A Bookish Invitation: Help Shape My Upcoming 2026 Summer Reading List

Stories of Portugal recommended by readers near and far who feel drawn to this place.

Image created by Paul Wilcox.

Dear Readers,

Each summer, I put together a reading list that travels through Portugal without ever leaving the page.

Some years, the journey begins in a village square, a tiled kitchen, or along a quiet road. Other years, it unfolds through poetry and memory, food and history, murder mysteries and adventure, or fiction that captures what it means to live in Portugal, or to be shaped by it from a distance.

That’s part of the pleasure of a summer reading list: Portugal reveals itself in many voices and many forms, sometimes quietly, sometimes with suspense, and occasionally with a sense of escape.

As I begin thinking ahead to my 2026 Summer Reading List, I’d like to open the process and invite you to take part.

Whether you live in Portugal, once lived here, visit often, are Portuguese, or simply feel connected to this country through reading, cooking, research, or imagination, your recommendations are welcome.

What You Can Recommend

I’m looking for books - classic or contemporary - that belong in a reading list shaped by Portugal. I especially welcome titles published in both Portuguese and English, though this is not required. What matters most is that Portugal sits at the heart of the story, whether as setting, subject, or subtle presence.

Suggestions may include:

• Fiction set in Portugal

• Non-fiction, memoir, or essays rooted in Portuguese life or history

• History, biography, or cultural studies

• Poetry by Portuguese writers or inspired by Portugal

• Travel writing that goes beyond the surface

• Murder mysteries, adventure, or genre fiction grounded in place

• Books about Portuguese food, wine, or regional traditions

• Portuguese cookbooks, traditional or modern

How to Share Your Recommendation

Please leave your suggestions in the comments (or message me) and include:

• Book title

• Author

• A link (if possible) to where the book can be purchased or found

• (Optional but welcome) A sentence or two about why you’re recommending it

For transparency: I’m not affiliated with any bookseller, and sharing a link does not imply endorsement of a particular retailer. The links simply help readers (and me) locate the book more easily.

Feel free to recommend more than one title.

What Happens Next

I’ll be gathering your recommendations over the coming months as I curate the 2026 Summer Reading List, which I plan to publish in mid-June. Where appropriate, I’ll credit readers whose suggestions are included.

Every year, some of the most meaningful additions to this list come from reader suggestions - often books I might never have discovered on my own.

With Thanks

Reading, like travel, is rarely a solitary act, even when done quietly. Thank you for sharing the books that have helped you better understand Portugal, wherever you happen to be reading from.

I’m looking forward to seeing where your recommendations take us.

Warmly,
Carol

Last year’s Summer Reading List…