From Labubu, a line of ultra-popular collectible plush toys, to “delulu,” a modern slang word for “delusional,” social media can play a big role in shaping today’s trends and behaviors. And, with the rise of niche communities like “BookTok” and “Bookstagram,” it’s become evident that apps and online spaces are encouraging people to return to one of humanity’s most time-honored hobbies: reading awesome books.
Whether they’re reaching for an e-reader, audiobook or classic paperback, reading is officially cool again — to which unwavering bibliophiles might counter, “when was it ever not?” Millions of people are flocking to the Internet to talk about their rekindled love for turning pages. From “romantasy” — the combination of romance and fantasy — to thrillers and beyond, the ongoing reading craze has been so influential that the Association of American Publishers officially acknowledged it in 2024, stating that the group enjoyed an 18% jump in revenue sales across all categories YOY in comparison to 2023.
As their “to be read (TBR)” lists continue growing, so do bookworms’ aspirations to experience the pastime in new ways. In fact, according to 2025 research from Eventbrite, an American live events marketplace and website, events surrounding hobbies and interests are forging strong communities in real life, with the company citing “Read and Run Chicago,” a book-slash-running club, as a prime example of the movement in its TRNDS 2025 report.
People are looking to travel to take their recreational reading to the next level, too. Luckily, the industry has an aptly named niche to fit the bill: literary tourism. Appropriately something of a “choose your own adventure” style of travel, literary tourism might mean heading to places that mirror the descriptions found between the pages of beloved titles, or it can mean visiting real-life destinations and attractions with a well-honed bookish past — or present. It’s an exciting prospect, and an unforgettable way for avid readers to blur the lines between fiction and reality.
A Nod to the Classics
When discussing literary tourism, where better to start than with the classics? Literary classics, that is. From Shakespeare and Dickens to Hemingway and Conan Doyle, each of these renowned authors has ties to destinations across the pond that make for an excellent source of travel inspiration for readers. Whether they dream of spending an afternoon walking the “Alice in Wonderland” themed trail in Wales, catching a show at The Globe Theatre in London, exploring Jane Austen’s childhood stomping grounds in England or embarking on a train journey to Oxford, the former home of literary icons J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis Carroll and C.S. Lewis, Great Britain, and Europe at large, present seemingly endless opportunities to interact with celebrated writing around every corner.
While there are many transatlantic destinations and attractions that are certain to pique book lovers’ interests, some are worthy of a shoutout all their own. Take for instance Hay-on-Wye, a tiny Welsh market town that’s earned the nickname “The Town of Books” thanks to the 30+ unique bookshops that line its charming streets. Dating to the Middle Ages, Hay-on-Wye became the “World’s First Book Town” in the 1960s and remains a utopia for readers today, as visitors can spend hours on end browsing shelves in search of rare finds, including secondhand and antiquarian titles.
“Shopping in Hay-on-Wye is fun,” said Cathryn Summerhayes, a literary agent based in London, on the Visit Wales website. “Of course, the town is famed for its many bookshops. Most people talk about the beautifully restored Richard Booth’s Books, but some of the smaller businesses are worth a mention, too. Stella & Rose's Books specialises in rare and out-of-print children’s books and is a wonderful place to buy gifts or just to wallow in nostalgia. Also hard to resist is Murder and Mayhem, the crime and horror bookshop, with two floors of classic detective and mystery novels.”
Another fascinating spot for bibliophiles is the Bodleian Libraries in Oxfordshire, England, a mind-blowing collection of 26 libraries housing 13 million+ printed items — including a copy of every book published in the United Kingdom — on the University of Oxford campus. The sheer amount of material is almost unfathomable, and travelers can catch a glimpse of the impressive assemblage for themselves when they tour the libraries which are open to visitors seven days a week.
“The Bodleian Libraries offer an unforgettable experience for anyone passionate about history, literature, or architecture,” said Hayley Beer-Gamage, CEO of Experience Oxfordshire, the lead destination partner for the region. “As one of Europe’s oldest libraries, its stunning buildings and world-class collections — including original manuscripts by Shakespeare, Tolkien, Shelley, and Austen — reflect over 400 years of academic heritage. With iconic film locations like the Radcliffe Camera and Duke Humfrey’s Library, and a year-round programme of guided tours and exhibitions, it’s a unique way to explore the heart of Oxford’s cultural legacy.”
Where Fiction Comes Alive
“Fiction is not just a pastime—it’s a fundamental way in which we learn, empathize, and make sense of the world,” said Aditi Subramaniam, Ph.D., in an article in Psychology Today. “We live in a time of heightened stress, shrinking attention spans, and digital distractions. Amid this, fiction offers a unique form of engagement—one that slows us down, deepens our capacity for empathy, and fosters resilience.”
It’s true that anyone who’s read a powerful work of fiction can attest to how impactful the top-level genre can be. And, in 2025, the category of literature remains ever popular with big-name works like “Sunrise the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins, “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros and “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden topping the bestseller charts, according to Publishers Weekly.
With how popular fiction is, it’s no surprise destinations and attractions with connections to prevailing works are eager to capitalize on their success through guided tours and DIY itineraries — and book lovers are here for it! Whether readers compile a personal list of “destination dupes” for places described in treasured fantastical lands or aspire to explore landmarks and sights made famous by film adaptations of their favorite paperbacks, travel helps bring what was once purely imaginary to life.
Fantasy
In the fantasy realm, contemporary classics like “Harry Potter,” “The Lord of the Rings” and “Twilight” are no strangers to bookworms’ vacation wish lists, presenting plenty of opportunities for travel crossover in Britain, New Zealand and Washington state, respectively. From snapping photos in front of Hobbit holes and marveling at the real “Mount Doom” in New Zealand to spending the night at Bella Swan’s house in Forks, WA, and exploring the hundreds of filming sites featured in the “Harry Potter” film franchise across the UK, readers can do it all.
Of course, for modern fantasy fans, it’s all about “A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR),” a fictional saga accounting for 75 million copies sold worldwide as of 2025, according to author Sarah J. Mass. A tale of war, whimsical worlds and hunky, bloodthirsty fairies, the ACOTAR books have diehard fans daydreaming of vacations inspired by their realms, including “Prythian,” which is rumored to resemble Britain; “Hybern,” aka Ireland; and “Cretea,” which fans theorize is the series’ version of modern Greece.
Science Fiction
While the coastal city of Florence, Oregon, did, indeed, inspire Frank Herbert to pen his cult classic science fiction novel, “Dune,” travelers won’t need to worry about attracting any gargantuan sandworms should they choose to visit this unique destination. The former site of a looming “dune invasion,” Herbert’s vision for the otherworldly epic began taking shape after he was sent to report on the encroaching sand threat in the 1950s. Luckily, the story had a happy ending as, while it seemed the unyielding grains would take everything in their path, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service swooped in to save the day with a historic terraforming project, confining their movements. Today, those same restless sands are part of Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, North America’s largest coastal dunes, and the closest it gets to visiting Arrakis — “Dune’s” desert planet — as Herbert envisioned it.
Historical Fiction
A long-standing favorite among historical fiction enthusiasts, James Clavell’s “Shōgun” was a smash hit from the start, instantly transporting readers to the Land of the Samurai and accounting for millions of copies sold since its debut in 1975. In addition to the book’s smashing success with the public, the story inspired several TV shows, including the recent release of FX’s “Shōgun” in 2024. As far as travel goes, the novel laid the groundwork for a variety of guided tours and DIY itineraries, taking vacationers to some of Japan’s top sights like Osaka Castle with its striking architecture and sprawling gardens, the Izu Peninsula with its fabulous hot springs and dramatic landscapes, Mt. Omuro and Mt. Fuji, two of the country’s most famed natural attractions, and Sekigahara, the historic battle site where the future of Japan was decided on October 21, 1600.
Orginally appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of The Compass magazine
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