What books are you reading on vacation?
We’re headed out on vacation next week, and I can hardly wait! Work has been crazy lately, and I am looking forward to just relaxing with book in one hand and an umbrella drink in the other.
I just finished Station Eleven, which was an incredible page-turner (I was so caught up in it that I missed my train stop – twice!!) and now I’m right at the beginning of A Little Life. While A Little Life is excellent, it’s also a lot of book for vacation – heavy in all senses.
I’ve tried to get into All The Light We Cannot See, but for some reason I just can’t (?!), and now I’m crunched for time and out of ideas.
So! I’m looking for recommendations! Do you have any? I’d love to hear! What books are you reading right now?
I’d love to send you my book, Room 702. It’s a book that takes place over a year in a fictional Beverly Hills hotel suite. Drop me a line!
Ann Benjamin – I would LOVE to read your book! I will email you.
Nelson Demille – The Panther. While the premise is heavy (al Qaida) the hero of his books is a major smart ass FBI agent and it’s a great combo of funny and exciting. Love his sarcastic humor. If you’ve never read Demille , start with Plum Island. Great read and less heavy. More of a treasure hunt kind of plot.
Pam – Thank you! I love a treasure hunt!
Both of these books have been out for awhile but both are good if you haven’t read them – Glass Castle and The Rosie Project.
Patty – I loved Glass Castle. Seems like The Rosie Project might be a great next read. Thanks so much!
I highly recommend The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion. It’s a very fun read! It’s light, but well-written and has enough substance to make it pretty satisfying. Deciding who you want to play the main characters in the movie is pretty fun (Benedict Cumberbatch is my pick for Don Tillman).
I’m not going on vacation until August, so I have some time to figure out what to take. We are going to Ireland (!!!) which makes me want to read Graveyard Clay (or Churchyard Clay) which was just translated to English from the original Irish Gaelic. I may not be able to wait till August though. Here’s a link to a New Yorker article about it. I hope the book is as interesting as the story ABOUT the book is. http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-irish-novel-thats-so-good-people-were-scared-to-translate-it?intcid=mod-latest
Jeri – Yay!! Yay that you’re headed to Ireland! Yay for the article! And yay for the suggestions! Thank you!
If you haven’t read The Girl On The Train, do. British psychological thriller. I’m reading Nora Roberts The Liar right now. Romantic with a mystery twist. Woman finds out she know nothing about her husband after he dies. Lots of twists and turns. Easy, fun read.
Denise – Both sound great and perfect for vacation. Thanks!
Funny that the others are recommending “The Rosie Project” as that is what I am in the middle of now!! I really liked “The Boys in the Boat” .
You can get a daily email from The Bookbub that has inexpensive or free books to download on your kindle. I fill mine up with these to use on flights etc and just delete if I don’t find them engaging.
Let us know what you end up with!!
Laura – Thanks for the tip about The Bookbub! And I have The Boys in the Boat floating around my house somewhere – I will try to find it. 🙂
“The Husband’s Secret” by Liane Moriarty was a good travel read for me, as are Laura Lippman’s books about Baltimore with Tess Monaghan as protagonist.
Jennifer – Thanks! I also love reading books about my destinations. I was actually just in Baltimore for the weekend – wish I had thought to read something by Laura Lippman!
It’s an oldie, but I’m rereading “Don’t Stop the Carnival” (Wouk) when on vacation the week after next. Maybe also the “The Immoralist” (Gide).
Carl P. – I will check those out. Love how my list is shaping up!
When I’m on vacation, I love fun beach reads that leave you feeling satisfied at the end. My vote for always-a-good-read is the Trouble Shooters series by Suzanne Brockmann. They are fine as stand alone books, too.
A great place to get free books is Netgalley. You can get current and yet-to-be released books on kindle direct from the publishers.
Happy travels!
Shannon – Nice tip about Netgalley! And thanks for recco.
I am reading “All Creatures Great and Small” at the moment. Its a classic and I am an animal lover.
Stephen – I’ve actually never read that before, but I’ve always wanted to. Thanks for the timely reminder!
Hi! I recommend NK Jemisin’s The Fifth Season. Enjoy!