Read Your Way Through Southeast Asia

Summer is just about here, and for many of us, that means our thoughts turn to travel. You may be dreaming of a trip to some exotic destination (“White Lotus,” anyone?), though many of us may have to settle for something a bit more local or virtual.

If Southeast Asia is on your radar, a book (or two) for armchair traveling will cost much less than an actual trip, and it’s sure to be a lot less hassle. So, read on — first stop, Thailand.

Thailand is known for its fabulous beaches, and Alex Garland’s gripping backpacking adventure “The Beach” will put you right there: a lagoon hidden from the sea, with white sand and coral gardens, freshwater falls surrounded by jungle, plants untouched for a thousand years. Rumor has it that a carefully selected group of expats have settled there in a communal Eden. But our guide to this paradise, a 20-something named Richard, soon learns Beach culture has troubling, even deadly, undercurrents. According to The New York Times, Garland’s writing really captures the sense of place, “deftly, he uses real-life travel details — smells, optical effects, quirks of language, social rituals — to keep the reader’s disbelief at bay.”

Get off the beach and wind your way through the streets of one of the world’s most exotic cities in “Bangkok 8” by John Burdett. In this thriller with attitude to spare, a charismatic Marine sergeant is murdered under a bridge, and among the witnesses are the only two honest cops in town. Within minutes, one of them is killed, and his partner is hell-bent on revenge. People magazine says, “Like Thai cuisine, Burdett’s comic thriller blends spicy, sour, salty and sweet — and makes for a delicious wake-up for jaded palates.”

And speaking of Thai food, if you want a taste of the real thing, you don’t have to travel far. Just head to Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood and check out Kalaya. You’ll fall head over heels, just like I did. Now you can cook like Chef/owner Nok Suntaranon. Grab a copy of her cookbook, “Kalaya’s Southern Thai Kitchen.” This is authentic Thai cooking — but with instructions that are easy, and she includes beginner-friendly tips and suggested recipe pairings — all aimed at home cooks, so you can get your Thai on in your own kitchen.

Vietnam is also a popular travel destination these days, but that wasn’t always the case, thanks to the Vietnam War. Want to know what it was like back in the day? National Book Award Winner Alice McDermott has written a poignant tale of American women and girls living in Saigon who try to “do good” for the people there. Her book, “Absolution,” explores the question — Is a good deed really for the recipient or for yourself?

“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong is a letter from a son to a mother who can’t read. Written when the speaker, Little Dog, is in his late 20s, the letter details a family history rooted in Vietnam and gives his mom a look at parts of his life that she’s never known. My colleague Evan Wang is a fan, describing this book as “violent and honest. This novel blends poetry and prose. It’s a series of letters written to the main character’s illiterate mother. Written by one of the most prolific poets of our time, this book made me feel more real.”

Want to dive into the country’s backstory? In “Vietnam: A New History,” Christopher Goscha reaches back to antiquity to show us how the country was shaped by emperors, rebels, priests and colonizers. The bloody Cold War-era conflict between Ho Chi Minh’s Communist-backed Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the American-backed Republic of Vietnam was the most recent instance when war divided and transformed Vietnam — but it certainly wasn’t the first.

Want to eat like you’re in Vietnam? You can do it with ease thanks to Uyen Luu and her book “Vietnamese Vegetarian.” From quick dishes like sweet potato noodles with roasted fennel and sweetheart cabbage or omelette banh mi, to dishes fit for a king such as mushroom and tofu pho, there’s a huge array of choices for any occasion, including dessert. Once you taste these delicate flavors, you’ll want to know even more.

Want to dive deeper into these enticing countries? Hit up your local independent bookstore. There’s plenty more where these came from.

Shelley Laurence is a bookseller at Main Point Books, an independent bookstore with a handpicked selection for every member of the family. Check out their events, book groups and children’s activities at MainPointBooks.com or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Order online for delivery or pickup. 484-580-6978; 116 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne.