With summer holidays coming up sooner than we expect, us bookworms need to get our tbr stacks ready. I compiled the following list that includes 12 lighter books to read on vacation. I did it with my readers in mind, so you have one less thing to worry about.
Even when we go on holiday, we need some inspiration for books to bring along with us.
In this post, I figured I will help you out for next time you travel. I chose books from a few different categories, so you have options.
As a side note, as I get asked this question often, I say to give audiobooks a chance! It is one of my favorite tips I have for people who always want to read more but say they don’t have time or inspiration. Especially if you’re planning many hours of travel time, audiobooks are ideal.
Plus, I find listening to audiobooks in summer is so much more productive and time efficient. You can spend more time outdoors doing whatever you like while listening to a book. Hence, you get your stuff done while tackling that tbr list. Sounds like a great vacation plan to me!
Most of the following books I’ve already read and loved, but a few of those I’m hoping to read myself when I go on my next vacation. Or staycation, depending on my future plans.
The list includes some older titles as well as a couple of newer ones, as per usual. If you’re looking for new titles that will come out later on in the summer, I invite you to check out my latest post.
Link here
That being said, let’s get started with 12 books to read on vacation.
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
This book seems like a great summer vacation option, and yes, one of its characters is a tree. You heard properly. I hear this book is very well written with a strong character development. The storyline follows a love story between two young Cypryots that spans over a few decades.
It is such a beautiful concept, I will share my thoughts on the execution. It will be my first book by the author.
The Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras
This sounds like the perfect summer read to enjoy by the pool or on the beach with a fancy drink in hand. With a fun set of characters and lots of humorous banter, you can fly through this book in a couple of days. This is the perfect vacation book to bring with you on the beach or to the lake. It is full on Latinx references that will give you a taste for Cuban culture and food.
Looking forward to reading this easy breezy book this summer.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
If you’re like me, then you’ve had this book on your shelves since it came out. But, le sigh, I haven’t had a chance to start it yet. I’m hoping I can change that during my summer vacation.
It was nominated for best fantasy book in 2020 on Goodreads.
If I base my choice on what other reviewers say, then this book is a must-read. We shall see, since fantasy is a hit or miss for me. Will follow up once I read it, so stay tuned.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
One of my favorite books ever, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine will have you in stitches. Hence, it is a great option for a summer vacation read.
You will learn to love quirky Eleanor. She is truly a one-of-a-kind person who was hurt in the past and closed herself off from unnecessary social interactions. Although she prefers her own company, that changes when she meets Raymond, an IT guy that works in the same building she does.
It is a fun read that is perfect for the summertime vacation. Enjoy!
Anna K by Jenny Lee
A modern spin on a classic, Anna K is based, you guessed it, on Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I recently read this book and I fell in love with it. Enough to entice me to read the old classic. Yes, the brick, which is close to 1,000 pages! But don’t fret, its large dimension does not dissuade me from reading it. After all, I managed to get through War and Peace, therefore this one should be a walk in the park!
Anna K is a lot easier to get through, and a few hundred pages shorter. Hence, it is the perfect summer romance to read this upcoming season.
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
While this book is not a light read like a couple of other ones on this list, it contains an inspiring cast of characters and clever dialogue. Despite its 500+ pages, this book is easy to read and very engaging. As per the author’s typical style, the novel is a well woven, complex tale. The Interestings is a group of friends that meet during summer camp and remain close for decades. The narration follows them through the decades, and we see all the trials and tribulations they experience. Despite what life throws their way, they remain involved in each other’s lives.
The Interestings is a book that has great substance and offers the reader a pleasant experience.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
If you’re like me, you probably heard of this book after the movie came out. I think it makes for a cute romance to read in the summer, so I’ll be adding it to my tentative list of books to read this upcoming season. Nevermind that i had it on my shelves for over two years, hopefully i can finally get to it, but we’ll see.
Me Before You is a cute opposites-attract love story that feels like a warm hug. If it’s anything like the movie, you will get transported to the universe of two completely different individuals who fall in love despite their differences.
A lighthearted romance that is appropriate reading material for your next vacation.
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abby Waxman
This is such a fun, light-hearted book, it is perfect to read on vacation. If you want something that will make you laugh out loud while it is also well written, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is as good as it gets. And if you like a bookish setting, then don’t look any further: it’s a clear choice for you.
I read and reviewed this book earlier this year, and there’s a good chance it will make my top ten books of the year. It is one of my favorite books of the year so far, and I recommend it for those of you looking for a great read that is also highly entertaining.
Hello, Summer by Mary Kay Andrews
If the title isn’t enticing enough for you to read during your summer vacation, I don’t know what is. It’s got summer vibes written all over. Should you enjoy reading about small town gossip that involves juicy secrets and a scandal or two, then this book is probably for you. Throw in a death, and you’ve got the perfect summer read.
Although this seems like an easy enough book to read, it is quite long. It is close to 500 pages, but I’m confident that it has a nice flow. At least, I hope so! Will come back with my thoughts afterwards.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This is my favorite book by the author so far. It has a little bit of family drama and it has a beach setting; a perfect summertime read, as far as I’m concerned. The story is about four siblings who lost their parents in a tragic way, so they’ve only got each other. But the end of summer is the one time of year the Riva siblings put their differences aside and let loose for their annual party.
This lighthearted summertime novel is written in typical Jenkins fashion. Out of the three books I read by the author, I think this best suits my personality.
Which novels written by the author did you like best? I’m curious if our tastes are similar.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Unputdownable and engaging, Listen for the Lie lives up to its hype. It is fast-paced and sarcastic yet somber. Filled with action, this is the perfect vacation read. Even though it is a murder-mystery at its core, it is a very enjoyable read. The way the author included a true-crime podcast into its narrative is creative and gives the book an extra edge.
The book came out earlier this year, yet it’s still super popular today. Most likely because it is a refreshing take on a mystery novel, which tends to be typically somber and gruesome. This one is neither of these things, hence it is a very interesting and unique book in its category. I highly recommend it.
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
This is the only book on this list that hasn’t been published in North America yet. It already came out in April and May in the UK, but we need to practice a little more patience this side of the ocean. As many of you know, since I read Cleopatra and Frankenstein, I can’t stop raving about it. It was my favorite book in 2022, so it’s normal that I can’t wait to read the author’s newest work.
The author’s newest novel, Blue Sisters is a family saga at its basis. Particularly, it draws attention to sister bonds. The story is narrated from each of the sisters’ point of view, so we get their individual perspectives on how they deal with their tragic loss in their own way.
It will be interesting to see how Mellors develops each of the characters, I can’t wait for September to read it!
Concluding Words
So friends, what did you think of this list? I hope you enjoyed my version of 15 books to read on vacation.
There are a couple of new books on this list, but some back titles that still make for great holiday reading.
I love a mix of different genres and authors to keep things interesting.
What about you? What type of books do you gravitate towards during your summer months? Do you tend to read lighter novels than usual, or do you stick to your typical genre you read yearlong? It would be fun to know what most readers pick up during their vacations.
I’ll leave you to ponder those questions and I’ll catch you on the next topic. Until then, keep reading fellow bookworms!
