Reading About Eastern Europe

Posted by Amanda Kendle May 7, 2007

I love to read all kinds of things about my travel destinations before I get there: a novel that's set in a city I'll visit, some travel literature about a similar trip to mine, or English-language newspapers from my destination. You learn so much more, and enjoy your trip more, if you've got more background about where you'll be traveling.

Here's a reading list to help you prepare for a trip to many parts of Eastern Europe and Russia:

Non-fiction:

• Learn Russian culture and habits with World Cultures: Russia
• Follow Angus Bell's cricket journey through Eastern Europe in Slogging the Slavs
• An interesting 1980s view of Russia in Christopher Hope's Moscow! Moscow!
• A list of English language newspapers in Eastern Europe and Russia
• A great magazine for lesser-known parts is hidden europe

Fiction:

• Marina Lewycka's hilarious take on Ukraine culture in A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian
• Andrei Makine's The Woman Who Waited: review coming soon