I’ve been living in Bangkok for two years and it’s taken me just as long to compile this list of the best books about Thailand. Why? Because I didn’t want it to be weighted toward novels set in Thailand by predominantly white, Western authors, yet great Thai literature that resonates in English and is available in good translation is hard
The best of both worlds (that is, physical journeys and those undertaken through chapters) can be found in travel books about social isolation – a bit of an oxymoron, but nonetheless a relatable one during these “uncertain times.” Some are intrepid tales of solo adventures, while others are impressive feats of survival. Some of the examples of isolation are voluntary
So, I recently made Southeast Asia my home by officially moving to Bangkok! I’ve celebrated in the only way I know how – adding the best books about Southeast Asia to my ever-growing reading wish list and further expanding on my knowledge of Asian literature. Here, I’m recommending one novel set in each country in Southeast Asia (available in English)
When I read Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood during a trip to Japan, both the trip and the book sparked a fascination with Japanese novels that has stayed with me ever since. This list was meant to be a top five, but I simply couldn’t choose! So instead, here are 11 great Japanese writers and the their books, available in English,
Living in Hong Kong for five years, I explored the city, the islands and the mountainous New Territories. I also explored the SAR’s history through popular books set in Hong Kong, from romantic novels to informative works of non-fiction. So, I’ve decided to compile a list of the best books about Hong Kong and my favourite HK writers, which I