As summer shimmers into view, thoughts naturally turn to what books to read on our holidays. Irish people living abroad have got a bit of a head start perhaps on those of us at home when it comes to choosing books, whether fiction or nonfiction, that get under the skin of the country they are living in.

Maybe you live in Barcelona and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon captures its spirit like no other. Or your home is in San Francisco and would recommend Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas by Rebecca Solnit.

So we are asking you to recommend to us, in 100 words or fewer, a book or two that you really liked that captures something of the spirit of the city or country where you live. Why did you like it? What does it mean to you? Answers on an email please by July 4th to bookclub@irishtimes.com