At Books and Bao, you’ll find recommendations for diverse literature — from queer writers to books in translation — as well as unique travel guides, delicious culinary experiences, tattoo guides, and manga recommendations.
Cultural & Literary Travel
Explore the most beautiful heritage buildings and historic and artistic places worldwide with curiosity and heart.
A Native Angeleno’s Guide to the Best 9 Bookstores in LA
While film and television may dominate the city, Los Angeles…
Gladstone’s Library: The Hotel Library in Wales You Have to Visit
Hidden in a quaint village by the name of Hawarden…
Read more of our cultural and literary travel pieces.
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow”
Latest Book Reviews and Lists
Read Books and Bao’s reviews of translated literature, author spotlights, essays, and translator interviews to discover something new.
10 Kafkaesque Novels to Mess with Your Mind
The concept of the “kafkaesque” is often poorly defined and…
15 Unmissable Fantasy Books by Women
The women of fantasy are always pushing the boundaries of…
10 Transgressive Books by Weird Women
This is the era of the weird woman! Sad girls…
14 Must-Read Japanese Mystery Novels (Honkaku)
It’s often the great European and American mystery writers of…
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” If you want to know a country, read its writers”
Food and Drink
Discover delicious foods, food guides, and the best bars and restaurants around the world.
Japanese Damascus Kitchen Knives: Everything You Need to Know
Japanese Damascus kitchen knives are not just functional instruments; these…
11 Types of Japanese Tea & How to Brew Them (+ Tea Culture Books)
Delve into the fascinating history of tea in Japan, the…
Read Our Latest Food and Drink Articles
” I think food, culture, people and landscape are all absolutely inseparable.”
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