Hello! This week has been a bit of a struggle for me after being on holiday last week. It has, however, given me the chance to catch up on all the reading I missed out on while I was travelling the Scottish Highlands.

This weeks Top 5 Saturday is all about books with maps! Now this one is going to be incredible hard to narrow down due to the amount of books that include maps nowadays… and they’re all sooooo pretty. A map makes a huge difference for me reading a book. I find myself flicking back to it when the author describes different parts of their worlds, making it easier for me to get the ‘geography’ right. Do you like maps being included in books, and if so why?

This idea was originally created by Mandy @Devouring Books big thanks to Mandy for hosting and introducing me to so many other book bloggers and this tag! Please see the September prompts below.

I had to include this one because the map is on the cover! And what a cover it is. Despite this being a well know area due to the wonder that is Robin Hood. Moyer still manages to include some new places, and through the eyes of Maid Marion makes them so much more magical. I thoroughly enjoyed this gender bent follow on story. If you’re looking for a beautifully written story, that includes some well known characters and some new ones you cant help but love, then this is the book for you.

Anyone who has read Jay Kristoffs Nevernight series will know this map like the back of their hand. World building is one thing this man does effortlessly & it is helped by the amazing maps that are included in his books. I mean just look at the detail in this one… it is so beautifully drawn. But don’t be fooled by the pretty map, the story inside is far from pretty. But if you like kick ass anti-heroes, animal sidekicks (kinda) and lots and lots of blood and gore, then this is the series for you.

This map is as beautiful, big and detailed as the book it belongs to… Priory of the Orange Tree. Shannon’s effortless world building make this map almost defunct, however it is stunningly rendered and I spent a good few minutes just staring at it before I started reading the book. Don’t be put off by the size of this one, once you start I promise you you will have no problem flying through the pages.

I mean, do I really have to tell you which series this is from? Ok then, its Six of Crows by the magical Leigh Bardugo. Another writer whose world building makes a map seem almost pointless. But just look at it… I’m beyond happy this was created. She has written such a magical world it was a pleasure being able to see it on page. This is probably one of my favourite bookish maps ever, and I think a lot of that is down to the fact of how much I love these books.

I’m pretty sure I can say this is my favourite literary map of all time! Tolkien not only writes a world other authors would kill to create, but he also manages to creates different races, each with their own culture and languages. This is a series that will always remain at the peak of fantasy and for good reason.

So there you have it! Those are my 5 favourite maps from books. There are soooo many more out there, in fact I pretty much love ANY book that has a map in it. What is you’re favourite literary map? Let me know in the comments.