Wonderful and Whimsical Fantasy Worlds to Get Lost in This Summer

Hello all! Like many of you, I’m craving some escape this summer… but can’t get away. Luckily, I’ve found before, books can be an excellent cure for wanderlust. I’m gonna try my hardest not to repeat places I’ve used before, so we can all head to new hotspots! Without further ado, let’s take-off!

Nevermoor– this is a new favourite world for me- it’s wundrous and whimsical and unique. I just adore it.

Kyrria– I thought I knew this world, as I’d seen the movie Ella Enchanted, but really I had no idea how fun and different it would be! The kind of world I’d love to run off to.

Whimsy– fresh off of reading Sorcery of Thorns, I was tempted to include it on this list, but it didn’t quite fit. Fortunately, Enchantment of Ravens, with its little town that is a pocket in fairyland and its journey into the fairy courts, fits the bill perfectly.

Stormhold & Faerie– from Stardust. There are, as you can tell, many fairylands I’d like to visit, but this one has Gaiman’s magic touch.

Prythian– this world is so lush. It sparkles on the page- especially in A Court of Mist and Fury, when we get to go to Velaris!

Cabeswater– I can’t believe I’ve never included Cabeswater before? It’s (literally) dreamy and magical and alive with possibilities. Well, I’m rectifying that today, thinking about this with special reference to Dream Thieves.

Weep– likewise, I can’t believe I’ve been so remiss as to not mention the exquisite and innovative world of Strange the Dreamer. In case you don’t know, Laini Taylor is one of my favourite authors and she can do no wrong. Her worlds are immersive and fantastical and the dream getaway.

Rivendell– umm yeah I somehow never mentioned this either (I guess cos I’m a massive weirdo always going on about Mirkwood). Obviously, this is the *best* destination in Middle Earth (unless you fancy a staycation in the Shire of course 😉)

Red London– I’ve snuck this into a list before, talking about books set in my hometown, but given that was cheeky, I’m gonna be cheekier still and put it here. Especially cos right now I’m stuck in a rather grey London- wish I could put on a cloak and spin off into another version of London (preferably one without the pandemic)

The World of Crestomanci– yeah, I’ve always got to sneak Diana Wynne Jones into one of these lists- I mean she does embody the words “whimsy” and “cute” and “fun”.

Ten Thousand Doors– yup, I’m raving about this book again, because it’s amazing. The world building just transports me off to a thousand other worlds!

Fantastica– and if we’re talking about getting lost in stories, then I simply have to include this now classic journey into storyland. With every turn of the page, you will be transported.

And that’s all for now! Do you fancy booking a trip to any of these? And what fantastical, whimsical worlds would you love to jet off to? Let me know in the comments!

The Wanderlust Book Tag!

Ah it’s that time of year, when my eyes start to drift towards the horizon, and I can’t help but think of all the exotic places I’d rather be… or maybe that’s just me? 😉 Anyway, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go adventuring in books. Thank you so much to the lovely Hammock of Books, for giving me the chance to live vicariously through reading 😉

Rules

• Mention the creator of the tag and link back to original post [Alexandra @ Reading by Starlight]
• Thank the blogger who tagged you
• Answer the 10 questions below using any genre
• Tag 5+ friends

The Questions

1. Secrets and lies: a book set in a sleepy small town

To Kill a Mockingbird- basically the ultimate book set in a small town- and a book with a big impact.

2. Salt and sand: a book with a beach-side community

Big Little Lies- an intense murder mystery, the beach town felt like a constant spectre in the background.

3. Here there be dragons: a book with a voyage on the high seas

Life of Pi- a really vivid read, the setting is often powerfully done, even if things are not always as they seem…

4. Tread lightly: a book set down a murky river or a jungle

Journey to the River Sea- this is basically the perfect book for this this question. No contest. And if you haven’t read Eva Ibbotson/already love her books like me, then definitely consider this exquisitely written, fairy-tale-esque middle grade!

5. Frozen wastes: a book with a frost bitten atmosphere

The Northern Lights- and having just watched the recent adaptation (which brought some of the plot points into sharp relief) I can safely say, it isn’t just the setting that’s chilling.

6. The boonies: a book with ruff or isolated terrain 

Heidi- a beautiful book with a beauitiful setting.

7. Hinterlands and cowboys: a book with a western-esque setting

Saga Volume 8- okay, I did pick this largely cos I don’t really read books with this setting- BUT this is an excellent (adult) graphic novel- so if you like the look of it you should definitely check it out!

8. Look lively: a book set across sweeping desert sands

Holes- I am so glad I was reminded of this book by doing this tag, because it’s brilliant! A gripping story, with wonderful characters, about changing your fate.

9. Wild and untamed: a book set the heart of the woods

The Hobbit- okay, not all of this is set in woods, but for me Mirkwood is the most memorable fictional forest.

10. Wildest dreams: a whimsical book shrouded in magic

Charmed Life- yes, yes I could’ve gone with Harry Potter- but you guys know it already. If you’re looking for something else that’s whimsical, you can’t go wrong with Diana Wynne Jones- I especially love the Crestomanci series!

That was a lot of fun! I tag: Miri @the Book Dragoness, Zezee with Books, Embuhleeliest, Read by Tiffany, Meeghan, Ola and Piotrek @Re-Enchantment of the World Blog, the Corner of Laura and anyone else who wants to do it!

What did you think of my answers? And what are some of your favourite books for these settings? Let me know in the comments!

 

Bookish Wanderlust for January Blues

Well, I don’t know about you this month, but I’m definitely experiencing the January blues. It’s still pretty grim out, my reading slump is only just beginning to shift and I’ve got another cold (wtf is wrong with my immune system lately?!). Which is why I think it’s the perfect time to start thinking about a quick getaway… and by getaway, for us shall-we-say financially strapped bookworms, I mean rushing to the bookstore and reading about some lovely and impossible farflung places. And to make this even more fun, I’ve picked books with some real world locations you can actually visit. So hold on tight and here we g-o-o-o….

Daughter of Smoke and Bone– as you might be able to tell from my review the other day, this book has some *wonderful* descriptions of real world places, starting with Prague. What I didn’t mention, however, is that this book has *tons more* locations and the story spins across planets. Yup- that’s right, this book can take you out of this world! (and you won’t have to wait for Virgin’s space programme to get going 😉 )

Bear and the Nightingale– *one day* I will go to Russia (I just want the opportunity to sing “St Petersburg is gloomy, St Petersburg is bleak…”- who’s with me?!) but if you’re like me and can’t exactly do that right now- NEVER FEAR- this book can transport you in both time and place. And the second one, Girl in the Tower, involves far more excursions. This is a trip perfect for the historically minded (fairy tale obsessed) traveller 😉 Speaking of fairy tales…

A Song for Summer– In my opinion, Eva Ibbotson was *the queen* at making history fairytale-esque and transporting the reader to faraway lands. One rather neglected book I’d recommend is A Song for Summer which takes you to the Austrian countryside, at the brink of WW2. It’s a wonderfully romantic story and if you fancy feeling like you’re somewhere else, this is perfect.

Shadow of the Wind– ahh Barcelona- one of the most beautiful cities in the world- that’s the glorious setting of Zafon’s remarkable series and boy does he bring it to life! With evocative description, a mysterious story and an eerie sense of the supernatural lurking, this book is what I recommend for anyone feeling restless for some sun, yet doesn’t mind a few chills along the way. But of course, if sun is all you’re looking for…

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants– as the title suggests there’s some different locations in this and some girl friendship and a little bit of magic 😉 I’d recommend this for anyone looking to just rock up on a beach for a book and whose down for a summer fling 😉 Still, if it’s romance you crave, there’s something even better on offer…

Return of the Native– one of Hardy’s more romantic works and often his most popular novel. What makes this even more perfect for this list is Hardy’s remarkable ability to characterise the landscape of his Wessex (dubbed after the Medieval term for the area of Southwest England). This is, in my opinion, one of the finest examples of that. What’s even better is if you visit Hardy’s Wessex you can tread a lot of the same paths as the characters and even see where Hardy’s mad wife lived (in an attic, as per her request, she was a bit bonkers- read some of her diary if you don’t believe me 😉 ) Here you can stay with one foot in the real world and another just on the brink of imagination. If you want to go *full on magic*, well then look no further than…

Harry Potter– not only is the wizarding world *amazing* but there’s also some wonderful real life places you can go. I’m not gonna pretend I get the whole “let’s go to King’s Cross and pose by a random wall” thing (sorry, I’ve been there loads to catch a train and don’t find it particularly glamorous) BUT I used to live in Edinburgh and let me tell you, there was clear inspiration for JK up there- everything from Teviot (the student union) to Greyfriars Bobby Cemetery ( ❤ ) with some very famous residents… Side note, if you ever do find yourself up there, do go to the Elephant House cos it’s beautiful and niche (though a little pricey) not for the HP graffitied toilet- please.

 

Inkheart series– okay when it comes to trying to make this real world setting, this one is pushing it. HOWEVER I think this is such a fun book to put on the list, because it’s a book about stories coming to life and as the series progresses it becomes about entering stories. How awesome is that? If you fancy a trip somewhere completely unique then book your ticket today 😉

Six of Crows– again, this is stretching the rules a bit, because this isn’t a real world destination. BUT it is based on Amsterdam and that certainly comes across in the books. I loved the way Bardugo brought the location to life in her books, incorporated elements of the trading and canals and generally made it feel true to the real world, but with a twist. It also involves a heist in Scandinavia- which is probably more dramatic than a lot of book travellers are expecting. More for the adventurous tourist I’d say 😉 Speaking of more daredevil types…

City of Masks– VENICE, HISTORY, ADVENTURE- need I say more? I think this is a pretty underrated series to be honest and the first is one of my favourite books set in Venice. Well, an alternative Venice 500 years before our time, where silver is more valuable than gold- interesting right? Not exactly for history buffs, but you’ll get more than you bargained for out of this- it’s quite the journey.

Now we’ve come to the end of the road 😉 Do you fancy a trip to any of these bookish worlds? And do you have any bookish locations to recommend me? Let me know in the comments!