From racy thrillers to lush fiction rooted in place, broadcaster and editor Georgina Godwin joins forces with her brother, acclaimed author and foreign correspondent Peter Godwin, to share 10 essential reads that span the continents and cultures where COMO Hotels and Resorts operates.
Georgina Godwin
Zimbabwe-born Georgina is the Book Editor at Monocle Radio, where she hosts Meet the Writers and The Globalist. She’s a veteran broadcaster and literary interviewer, and was a founder member of Zimbabwe’s first independent radio station, as well as of the Harare International Festival of the Arts.
Peter Godwin
Peter is an award-winning author and journalist, writing for The Sunday Times, National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, and others. He grew up in Zimbabwe, and now lives in New York. His most recent book, Exit Wounds: A Story of Love, Loss and Occasional Wars – published in 2024 by Canongate Books, is a memoir about family, identity, and finding your way home.
Turks and Caicos
The Last Resort, by Marissa Stapley, is set in the luxurious Harmony Resort, where celebrity therapists promise hope for struggling marriages. The story follows two couples as they navigate their troubled relationships against the stunning backdrop of the Turks and Caicos islands. The resort becomes a place of secrets and revelations as a deadly tropical storm traps everyone on the island, with only their fractious spouses for company...
Bhutan
I once accompanied a British mountaineering expedition in a futile attempt to be the first to climb the peak, Gangkhar Puensum, in the diminutive kingdom of Bhutan, the real Shangri La. Gangkhar Puensum remains the world’s highest unclimbed mountain (at 24,836 feet), to this day. Unlike us, The Circle of Karma, an autobiographical novel by Kunzang Choden, did achieve a first: the first novel written by a Bhutanese woman. It follows the life of a young Bhutanese woman who eventually becomes a Buddhist nun.
Bangkok
Bangkok 8, by John Burdett, takes you far from the city experienced by most tourists. Part of Royal Thai Detective Novels series, it’s a tightly plotted thriller set in the dark underbelly of Bangkok. The novel follows Thai detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep, a devout Buddhist, as he investigates the murder of a US Marine found in a locked Mercedes filled with drug-crazed cobras and a giant python.
Perth
Tim Winton, a Perth native, has been named a National Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia for his contribution to the country’s literature (he’s authored 29 books by my count, and many awards, including a Booker). Cloudstreet is a fine example of his oeuvre. The novel follows the lives of two working-class families who share a large house in Perth over two decades as the city transforms. Winton challenges several Ozzie cultural myths, including the idea of Australia as ‘the lucky country.’
Maldives
One of the most unusual book festivals I ever performed at was Hay Maldives. Sadly, it proved a one off. I do, however, have a souvenir photo posing with Ian McEwan in a palm frond gazebo. The island we saw was a far cry from the one featured in Gatecrashing Paradise: Misadventures in the Real Maldives by Tom Chesshyre. He goes beyond glossy brochures of the luxurious resorts and patronises instead simple guest houses, traveling by the cargo ships and local ferries that ply between the 1,200 islands making up this Indian Ocean archipelago.
Bali
Melbourne-born Janet de Neefe moved to Bali in her twenties and made Ubud her home. In Fragrant Rice, she shares her life through the food she loves, blending recipes with family stories and cultural insight. More than a cookbook, it’s a vibrant portrait of Bali, infused with warmth and enthusiasm. De Neefe’s deep connection to the island and its people offers readers a unique lens, enhancing appreciation for Balinese life, tradition, and flavour.
Tuscany
Anyone traveling to Tuscany should read Under the Tuscan Sun for its sensory immersion into the region’s beauty, culture, and rhythm of life. Frances Mayes captures Tuscany’s golden light, rustic food, and timeless charm through her journey of restoring a villa in Cortona. It’s not just about place, but transformation, offering readers a deeper emotional connection to the land and its people. This book enhances travel, providing warmth, authenticity, and poetic insight.
Burgundy
Set in a quiet Burgundian village, The Burgundy Briefcase by Peter Steiner blends small-town charm with international intrigue. Featuring a former CIA agent drawn into a suspenseful mystery, the novel mixes wit, atmosphere, and richly drawn characters. Steiner captures Burgundy’s slower rhythm, layered history, and eccentric locals with ease. It’s a compelling read for anyone craving a unique perspective on rural France one that goes beyond wine and scenery to uncover secrets hiding in plain sight.
Singapore
The Singapore Story by Lee Kuan Yew offers a compelling look into the nation’s transformation from a struggling colony to a thriving global hub. Written by the country’s founding father, the book delves into Singapore's political, economic, and social evolution. Lee’s personal insights into leadership, nation-building, and overcoming challenges provide readers with a deeper understanding of the country’s success. It’s an important read for anyone seeking to grasp the essence of Singapore’s remarkable journey.
London
White Teeth by Zadie Smith is a brilliant exploration of London’s multicultural identity, making it ideal for anyone holidaying in the city. Through its richly drawn characters and interwoven stories, the novel reflects the complexities of modern London life, touching on themes of immigration, family, and cultural clashes. Smith's sharp wit and vivid descriptions will deepen your understanding of the city's diverse communities, offering a thoughtful perspective as you explore its streets and neighborhoods.
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