10 Books to Take on Vacation

I don’t like lengthy blog post primers.

You know, the paragraphs you have to read (or skim, in my case) just to get to the good stuff?

Yeah, no. I don’t want to have to read four paragraphs before I get to the juicy bits of why I clicked on the link. Same with Pinterest and recipes. Just give me the recipe. Thanks for showing me, but I didn’t come here to see your napkins, Margaret.

I’m not doing that. Except, eek! I’ve already done it by complaining about not doing it.

Okay, so here it is…if you have a vacay, staycay, payday, or playday coming up, do yourself a favor and take one of these books with you.

Love you. Mean it.

Summer Vacation Reading Guide

10 Books to Pack on Your Next Getaway

1. Romance

Hard Code, by Misha Bell.

A book that made me actually laugh out loud several times that is as funny as it is sexy. A nerdy heroine and her hot mysterious boss find themselves testing, *cough*, hardware…and, software together when a business proposition falls on their shoulders. Inappropriately fun.

2. Romance

The Viscount Who Loved Me, by Julia Quinn

Ah the Bridgertons. What a wonderful family to escape to when our own day-to-day feels difficult. This is book 2 in the series but can be read as a stand alone. The perfectly paced, smart, love story about a Viscount who needs to marry, and choses a young lady he is sure “not to love”. Everything is falling into place for him, until he meets the young woman’s sister and realizes he may need to rethink his plans. So sweet, the tiniest bit sexy, and lots of fun. Each time I read a Bridgerton story I think, “this one is my favorite”…until I read the next one. Julia Quinn is the queen of regency romance. You will love this book.

3. Thriller

The Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura Dave

“..breakneck pacing, dizzying plot twists, and evocative family drama, The Last Thing He Told Me is a riveting mystery, certain to shock you with its final, heartbreaking turn.” 

My mom challenged me to pick up this book and, in her words, “I dare you to put it down!” I haven’t tried to read it yet, but I’m hearing all sorts of great things about it. It’s next on my list. Thanks mama!

4. Thriller 

Malibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reed

“Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.” 

The incomparable Taylor Jenkins Reed brings us another stellar tale with her summer story about movie stars, surfing, and a flawed family. Lose yourself in a family drama you won’t soon forget.

5. Fantasy

From Blood and Ash, by Jennifer Armentrout.

Hugely popular on Goodreads, this book has already rounded up over twenty thousand reviews. “Captivating and action-packed, From Blood and Ash is a sexy, addictive, and unexpected fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa.” I will definitely be picking this one up to read at the end of summer as we move into fall. Pairs perfectly with a charcuterie board and a glass of Syrah. 

6. Memoir

I Am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai

My daughter recently had to read this book for her AP Language Arts class. I hadn’t heard of the book before so I decided to check it out and read the first chapter. It was really quite captivating and made me curious to see what happened to this girl. Essentially it is the story of a young girl living in Pakistan when the Taliban takes control of the government and begins to instill Shariah Law. Her education comes to an abrupt halt and her ability to speak out against unfair practices toward women is called into question. Malala was later nominated for, and won, a Nobel Peace Prize for this sobering book. 

7. Non-fiction

40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead: A Hands-on, Step-by-Step Sustainable-Living Guide, by David Toht. 

Probably not what everyone has in mind for non-fiction reading, but personally I dream about having my own property that is off-grid and hidden away. Probably something to do with getting older and becoming more introverted? Who knows. But this book sounds like just the thing to read when it’s late at night and I’m dreaming about planting a garden and remembering what it felt like to play outside until dark without a phone or a computer. 

8. Non-fiction

The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods, Edible Plants, Lichens, Mushrooms, and Seaweeds — The North American Edition, by Nicole Apelian, Ph.D.

I am so excited to own this book. No, I don’t plan to grab my backpack and tent and head off a ‘la Into the Wild, but I would like to further my knowledge about food sources outside of what we can buy in the grocery store, and/or what we grow in our own yards. Things are changing and food shortages are not such an unheard of theory any longer. This book will hopefully serve as a family resource for generations to come. 

9. Horror

The Southern Book Club Guide to Slaying Vampires, by Grady Hendrix.

This somewhat gruesome tale involving a southern wives’ book club, true crime stories, and a mysterious man who move to town took me by surprise. Normally I don’t like to read horror, but this one had me turning the pages as fast as I could. Such terrific writing, I had no choice but to keep reading. Also, I’ll never look at rats the same way ever again. 

10. True Crime

Strange Piece of Paradise, by Terri Jentz

“In the summer of 1977, Terri Jentz and her Yale roommate, Shayna Weiss, make a cross-country bike trip. They pitch a tent in the desert of central Oregon. As they are sleeping, a man in a pickup truck deliberately runs over the tent. He then attacks them with an axe…”

Sounds so uplifting, right? What makes this story incredibly interesting is that it’s true. This is the account of two women bicycling across the Pacific Northwest who unknowingly fall into the path of a psychopath. Their near death experience changes the course of legal history, which is another reason why it’s an important read — maybe just not at night.

What are you waiting for? Choose a book, grab your beach towel, favorite chaise, or the sunniest spot in the backyard, and settle in for an unforgettable read.

Happy Summer!