Top 10 Settings I Need More Of In Books

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Settings are so important in stories. They can build the atmosphere of the plot: can add danger to a story or calm a character down with a breathtaking view. And as much as settings are significant, why do readers see a lot of the same settings recycled over and over again. New York City is a place that is a bit overused but it's also a place most people can picture since they've probably been there or seen pictures. Boarding schools, a setting I love, is the backdrop for many novels these days. Space is the perfect setting for science fiction books.


I came up with 10 settings that I rarely see in books and would love to see more of. Imagine going on an adventure in these places: the possibilities are endless! Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is: Top 10 Settings I Need More Of in Books:

Desert

earth desert GIF by Lil Dicky

I don't read a lot of books that are set in the desert. However, I think it would be an amazing place to visit in a book. There is a certain danger with a book being set in the desert, the lack of water really increases the stakes. 

Romania 

Unless it's a book about vampires, I rarely see books visit Romania. And why not? The history is rich and dark. The architecture is gorgeous. This is a place that books need to be set!

Underground Cities/ Underwater Cities

mine lost GIF

You know, like Atlantis? The idea of finding a lost city, hidden from the rest of the world, would be so much fun. I've never read a book where this happens. Have you?

Theme Park

There's a section in the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson where the squad decides to lay low in Disney World. It's probably one of the most memorable scenes of that entire series. It's so much fun. They're all running away from bad guys while enjoying rides and eating all the theme park food. I need more rollercoasters in the books I read.

Chernobyl

There is so much a book could do with a setting like Chernobyl. Chernobyl is an abandoned city in Ukraine where a nuclear power plant exploded in the 1980's. It's radiation levels are still so high that people are not allowed to live there, to do this day. With a setting like Chernobyl, it could be a horror book. It could be a lost civilization scenario-- they're all living underground, maybe. This could be a science fiction book. The possibilities are endless!

Town Near a Volcano

ancient greece ship GIF by Assassin's Creed

When I was younger, it was very common to see a TV show where a volcano erupted and the main character had to struggle to find shelter. Now that I think of it, I've never read a book where a protagonist lives near a volcano. Where are all the authors at? I would love to read about all these settings!

Safari

Forget about those road trip books, what about going on a safari? 

Renaissance Faire

I'm currently reading Well Met by Jen DuLuca which is a summer romance set at a Renaissance Faire. And why is this not a more common setting? This is the best! Actors get to dress up and act as if they're part of the Elizabethan era. There's jousting and a human chess board, plus turkey legs and bread bowls, all in a modern backdrop. Love it!

Alaska

There's a lot of books set in America. However, most of the books that release are in the bigger/more well-known states like New York, Illinois, California, Washington, and Texas. (Wouldn't it be awesome to find some stats on which states are most books set in?) More books need to be set in Alaska.

Abandoned Prison

prison break history GIF

You may have noticed a theme here. I like abandoned places; they're creepy. Last summer, I visited the Eastern State Penitentiary and it was absolutely amazing! I'm not entirely sure what kind of books could take place at abandoned prisons, unless it was a ghost story. However, it would still be fantastic!

What settings would you love to see more of in books?

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5 comments

  1. Ooh, Chernobyl is a fantastic choice!

    My TTT.

    ReplyDelete
  2. OOoh nice picks! I chose some similar ones too! YAY DISNEY WORLD!!!

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alaska is on my list today, too. Such a fascinating place! Have you read THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah? It's my favorite Alaska book.

    Happy TTT!

    Susan
    www.blogginboutbooks.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Now that you mention the amusement park, I'd love to see a book set at Cedar Point in Ohio - that would be cool!

    Lauren @ Always Me

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  5. YES YES YES to all of these but especially Chernobyl!

    ReplyDelete