What comes to your mind when you think of summer? Sun, sand between your toes, grabbing a burger fresh off the grill? Or is it more of an air-conditioned office, early commutes, starry nights? Of course, summer isn’t the same for everyone, and while some in the world are heading off to the beach, others are bundling up, in the full throes of winter. Still, regardless of where you are and what you have planned for any well-deserved “you” time, one thing we can agree on is that books should be a part of your plans. 

That’s why we’re here, right?

Some of you will be jumping in cars for road trips with family and friends; others will be hopping on planes to exotic locales for deep-sea diving; and there will also be those who are still on the daily grind—including this guy here. Fortunately, there is this fascinating, low-cost mode of travel that we humans have been using for thousands of years: reading.

You know what I’m talking about. Cracking open a new book and trekking through futuristic forests, witnessing knights jousting in a medieval court, or remaining in more contemporary times; traveling to unfamiliar countries, hearing new and beautiful tongues, and tasting foreign flavors for the first time. There’s a reason we say stories are transporting, that they transcend place and time, giving us the ability to move beyond the beach, the pool, and the office all for the fraction of the price of a plane ticket, or even, if you like to wear out that library card, for free.

In the spirit of helping you in your literary travels this summer, we’ve compiled a list of books—novels, novellas, and collections—from our precious Earth’s seven continents. The aim was to provide you with a wide swath of extraordinary reads, some written by national heroes and others by emerging authors, giving you a rich tapestry to choose from. Each author represents their respective continent. However, in the case of Antarctica, which doesn’t have a permanent resident population, we selected seven icy books that are set on the world’s southernmost continent. 

The hope is that you discover a handful of moving works of fiction to keep you more than busy for the season ahead. Of course, this list is only a bite-size sample of the literary smorgasbord our wonderful world has to offer. Please do share some of your own favorite reads written by authors beyond the borders of the place you call home. 

Every season is a season for books. Safe travels!
 

Asia