Travel around the world with my favorite books set on islands, including mysteries, romances, literary and foodie fiction, short nonfiction, and more.
Visit gorgeous tropical islands and get tipsy with Dionysus. Let Jamaica Kincaid school you on conscious tourism. Maybe even solve a mystery. I love island-set books so much, I recently had to narrow down this list again, as it was getting terribly long. These are just a few of my top book recommendations. 💜 Christine
🍿 You might also enjoy these great movies set on and about islands. 🏝️
Best Books Set On Islands
✨ Each write-up includes an authentic summary, personal book review, and who I think will most enjoy each title. I occasionally update this list, adding and removing books. ✨
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
What The House in the Cerulean Sea Is About
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a ridiculously endearing and devourable story about a highly classified “orphanage” with magical children. “Extremely Upper Management” tasks reliable rule follower Linus Baker to check in and report back to determine if they should close the orphanage.
Along with his cat, Linus heads to the secluded island where his entire life is about to change… He quickly learns that everything isn’t so black and white, and maybe he’s not as good at his job as he thinks.
Why I Recommend This Title
I absolutely love the memorable characters – you can picture them all so clearly – as well as the chemistry between Arthur and Linus. There is so much growth, and the lessons of the novel are highly relevant. This is a story that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer. Even if you aren’t a fantasy reader, this book might just change that! Our Uncorked Readers also adore The House in the Cerulean Sea.
Read This One If You…
- Enjoy feel-good fantasy books with magic (or want to get into fantasy)
- Are the good kind of rule-breaker
- Need books with a color in the title for a reading challenge
- Feel like you don’t fit in
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Plot
Head to Crete and Naxos in the South Aegean Sea. Ariadne, the Princess of Crete and daughter of ruthless Minos, helps the gorgeously green-eyed Athenian Theseus defeat her shameful Minotaur brother.
Fleeing for her life and expecting to wed Theseus, he dumps Ariadne on Naxos and leaves her for dead. Thank goodness for wine, y’all. Dionysus rescues and marries Ariadne, but he cannot resist the adoration and worship that beckon to him as an Olympian god.
As you read and mourn for Ariadne, be sure to look to the sky.
Why I Love It
Jennifer Saint rekindled my love for Greek mythology, and I read her books any chance I get (this is her debut title). Ariadne brings mythology to life in a powerful women’s story about love and sisterhood. I absolutely devoured it.
Who I Recommend Ariadne For:
- Greek mythology enthusiasts
- Readers who champion kick-butt women in historical fiction
- Anyone hoping to travel to Greece via armchair
A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid
Plot
A Small Place is one of the shortest island books on this list, at 98 pages. Kincaid asks visitors not to view her homeland of Antigua from a tourist lens – like an exotic paradise full of parties and beaches – but instead, like other countries, with problems such as crime, corruption, and poverty. She wants travelers to open their eyes and hearts, juxtaposing beauty against racism and colonialism.
Why I Recommend A Small Place
I first read Kincaid’s A Small Place in undergrad and have re-read this touching book many times. Kincaid reminds us all to be better-educated and more conscious travelers.
Who Might Enjoy This Recommendation:
- Anyone who loves traveling the world
- If you want to learn more about Antigua and have an interest in colonialism
- Those seeking nonfiction books set on islands
Another book about tourism – specifically disaster tourism – try Yun Ko-Eun’s Disaster Tourist, a fictional book set on a South Korean island. It’s a wild ride…
Simmer Down By Sarah Echavarre Smith
What Simmer Down Is About
Escape to Maui in Simmer Down as Nikki and Callum compete in the Maui Food Truck Festival.
Drop-dead gorgeous Callum and his brother Finn park next to Nikki and her mom, disregarding all proper food truck etiquette. When your livelihood is at stake, you gotta bring it.
Callum throws Nikki’s stubborn and cautious life plan into chaos as she starts falling for his abssss…him. Will Niki realize that there is more to life than work before it’s too late? And can she learn to love again after losing her father?
Why I Recommend This One
Simmer Down is fast-paced and super sweet; plus, I appreciated this one as a content creator. Callum and Nikki’s relationship made my heart smile, and Callum is the perfect book boyfriend. As one of the most atmospheric island novels on this list, feel the salty Maui breeze and dance like it’s your first or last time.
Of course, I was all in for the swearing, cats, abs, and pink champagne. No kitties are hurt, either. Smith came for me with this one.
Who Will Love Simmer Down:
- Foodies and foodie fiction lovers
- Anyone wishing to travel to Hawaii via the page or in real life. I also recommend The Unhoneymooners by writing duo, Christina Lauren
- Romance lovers
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
Plot
Stunning and fiery Feyi Adekola’s husband dies in a tragic car accident a year into their marriage. Watching him die, she questions why she is the sole survivor.
Capturing her grief and anger in her art installations, after five years, Feyi decides it is time to date once again. Taking it slow as friends with Nasir, he brings Feyi to the Caribbean islands for a once-in-a-lifetime gallery show and to meet his famous chef father, Alim.
Suddenly finding herself attracted to Alim, will Feyi’s desire tear apart this family? Or, is this a fateful romance for the ages?
Why I Enjoyed You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty
In You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty, Emezi captivated me with their introspective characters, storytelling, and steamy romance scenes. This is a stunning island novel filled with emotion that took away my breath.
Who I Recommend This One For:
- Those who loved Emezi’s Nigerian-set novel, The Death Of Vivek Oji, as much I did
- Anyone hoping to find love again – in yourself and your creations, friendships, life, and partner
- Readers seeking an age gap romance
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Plot
Ferry over to a creepy Irish island with a looming graveyard and bog, foreshadowing one disastrous wedding weekend. With alternating timelines and perspectives, a waitress screams after finding a body during the Gatsby-proportioned wedding festivities. Everyone has secrets and a motive…
Why I Recommend The Guest List
The Guest List transports readers to an island off the coast of Connemara, Ireland. Tom and I loved exploring the Connemara Loop, filled with surreal landscapes, a national park, and endless coastal towns. Oh, and sheep!
All of the attendees are unlikeable and entitled brats. They enjoy booze more than I do. The ushers are part of a childhood c*lt-like prep school and have never grown up. The women have toxic relationships with the men in their lives. I was all in for the drama.
You Will Enjoy The Guest List If You…
- Like whodunits
- Enjoy books set in hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts
- Like fictional books about unforgettable weddings; for a read alike featuring a hen party, I also recommend Greek island-set book One Of The Girls by Lucy Clarke
- Enjoy Agatha Christie novels and books set in Ireland
Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti
What Dava Shastri’s Last Day Is All About
Dava Shastri is dying on her own private island – Beatrix Island – in New York. Extremely wealthy and successful, she has gathered her family to say goodbye. Yet, when the news leaks that she is already deceased but sitting right in front of them, her children and grandchildren know that something is up.
Although Dava has made incredible contributions to the music world and funded community projects and leaders, it is not all selfless. She loves the acclaim, wealth, and spotlight – often railroading her family’s needs and dreams. Does that make Dava a bad person when she’s done so much good?
Of course, Dava also wants to see what everyone is saying about her upon her death, perusing her own obituaries and tributes. That might be a grave mistake…
Why I Recommend It
Dava Shastri’s Last Day promises a thoughtful story about family, careers, forgiveness, and legacy. For books set on an island, this recommendation is unique not only because it is about living and dying, but this location offers refuge where a family can hash out their private issues free from the public spotlight. It’s a bit heavier than others on this list. Check the TWs.
Read This One If You…
- Want to read more of the best New York-set novels
- Enjoy a slow-burn
- Like books about family
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Plot
To save her job, Katie – who cannot swim – is sent to Key West, Florida, to document/profile dog hero Hutch, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who hates love. She’s also hoping to gather footage for her personal YouTube series.
Hutch is her boss’s older brother, and we learn why their relationship is so strained based on a tragic accident in the past. TW for disordered eating and body shaming. I do wish there was more of a therapy component here.
Why I Recommend The Love Haters
I read The Love Haters in days, unable to put it down, loving the chemistry between Hutch and Katie. Rue’s community of older ladies, known as “The Gals,” is what I hope to have in my golden years. I aspire to be like them all.
About 75% of the way in, I started to worry about the formulaic and standard conflict/misunderstanding trope (I’m SO exhausted by these), but the point of angst was tolerable and didn’t ruin this as a 5-star read for me.
The Love Haters had unexpected depth. Katie, Cole, Hutch, Rue – they all grow and have a lot to overcome. Part of this is a story of forgiveness and love, of yourself and others.
Who This One Is For:
- Katherine Center lovers, like me; she is one of my go-to authors
- Dog book lovers – Great Dane, George Bailey, is the best, and the dog does not die – not a spoiler; I want you to enjoy the story, worry-free… not that Center would EVER do that to us.
Before You Go: You Might Also Enjoy These Reading Lists With Books Set In Island Countries
🇮🇸 Iceland-Set Reading List
🇯🇵 Books That Take Place In Japan
🇮🇩 My Favorite Books Set In Indonesia
🇦🇺 Australia-Based Books
🏝️ I’m always updating this reading list, especially with so many books set on islands. Let me know your favorites in the comments. 🏝️