Top Ten Tuesday (TTT) brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish.

I’m a day late and a dollar short, but here’s this week’s TTT!

July 19: Ten Books Set Outside the US.

Oh, man. I saw this topic and thought piece of cake. I do read books set in the US. BUT my favorite books to read are ones that take place in the United Kingdom. (Yes, I’m an Anglophile.)

But then I thought, bor-ing.

I mean, while I gravitate towards British Mysteries, I really like to try and mix up my TTT list here at Hidden Staircase. So, for a real challenge this week, I have BANNED books set in both the United States AND the United Kingdom. That’s right. Banned.

Ten Books Set Outside Both the US AND the UK.

Challenge accepted.  Shall we?

Australia

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. Ms. Moriarty is my go-to author right now. And the audio versions of her books are fantastic. I’m listening to my third Liane Moriarty book right now. Of the two I’ve completed (both wonderful) Big Little Lies is my favorite. She takes on serious topics, but the book is filled with humor. And the mystery of what exactly happened at that school trivia night will keep you turning pages. Oh, calamity.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. One of my favorite books that I read (listened to) last year. I truly was laughing out loud. Funny and heartfelt. I know I put this in a lot of TTT lists, but this book really is that good. If you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for?

Canada

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley. Flavia de Luce mysteries are typically at her home in 1950’s England. But in this outing, we find that Flavia has been banished from Buckshaw and shipped overseas to a girls boarding school in Canada. Of course budding chemist Flavia cannot stay out of trouble, and naturally an old skeleton falls out of the chimney in her room. Let the deducing commence.

France

The Bookseller by Mark Pryor. The first in the Hugo Marston series. Hugo is an American in Paris, an agent at the American Embassy. He has become friends with a local bookseller, and becomes drawn into a mystery when his friend is kidnapped before his eyes.

Gibraltar

A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear. Okay, I snuck a British mystery in here. But this one takes place in Gibraltar, while Maisie is still nursing a terribly broken heart and figuring out where her life is headed.

Italy

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. Originally published in 1922, this classic brings together four women of varying ages and circumstance for a month long holiday at a castle in Italy. In this beautiful setting, they grow both as individuals and as a group.

Sweden

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. This seems to be a “love it” or “hate it” series. It started out slow, but I ended up loving it. I found the characters interesting, and it was one I hated to put down once the story picked up.

The Farm by Tom Rob Smith. Really liked the way Mr. Smith set this story up. The story seamlessly goes back and forth from Daniel’s POV to his mother telling her story of the events that occurred over the summer. The writing style pulled me right in, and was a page turner. Is his mother crazy? Did a conspiracy really occur in their small Swedish town?

International

The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry. Mr. Berry is one of my favorite thriller writers out there. He is the master of what I like to call “History with a Twist.” His books are based on 80%-90% fact, and he just gets a little twist of fiction in there, and the novel and intrigue take off. This international thriller finds Cotton Malone in Germany, France, and Antarctica.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Normally not my typical read, a hauntingly beautiful tale set during WWII.Primarily in France, but also in Germany as well.

Whew. I made it. Now it’s your turn! Recommend a book that takes place outside of the US, and link up to your own TTT if you’ve got one!