What Books Should You Read When Going to Greece?
What books should you read for traveling to Greece? Here's our three recommendations.
Two of these were suggested by friends from Athens, Greece while we were there and the other I found on my own. I suggest each one for you, too. Check 'em out!
Three RECOMMENED books for traveling to Greece:
1. Greek Expectations: The Last Moussaka Standing
I totally recommend this book for a funny read and to get a glimpse of social and family expectations in Greece.
This is my favorite read because it was about the crazy journey of a woman from the UK marrying a Greek man. Drama and tension!
The author is a comedian and takes the reader through her journey of figuring out how to balance her upbringing as a woman in the UK where she saw her parents both work and share household duties to now marrying into a Greek family where she's expected to do it all. What an adventure she was on and she takes you with her.
This type of story is my favorite to read when learning a new culture (where a foreigner marries a local), because you learn the intimacies of a culture through the lens of someone figuring it out themselves in the most intimate relationship you can have: marriage! You learn so many quarks of a culture that you'd never pick up on even befriending local folks.
Totally recommend this one!
2. The Island
I totally recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Greece's history, Crete's culture, along with some self-discovery, and a little romance:)
The Island was suggested by my friend Evita from Athens. This was my second favorite read while in Greece.
It's historical fiction story. It's about a girl learning the dark past of her family being forced onto an island just off Crete that all lepers were sent to. And, it also includes a view into World War 2 from a Cretan's perspective.
It was fascinating to be sent to the past and learn how leprosy tore apart families and how World War 2 affected people in Greece. And, the story presents Crete's landscape so well. You feel like you're on the journey with the main character.
I totally recommend this book for your trip, too!
3. Zorba the Greek
You gotta read Zorba the Greek when you're going to Greece. It's a classic and this will be everyone's suggestion for you.
We received Zorba the Greek as a gift from our friend Antonis for Adam's birthday. We both read this one.
Zorba will suck you in with his zeal for life and you'll be transported to tiny Greek villages and learn the culture.
Read this one for sure!