7 Books That Take You Places You Probably Shouldnt Visit Right Now

Discover destinations within pages pieced together by those who have belonged there.Travelers always have reasons to reconsider visiting certain destinations. Locals might feel the burden of overtourism and want a break. These places may not be easily accessible (location-wise or financially). Or, destinations may be experiencing conflict and under a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning. But as curious travelers, you can satisfy your curiosity by turning to books that showcase their culture, history, beauty, or even the daily life of a local. Books have a way of transporting us to places, and this list of fiction and non-fiction is an effort to bring you somewhere you can’t or shouldn’t go right now. Note: Some of these are not easy reads, so handle them with care. Related: Fodor’s No List 2026 1 OF 7 Bali WHERE: Indonesia Indonesian author Oka Rusmini is a novelist and poet based in Bali. She published Tarian Bumi (Earth Dance) in 2000, and it has been translated into foreign languages. The book is a glimpse into Balinese society and culture through the eyes of four generations of women who are bound by caste and tradition. As the novel unfolds what it means to be a woman in Bali, it also introduces you to different characters and their struggles on the island. It’s a short read, just 162 pages, but it shows you that there’s more to life in Bali than idyllic beaches and digital nomads. 2 OF 7 Venice WHERE: Italy Welsh author Jan Morris’ Venice is the most recommended book about the city that you will encounter. It is not an average guidebook — it shows you the city’s character. First published in the 1960s, it has been revised multiple times since. It shows you around the city and the lagoon, and introduces you to Venetians in its three parts. The city is definitely enchanting, but it needs travelers to admire it from a distance, and this book is one way of doing that.And if you venture from non-fiction to fiction, then American author Donna Leon has written detective stories set in or around Venice that show you the fantastical side of it. She has captured her audiences with the thrilling tales of Commissario Guido Brunetti, and there are more than 30 in the series to keep you up at night.Both authors lived in Venice, and in their books, you can feel their love for the romantic city in the words they wove. 3 OF 7 Barcelona WHERE: Spain Spanish novelist Eduardo Mendoza has fictionalized Spain, and specifically Barcelona, in many of his books. Set in 1888, City of Wonders takes you through the development of Barcelona between the two World Fairs in 1888 and 1929. The story of a rural boy becoming a wealthy criminal may be fictionalized, but the events that transformed the city are very much real. This story is about Barcelona’s development as much as it is about the vices of a gangster.Barcelona has struggled with overtourism for decades, and locals are vocal about the troubles in the city and the country as a whole. This book narrates how Barcelona developed as an urban hub and may give you some background into its growth. 4 OF 7 Antarctica A century ago, Antarctica was far less accessible than it is now. Cruisers couldn’t book an expensive expedition to see the end of the world. Adventurers spent months on ships and braved unsurvivable conditions to conduct research and exploration of the continent. Many perished there. The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard tells the story of one such expedition. It takes you back 100 years to Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated trip to the continent, where his party of five died. The Terra Nova expedition of 1910-1913 is famous because Scott set out to be the first to reach the South Pole, but a Norwegian team beat them there; his team also died on the way back from starvation and cold. Cherry-Garrard was part of this voyage, but not this particular mission, and he was the one who found three of his dead friends. Antarctica is a cold, uninhabitable, and punishing destination, and it should be treated as such.Related: Antarctica Has Become a Popular Destination. But Should You Actually Go? 5 OF 7 Mexico City WHERE: Mexico Mexicans have been calling out gringos over gentrification and diluting their food. Nowhere is the frustration and anger more visible than in Mexico City, where locals are protesting against rising living costs and being forced out of their neighborhoods. If you’re rethinking visiting the city, pick up the book Las Batallas en el Desierto (Battles in the Desert) by Mexican author José Emilio Pacheco. This novella, first published in 1981, tells the story of post-World War II Mexico as it changes rapidly. The coming-of-age story takes readers to the neighborhood of Colonia Roma—now popular with tourists and expats—and shows the tussle between Mexican traditions and American influences. 6 OF 7 Iran Feminism is not solely a Western movement. The fight for equality is also occurring in the East, and it looks different in post-colonial, post-socialist, and authoritarian regimes. Rather than believing the stereotypes that women in the East remain powerless, read what they have to say about themselves. One recommendation is Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis, which takes you through her childhood during and after the Islamic Revolution. In the black-and-white graphics, you see Tehran from the eyes of a young girl and then a woman, both facing oppression and seeking emancipation. Alongside political context, Satrapi offers readers a cultural perspective and humanizes the country—and its people—often seen through a single lens.Related: Look at the Incredible Beauty of Iran’s Most Important Cultural Sites 7 OF 7 Afghanistan Women find ways to resist authority and rise above oppression. Homeira Qaderi is one of the many who quietly challenged the Taliban and fought for her freedom. In her heartbreaking memoir Dancing in the Mosque: An Afghan Mother’s Letter to Her Son, she remembers growing up under the Russian occupation and Taliban rule, where girls were not allowed to study, dance, or be seen. She rebels and teaches girls to read and write and dance. After marrying and moving to Tehran, she earns a PhD in Persian literature, but fate brings her back to Kabul, where she’s separated from her son. Five years ago, the Taliban returned to power and erased women from public life. Human rights have collapsed, and the country is witnessing a humanitarian crisis due to economic instability and unemployment. Yet, influencers have been seen photographing armed men on trips promoted on social media. No doubt that Afghanistan is gorgeous with breathtaking beauty and rich culture—you can see some of it in Afghan-American photographer Daniel Malikyar’s book, Afghanistan. But Taliban-organized tourism is an attempt to whitewash everyday realities and legitimize a dictatorial regime, so the country is better experienced in the pages of these books.Related: Afghanistan Hopes a Hostage Video Will Make You Want to Visit