Got the travel bug, but stuck at home? Join the club. For most of the world, 2020 has been lighter on travel than your average year. And now that it’s the holiday season, being stuck at home feels like even more of a bummer than it did the rest of the year. If you’re as hungry for travel as we are, we know you’re dying to get back out there and explore the world again. But since that’s just not possible, we're turning to BOOKS to bring us that travel thrill. Keep reading for 8 books that will take you on a trip without ever having to leave your house.

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

A book can take you anywhere you want to go, so why visit a richly-imagined fantasy world with a cunning, power-hungry heroine? Alessandra is tired of being overlooked so she comes up with a plan to get the power and attention she feels she so rightly deserves. All she has to do is woo the Shadow King, convince him to marry her, and then kill him so she can take over the kingdom. There’s just one small problem: Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. Will she be able to keep the Shadow King alive for long enough to marry him without falling in love with him for real?

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski

Travel to a lush and dangerous fantasy world in Marie Rutkoski's latest. While the world of The Midnight Lie might not be an ideal vacation spot, it's the perfect place to visit from the comfort of your coziest couch. Mystery, secret magic, crime, lies, class divides, forbidden romance, and more await in this brilliant LGBTQ+ fantasy. Start reading this series starter, meet Nirrim and Sid, and immerse yourself in this epic (and possibly familiar 😉) universe.    

As the Shadow Rises by Katy Rose Pool

As the Shadow Rises is the stunning sequel to Katy Rose Pool’s There Will Come a Darkness. Dive into this epic fantasy trilogy that vividly depicts a fantasy world where the wise consul of the Seven Prophets has disappeared, leaving the kingdom in an Age of Darkness. But a Prophet has been born that could very well be the world’s salvation from these dark times. In the second book in the series, kingdoms have begun to fall to a doomsday cult, and the Prophet sees destruction ahead.  

A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer

If you love a good alternate universe fantasy, then you’ll love Jeff VanderMeer’s A Peculiar Peril, the first book in the the Misadventures of Jonathan Lambshead duology. After Jonathan Lambshead’s elusive grandfather dies, the recently orphaned teenager inherits the family mansion—and its contents. Jonathan soon discovers that the mansion’s basement holds more than just oddities: three doors serve as portals, with one leading to an alt-Earth called Aurora, where magic abounds, history has been re-written, and an occult dictator called Aleister Crowley leads an army pillaging alt-Europe. Jonathan learns of his destiny as a member of The Order, a secret society devoted to keeping our world separate from Aurora, and embarks on an epic quest to protect Earth from Crowley’s dark magic.

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Travel to Ravka and beyond this holiday season with King of Scars. This shiny gold book is the first book in the King of Scars duology but the sixth book set in Leigh Bardugo expansive Grishaverse. It's also the book that finally gives Nikolai Lantsov the stage we all know he deserves. Unfortunately, King of Scars can't just be 500 pages of Nikolai living his best life so brace yourself for dark magic, rising threats, and tons of danger . . . 😱    

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

Ever wish you could travel to Wonderland? Try visiting a darker, more twisted version of the whimsical fantasy land in A Blade So Black. L.L. McKinney’s Alice lives in Atlanta and battles real-world problems such as an overprotective mom and a slipping GPA. But Alice faces much deadlier obstacles when she steps into the Nightmare-infested world of Wonderland.      

Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Looking for a book to read that's set somewhere completely new? Don't miss Marie Lu’s latest sci-fi, Skyhunter. Granted, Skyhunter takes place in a world ravaged by war, but if you're looking for a thrill to spice up your stay-at-home life, this is 100% the book for you.        

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Can you think of a more immersive and brilliant world to visit the one found in Children of Blood and Bone and Children of Virtue and Vengeance? Not only is Tomi Adeyemi's debut fantasy worth the visit on it's own merit, but the books are set in Orïsha, which just so happens to be inspired by West Africa. So if you dream of traveling to Africa, you'll probably enjoy this fantasy version to hold you over in the meantime.