Vacation Books

What makes some books better vacation books that others?

This ranking system is completely subjective, but the list is a good one. Vacation books should be easy and fun (well, for most people, anyway).

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The Handmaid’s Tale

This book is set in the near-future in the country (formerly known) as the United States. What’s that you say? The United States could never end? Haha. Well, history tells us it’s a matter of WHEN, not IF. That’s how it goes. Maybe we’ll be here to see it and maybe we won’t. This is a fascinating take on what could happen in the not-so-distant future.

House Of Spies

This is a super suspenseful tale of secret terrorism that starts in the US and spreads to Europe (London, then the South of France). It has it all–drugs, deception, heroes and a great twist at the end!

American Gods

I haven’t read this one yet, but multiple friends have recommended it to me. Here’s what Amazon has to say about it: “Relevant and prescient, American Gods has been lauded for its brilliant synthesis of “mystery, satire, sex, horror, and poetic prose” (Michael Dirda, Washington Post Book World) and as a modern phantasmagoria that “distills the essence of America” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). It is, quite simply, an outstanding work of literary imagination that will endure for generations.”

Pandemic

You know what a pandemic is, right? Widespread disease that takes over an entire country or world. Can you guess what this book is about? (It’s very well-written and you won’t want to put it down)

Camino Island

John Grisham always delivers. This time, the story combines a theft of a precious book and a quiet, small-town bookstore owner in Florida. BUT the bookstore owner is much more than just a bookstore owner. He also deals in stolen goods. Uh oh!

Before We Were Yours

This vacation book is based on a real-life scandal that rocked the United States. There was a well-organized and highly-effective effort by some nefarious folks to kidnap children and sell them to wealthy families who wanted to adopt. Nasty business, but a great read!

The Great Alone

A Vietnam POW returns to the US and he is unsurprisingly damaged. He moves his family to Alaska where they will live off the land and start a new life. In the secluded wilderness in Alaska, things start to unravel. What will happen to his wife and child?

Little Fires Everywhere

Based in Cleveland Heights, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland), this book explores motherhood and the community response to doing something that doesn’t fit with their perfect narrative of the world.

I’ll Be Gone In The Dark

This is a true crime book about the Golden State Killer, who raped and murdered folks in California for over a decade. The journalist who was OBSESSED with the case sadly passed away before the arrest of the alleged killer was made. The killer taunted a victim one time with the parting words, “You’ll be silent forever and I’ll be gone in the dark.” Creepy dude.

Origin

Robert Langdon is back! You can call him Tom Hanks, if you want. 😉 This time, he’s focused on a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” It’s another page turner from Dan Brown and this time we’re taken on a journey through historic Barcelona. Incidentally, Barcelona is one of my favorite cities. If you ever find yourself there and need a break from your vacation books, see if you can snag a reservation at Hoja Santa.

What are some of your favorite vacation books? Share them in the comments and maybe they’ll make the list.