Top 10 books about Colombia | Julianne Pachico

There is more to this rich and varied country than Gabriel Garcia Marquez, coffee and its violent past. Novelist Julianne Pachico shares her favourite books about her childhood home

Growing up in Colombia in the 1990s, I rarely saw any tourists. That has changed dramatically in the past decade, especially following a historic peace deal with the Farc in 2016. My novel The Anthill examines the transformation of Medellin from a war-torn city wracked by violence into a trendy, rapidly gentrifying destination for digital nomads, bitcoin investors and self-righteous religious groups. But the past is never easily shed.

It's wonderful that more people are interested in Colombia, but there's so much more to it than Gabriel Garcia Marquez, coffee, and its violent past. It's unlikely that any of us are going on any international trips anytime soon, but in the meantime, here's a list of my favourite books about the country, which will hopefully help keep the travel bug in check, and better acquaint readers with depictions of Colombia beyond the headlines.