.

*This is my favorite NR book. 

My Rating:

---

» Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran

Amazon • Goodreads

Setting: Barwa Sagar, India

Jhansi, India

Genre: Historical Fiction

Read this if you are interested in learning about some of the traditional Indian views with regards to women.

My Rating:

You can read my review here → Book Review: Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran

---

» Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

–Amazon • Goodreads

Setting: Scotland

Genre: Historical Fiction • Romance

Give this book a try if you like COMPLEX plot lines and interested in learning more about war torn Scotland in the 1740s.

My Rating:

---

Which are your favorite books set outside of the U.S.?