With over 34 million TikTok posts, #BookTok has swept the world by storm, captivating people seeking their next literary adventure. As Americans flock to Europe in record numbers this summer, leaving their boring beach reads on the bookshelf, Trainline – Europe’s no.1 train ticket booking app – is transporting them to worlds unknown via its new summer book club, The Reading Route. train travel The Reading Route

Curated by Emma Roberts, co-founder of the viral online book club BELLETRIST, each of the 10 train reads selected by Roberts has roots in some of Trainline’s most booked European destinations, from London and Paris to Rome and Barcelona.

“Reading has always been transformative for me, and there’s nothing more exhilarating than losing yourself in a great book, especially while exploring picturesque towns and cities abroad,” said Roberts. “By partnering with Trainline, I was able to combine my passions for travel and reading to curate a diverse selection of train reads for lovers of all book genres. My goal is that people will find inspiration and excitement in these books and, perhaps, even draw inspiration for their next European adventure.”

Why Travel and Reading Are the Perfect Pair

There’s something undeniably romantic about losing yourself in a good book while gazing out of a train window. The world outside becomes a blur of green fields, quaint villages, and towering cathedrals, while the world within is a whirlwind of emotions, characters, and plot twists. It’s a symphony of senses, a perfect escape.

And then there’s the power of place. A book set in Paris can make you crave croissants and the Eiffel Tower. A novel based in Rome can ignite a desire to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. The Reading Route masterfully taps into this, offering a literary roadmap to some of Europe’s most enchanting destinations.

The Train: The Ultimate Literary Companion

Trains have always been synonymous with adventure, with journeys both physical and metaphorical. They offer a unique blend of solitude and connection, allowing you to lose yourself in a book while also being part of a larger story unfolding outside the window.

With The Reading Route, the train becomes more than just a mode of transport; it becomes a character in your literary journey. It’s the setting for stolen moments of escape, for deep dives into imagined worlds, and for the quiet contemplation that travel often inspires.

According to a recent Trainline survey, 25% of Europeans noted reading as their preferred train travel activity. Whether it’s a tear-jerking romance or a suspenseful thriller set on a European sleeper train, Roberts’ picks provide the perfect backdrop for a summer train journey abroad. Her top train reads include:

• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – Embark on European adventures through parallel lives in an endless library set in the UK.
• Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter – A globe-trotting love story beginning in an Italian coastal town.
• The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman – Set at a newspaper in Rome, this novel captures the essence of Italian life.
• A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway – Hemingway’s account of the high-spirited lives of American writers and artists living in Paris during the 1920s.
• The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith – A classic thriller set in Italy and other European locales.
• The Sleeper by Emily Barr – A suspenseful tale of a passionate affair on a European sleeper train.
• My Husband by Maud Ventura – A thrilling story of a French housewife romantically obsessed with her husband, exploring the lengths she’ll go to keep their love alive.
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – Set in post-war Barcelona, a mystery involving a rare book.
• The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy – Sally Jay Gorce frolics through Paris looking for adventure and excitement in the 1950s, ultimately finding more than she anticipated.
• Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo – Teeming with life and crackling with energy — a love song to modern Britain and black womanhood.

“There’s no better way to travel around Europe than by train, relaxing and losing yourself in a gripping read. As Americans turn to their bookshelves for travel inspiration this summer, with the help of Emma and her BELLETRIST community, we want to inspire a new audience of readers with their own European rail adventure. The vivid scenes described by these compelling authors inspire dreams of exciting train journeys across Europe, and at Trainline we can help people turn those dreams into reality,” said Jody Ford, CEO of Trainline.

Effortless Train Booking & Seamless Travel

Trainline offers bookings for over 270 rail and coach operators across 40 countries, with convenient dollar-denominated tickets for American travelers. Their user-friendly platform simplifies the process of finding the perfect train ticket that aligns with your budget and journey, while also providing real-time travel information throughout your European expedition. train travel The Reading Route