The Best Holiday Reads
The Best Holiday Reads
I'm back with a bit of a different post today, although it is the type of post that I was planning on writing a lot about on my blog, a post about books. As I've just been on holiday (did I mention that I went to Corfu?) and it's summer holiday season, I thought I would create a post with my holiday reading recommendations. I don't know about you, but when I go on a beach/pool holiday, I spend 80% of my time during the day reading (the other 20% is spent eating and sleeping) and so I'm always prepared with lots of books. I find it a little bit scary taking books on holiday because I'm always worried that I won't like a book but will have to carry on reading it or, even worse, won't have anything to read at all. If you feel the same way, this post might be useful in providing you some trustworthy recommendations so you're not left in this position. My recommendations are split up into three sections, each with some books that I've already read. I hope you find this post helpful and be sure to let me know if you'd like to hear more about my opinion on any of the books or, if you live near me, if you'd like to borrow one of the books from me! Here are my categories...
1. The Page-Turner
This category is probably the one that most people's holiday book of choice falls into. Page-turners are easy-going, addictive and offer some serious escapism, which is perfect for a relaxing holiday where you're going to be spending a lot of time reading. I always bring book like this on holiday with me because I tend to read more 'serious' and 'literary' books throughout the year. I'm very aware that this sounds snobby but I can assure you it's not at all. I HATE book snobbery and people who refuse to consider any book as worthy if it hasn't been nominated for a Man Booker or was published post-20th century because I think, not only is this attitude offensive to those who read these books and, in many ways, inherently classist, but there's nothing wrong with reading a book purely for entertainment purposes and nothing else. Plus, these books are often interesting analytically and contextually because of their genre. Anyway, that was quite a tangent. But yes, I always read a book like this on holiday because I do tend to reach for more literary books throughout the year because they're usually the ones that have been on my reading list for the longest and I'm really eager to read and because my reading time is limited during the year, I really have to narrow down my choices. Anyway, here are some of my favourite page-turners to devour on holiday this year:
My Number One Choice- The Millennium Series by Stieg Larsson
This series is better known as the one that starts with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. This trilogy is often hailed as the biggest page-turner and if you read it, you'll find out why. I won't even try and explain the plot because it's beyond complicated but they are crime novels and they are so gripping. They're also pretty long so are perfect for your holiday as they will take you a while to get through if you're just reading a chapter every night. I'm currently half way through the last novel and am thoroughly enjoying it as a form of escapism (along with my other favourite escapist activity, Love Island). A fourth book has recently been added to the series written by a different author, as Larsson died before the books were published. I don't really know how I feel about that and whether I read it or not will depend on how much of a cliff-hanger the ending of the third novel is.
Other Page-Turners I Like (Perhaps More Literary Than I Previously Mentioned)-
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
1984 by George Orwell
2. The Classic Novel That You've Never Got Round To Reading
As mentioned, a holiday is a time where lots of reading can be done quickly. So it makes sense to read that book that you've always wanted to read but have been putting off due to something like it's length. You might think that a classic book is a little bit of a heavy choice for a relaxing holiday but I can guarantee that you'll enjoy it a lot more if you read it all in one go, rather than over a month or so at home, so a holiday is the perfect chance to do so.
My Number One Choice- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I'm choosing this purely because it's my favourite classic book and I've read it on holiday a few times before. There are many more chunkier books that perhaps might be a better choice for your holiday but this one is short and sweet and will certainly allow for other holiday reads if the thought of taking just one classic on holiday scares you.
Other Classic Novels I Like:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Animal Farm by George Orwell
1984 by George Orwell
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Lolita by Vladamir Nabokov
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
3. The Non-Fiction Book That Makes You Think
Once again, this sounds a bit heavy for a holiday. But these are the types of books that need to be gobbled up in one go in order for them to have their full effect. Putting them down and coming back to them just won't make you think as much as reading them in the space of a few days will. Plus, reading a book like this might be something you've been putting off so this is a good time to pack it in your suitcase, leaving you with no other choice than to read it.
My Number One Choice- Sapiens by Yual Noah Harari
I read this book on holiday last year and it's honestly so brilliant. It's a reflection on the history of the entire world. Educational and thoughtful, it is the ultimate book to make you think. If you read this on holiday, you will come back home feeling differently about the world and knowing more about it than you did before. I'm looking forward to reading the second instalment to this book on holiday this year!
Other Non-Fiction Books To Make You Think:
The Anxiety Solution by Chloe Brotheridge
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Women & Power by Mary Beard
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
A Room Of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
Revolution by Russell Brand
I hope you've found some reading inspiration for any upcoming holidays in this post! All of the books I've mentioned I have read and can thoroughly recommend but do do some extra research on any of the ones that I haven't explained if they sound like they interest you. Happy holidays and happy reading!