Books are, no surprise, my favorite things to talk about, and I get asked for recommendations all of the time. There are some books that are just plain enjoyable, some that are examples of everything you SHOULDN'T do as an author, and then some who have particular strengths. I've started a reading section on the Turn the Page website, but I will start sharing some of those recommendations here.
This week, let's talk about BOOKS WITH AN INCREDIBLE SENSE OF PLACE.
In addition to great stories and themes, these books all transport the reader into the books’ worlds. You can see, hear, smell, feel, even taste alongside the characters – the level of detail is intoxicating, but not overwhelming. Regardless of what type of book you are writing, you want to transport your readers, too – and these books can provide some inspiration in doing so:
The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli
Three photographers are brought together during the fall of Saigon: Helen Adams, an ambitious ingenue; Linh, a local who is torn between his homeland and his burgeoning feelings; and Sam Darrow, who is addicted to the danger of his job – and Helen, too. This is a gripping, emotional read.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9780312674441
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VT3d4r
Tangerine by Christine Mangan
A juicy, suspenseful melodrama, this is set in Tangier and Morocco in the 1950s. Upon arriving in northern Africa, Alice Shipley is surprised to see childhood friend Lucy Mason. Once inseparable, they have not spoken in quite some time. The two friends reunite, but soon Alice begins to feel stifled by Lucy. When John, Alice’s husband, goes missing, she begins to question everything, even her own state of mind.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9780062686695
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Csa11R
The Dry by Jane Harper
One of my favorite books (and authors) in the last five years, this is a mystery set in a small town in Australia. When Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns home for his childhood friend’s funeral, he learns that there is more this apparent murder-suicide than meets the eye. As he investigates, and goes up against hostile locals and a hostile environment, he is forced to confront his past.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9781250105622
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Qnc25f
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