Top Ten Tuesday- Underwater Hotels, Morocco, and the Central Valley

First off, a huge thanks to Kristin at Designer Blogs for my new look. Long overdue!

This week The Broke and the Bookish are asking us where we would like to see more books set. I know there are books that take place in each of the places below (especially those in their own language), I just don't know them.

1. Normal, blue-collar, workplace environments- I've frequently thought about writing a book about a group of people who work at, say, a grocery store or hair salon. The dynamics would be interesting to explore.

[source]
2. California's Central Valley- Obviously I'm a bit biased here, since that's where I grew up, but who doesn't get excited when they see their hometown mentioned in a book? It's such a different world from what people normally think when they consider California- it's more of a midwest feel.

3. Southern California (not including Los Angeles or the beach areas)- I hate that people assume that when you say you live in Southern California you're just a hop, skip, and a jump away from palm trees and the Pacific. It's not all fun in the sun, let me tell you that.

4. The Desert- Whenever I drive to Vegas I'm always intrigued by the tiny little towns (or even just random trailers) out in the middle of absolutely nowhere. There's something mysterious about desert life and the people that choose to seclude themselves in the heat and sand. 

5. Scandinavia- Other than The Millenium series, I'd like to find some great book set in Norway, Sweden, or Finland. Sometimes I think that because Scandinavia seems to have their shit together the rest of the world forgets about them.

[Source; Blue Lagoon Geothermal Pools, Iceland]
6. Iceland- I've heard it's amazing, but know very little besides the whole "Iceland is green and Greenland is icy" thing. I know they have some great geothermal pools and unique music, but that's about it. 

7. Dubai- I find the excessive riches of the city-state fascinating, in terms of what they do... and don't do with their wealth. 

8. An Underwater Hotel- How do they get down there? Do people ever spaz out? What happens if there's an earthquake/volcanic eruption/tsunamis? 

[source; El Minzah Hotel, Tangier]
9. Morocco- Something about Morocco seems a little rough, a little mysterious, and a little mystical. I would definitely read some quality Moroccan magical realism. 

10. Restaurants: I spent a few summers working in restaurants during college and know first-hand what can go on between the staff and customers. Now that I've learned to appreciate food and become interested in the actual management required of opening a new place, I'd love to see a well-written book look at it from both the food and personnel sides.

Know any great books set in the above locales? What setting would you like to see more of?

21 comments:

  1. Awesome selection of places Christine! Iceland is definitely a place I'd love to see more of in lit; funny that you mentioned it too, my parents recently booked their vaca and one of the places they're going to is Iceland...lucky!

    Here's my 10 places for this week's TTT =) Love your new layout here btw =)

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  2. Oooh, for Scandinavia you should check out Valkyrie Rising, which is in Norway for much of the book!

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  3. I would love to see a book set in an underwater hotel, that would be such a great setting! :) My TTT list: http://aliceinreaderland.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/settings/

    Alice @ Alice in Readerland

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  4. I didn't even think of Scandinavia, but I definitely agree. In fact all of these look really interesting. Great picks.

    Here's mine

    ~Danica Page

    Taking It One Page at a Time

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  5. a restaurant setting would be super fun. And an underwater hotel I totally want to read about that!

    Marissa @ Rae Gun Ramblings

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  6. Such a huge variety of places! I couldn't narrow down mine so specifically, but I did include a blanket "anywhere not in America."

    The underwater hotel idea is fantastic! Especially with the idea of claustrophobia or an apocalyptic event.

    Bekka
    Pretty Deadly Reviews

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  7. Restaurants is a top suggestion (and I agree!). Have you read Laura Dave's 'The First Husband'? It has a GREAT restaurant 'seduction' scene.

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  8. If your interested in a book with a restaurant setting, I'd suggest Sarah Dessen's What Happened to Goodbye. It doesn't play a huge role in the story, but the MC's Dad works fixing up run down restaurants.

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  9. An underwater hotel would be SO COOL! I would never, ever want to stay there because I would definitely freak out, but it'd be such an awesome setting for a story! Plus I'm fascinated by Morocco and Iceland and would really enjoy books set there.

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  10. I should say something really intelligent about your cool list, but I'm too distracted by how pretty your blog looks. I like it!*

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  11. Are there underwater hotels? If not, there should be!

    Here’s my Top Ten Settings. Come by, if you can, and share your thoughts.

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  12. Love the new look! It really caught my eye!
    Also, I nominated you for a Liebster award! Come check out my blog for details and email me for your list of questions when you have a second, kayla_james@me.com

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  13. Great list! (And I agree that your blog is lovely!). I also said underwater - but I didn't think of all the BAD things that could happen there, especially if you're trapped. YIKES! I also agree that it is so fun to read books set in your own backyard. And Iceland seems pretty cool. I'd love to visit there as well.

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  14. Yes for California books! Anything but LA -- you're right, so many people immediately think Hollywood and LA when they think about California, but there are so many great books set in other areas. (I'd take Northern over Southern, but I guess that's because I live in SF and love to head to Tahoe or Yosemite. Are there any novels set around Tahoe??) Nice list!

    Lisa
    My TTT

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  15. great list! - love your #1 - i would love to read a book where the characters work at like a grocery store or something. lol

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  16. Love your list, especially numbers one and ten. I've worked in quite a few restaurants myself.

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  17. Restaurants would be cool, I think of the beginning of Taylor Swift's music video of "Mine." So yes please! Love the list.

    My TTT: http://blueskyshelf.blogspot.com/2013/01/top-ten-tuesday-settings-id-like-to-see.html

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  18. I worked at several locations of a grocery chain all through high school and college. Definitely a good setting for lots of interpersonal relationship drama! The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey is partially set in Iceland. I can't say I really recommend it though. I found it a mediocre retelling of Jane Eyre.

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  19. I nominated you for a Liebster Award! :D Check it out: http://thebookbanner.blogspot.com/2013/01/liebster-blog-award.html

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  20. Amazing display in this article i loved the way how writer described the whole thing in one article i have one more post just like this check this one also Wonders of the world - funklist

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