Stories Set in Asia and the Pacific Islands

Last updated: July 17, 2025

It's not always possible to travel in person, but reading a book set in another country can be the next best thing! As the largest continent on Earth, Asia is home to a vast diversity of countries and cultures. And while there are thousands of miles between them, the Pacific Islands number over 30,000. This list isn't exhaustive when it comes to the many countries and cultures found in these areas, but the books here are a great place to start your next literary getaway. Make a splash in the Pacific Islands with books set in New Zealand and Hawaii; travel to East Asia via stories found in China, Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan; explore Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, or Vietnam with books in Southeast Asian settings; visit South Asian story worlds by way of Afghanistan, India and Pakistan; or journey to West Asia through books set in Iran, Oman, Qatar, or Syria. Memoirs, fantasies, romances, folktales, and more—there's something here for everyone. For other great escapes, check out Books Inspired by Asian Folklore and Mythology.