Bali’s mysticism and charm have mesmerized the world and always stood out among all the spice islands and was a popular tourist destination long before direct flights were a thing.
Over the last century, countless movies and books were created and translated into many languages, promoting unique Balinese life and the natural beauty of the island.
If you love reading with a cup of coffee or packed your Kindle for the trip, here are some amazing books about Bali that you should check out (and it is not the Lonely Planet guide)!
Best Books About Bali You Should Read
Island of Bali by Miguel Covarrubias
Island of Bali, first published in 1937, is considered one of the most insightful books about Bali, its people, and culture. It is one of the top literature recommendations from us.
It offers a detailed look into the daily life, art, religion, and Balinese people’s customs based on his firsthand experience – a “bird’s-eye view of Balinese life and culture”.
Bali Dance, Drama, and Music by I Wayan Dibia and Rucina Ballinger
This beautifully illustrated book with more than 200 photos and watercolour illustrations explains the history behind each art form, from the sacred Legong dance to the shadow puppets of Wayang Kulit, and the role it plays in Balinese life and religious ceremonies.
Will be a great read if you’re planning to visit the Uluwatu temple and the famous Kecak fire dance show.
Monumental Bali by A.J. Bernet Kempers
If you love history and real factual information and want to explore Bali beyond lying on the beach, Monumental Bali is a must-read.
Kempers takes you on a journey through Bali’s most fascinating ancient sites, from the mysterious Elephant Cave near Ubud to the breathtaking Mother Temple at Besakih.
If you are a bit geeky, like us, you will absolutely love the detailed maps, site diagrams, and old photos of Bali in this book.
A Brief History Of Bali by Willard A. Hanna
A Brief History of Bali is a great starting point to learn more about historical events that shaped Bali.
This book traces the island’s past, from ancient times to its first encounters with the Dutch in 1597 and the modern-day challenges of balancing tradition with ever-growing tourism.
The author included countless photos to support the storyline and get a glimpse of how the island used to look like.
The Gods of Bali by Markus Krauße
A must-read if you want to learn more about Balinese Hinduism which is still worshipping ancestors and nature.
Markus Krauße answers common questions that many tourists have like the meaning behind daily offerings, the role of different gods, and how to behave in a temple.
The book also explores unique Balinese ceremonies and rites of passage like the tooth-filing ritual, the fire dance, and the mesmerizing sounds of the gamelan orchestra.
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Part travel memoir, part soul-searching journey, iconic Eat, Pray, Love follows Elizabeth Gilbert as she leaves behind her seemingly perfect life to find herself across three countries: Italy, India, and Bali (Indonesia).
Gilbert’s writing is honest, funny, and deeply personal, making this book a favourite among female solo travellers.
To be fair, Eat Pray Love came long after so many amazing books about Bali that it definitely shouldn’t be the only book you’ll read about Bali.
A Little Bit One O’clock by William Ingram
For anyone curious about what it’s like to truly live in Bali—not just visit—A Little Bit One O’Clock is a perfect book, or more so expat memoirs.
William and Jean Ingram arrive as a backpackers couple but soon find themselves fully immersed in Balinese family life.
The book also highlights the couple’s later work in reviving traditional Balinese textile weaving, now showcased at the Threads of Life gallery in Ubud.
Earth Dance by Oka Rusmini
Published in 2000, Earth Dance is a powerful novel that dives deep into the everyday life and struggles of Balinese women, torn between tradition, beauty, and personal freedom.
Told through the eyes of Telaga, a beautiful woman who dares to marry for love rather than status, the story touches on the traditional views of family, societal pressure and expectations, and the rigid caste system that defines women’s roles in Bali.
Island Secrets by Alwin Blum
Bali may look like paradise, but beneath the postcard-perfect beaches and serene temples, Island Secrets reveals a dark side reality—one filled with longing, deception, and broken dreams.
Alwin Blum’s collection of stories follows expats and travellers of various backgrounds who arrive on the island in search of reinvention, adventure, or escape, only to find themselves tangled in affairs or even in prison.
Bali: A Paradise Created by Adrian Vickers
What makes the island so special, and how has it evolved under the weight of global fascination? Bali: A Paradise Created dives deep into the island’s history, culture, and the outsiders who have shaped—and been shaped by—it.
Adrian Vickers blends history, anthropology, and travel writing and even though the book was originally published in 1989, it remains impressively modern and accurate!
Hotel Kerobokan by Kathryn Bonella
If you like skin-crawling stories, Hotel K aka Hotel Kerobokan – a book about Bali’s most notorious prison is what you need.
The book exposes the nightmare-like reality of a corrupt world where drug trade lords, petty criminals, and the lives of unlucky tourists are all tied together.
What we found fascinating is the real-life accounts of former inmates. And, by the way, the prison is still functioning.
Snowing In Bali by Kathryn Bonella
For all fans of true crime and organized crime thrillers on Netflix, Snowing in Bali is another captivating biography to read about drug trafficking in the country.
In the book, the secret phrase “it’s snowing in Bali” signals the arrival of a huge cocaine shipment, setting off wild parties, extravagant lifestyles, and risky deals.
Bonella details how Bali’s tourist boom and culture of corruption have turned the island into a hub for international drug empires.
The Paradise Guest House by Ellen Sussman
The Paradise Guest House is a moving and light story about love, self-healing, and finding peace in unexpected places.
Jamie, the book’s protagonist and American adventure guide, travels to Bali for a dream vacation but is caught in the devastating nightclub bombings. A year later, she returns to Bali seeking closure and hopes to reconnect with Gabe, the man who helped her after the attack.
Love And Death In Bali by Vicki Baum (also known as A Tale from Bali)
Love and Death in Bali is a powerful and dark novel set during the Dutch invasion and colonial life of Bali in the early 1900s. It focuses on the tragic Puputan, the mass suicides that marked the end of Bali’s old way of life.
Baum brings to life the stories of Balinese people from impulsive youths and casteless peasants to Balinese royalty and feudal lords who all unite against foreign aggression.
The battles symbolize resistance, as they face certain death in a desperate effort to protect their culture and traditions.
A House in Bali by Colin McPhee
A House in Bali is a very passionate memoir by Canadian composer Colin McPhee. During his Bali trip in the 1930s, he became obsessed, in a good way, with Balinese gamelan music for the next decade.
You will get a glimpse of how Balinese people while being poor in material wealth, were incredibly rich in spirituality and artistic expression.
However, it isn’t just a book about music, everyone who loves travel and stories about culture will enjoy reading it.
Under the Volcano: A Story of Bali by Cameron Forbes
Under the Volcano by Cameron Forbes combines life stories and historical accounts, covering Bali’s difficult history.
Through the personal stories of native Balinese and foreign settlers, Forbes goes through the key events of the past century like the ritual suicides, the bloody massacres of 1965-66, the bombings of 2002 and 2005, to the emergence of the jihadist network on the island.
Balilicious – The Bali Diaries by Becky Wicks
What starts as an Eat Pray Life quest soon turns into a whirlwind of odd adventures. Along the way, she dives into shipwrecks, faces possessed teens, and even dabbles in black magic and demons – just like many of us do 😉
The story covers six months of adventures, so it can be a great book for someone staying long-term and looking for inner peace or learning yogic headstands.
Sekala and Niskala by Fred Eiseman
One of our team’s favourite books about Bali. Packed with the tiniest details and stories about rituals, traditions, meaning of architectural details and all of that with mention of specific terms Balinese people use to describe them.
Sekala and Niskala is a must-read for anyone serious about understanding Bali’s rich cultural and spiritual landscape as it encapsulates the 28 years of Fred Eiseman’s living here.
History of Bali by Captivating History
History of Bali is a great introduction to the fascinating history of this Indonesian island and is easier to read for non-history geeks travelling around Southeast Asia.
Learn how Balinese culture, art, and Hinduism have survived over millennia, despite foreign influence. Discover the island’s role in the Maritime Silk Road, its resistance to colonization, and its cultural resilience.
Fragrant Rice by Janet De Neefe
Foodies who love travelling, this is the perfect book about Bali for you! It is a memoir and a Balinese cuisine cookbook in one.
Fragrant Rice is a lovely memoir by Janet De Neefe who shares her love for Bali’s culture, people, and food. She came to the island paradise in 1974, found a Balinese man to marry, and built a life here.
Our favourite part of the book is, of course, authentic Balinese family recipes passed down through generations: from Ayam Gerang Asem (chicken stew) to Nasi Goreng (fried rice).
The Balinese by J. Stephen Lansing
For someone who loves studies and research papers, this anthropological study will be an amazing read.
J. Stephen Lansing focuses on concepts of personhood, art, and society, ecological significance of Bali’s water temples and their role in sustaining the island’s rice terraces.
An extensive film and video appendix is something you won’t simply find anywhere else.
Bali Conspiracy Most Foul, Investor Singh Investigates by Shamini Flint
In Bali Conspiracy Most Foul, Inspector Singh is dispatched to Bali to investigate a murder tied to a recent bombing.
What initially seems like a simple murder turns into a tangled mystery, with ties to terrorism complicating the case – sounds like a TV show, so if you love binge-watching crime series, get this book for your trip!
Final Thoughts On Books about Bali
This Bali Book collection will certainly give you some inspiration for your travel, leave you speechless and make your heart fall in love with this tropical Island of the Gods.
Even if you’re not visiting Bali for the first time, these reads will share some secrets and stories the island kept for years.
