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A well-written story has the ability to transport readers to another world, even if it’s only in their minds. A great book can be the perfect tool to help us disconnect from work and the daily grind during a vacation. In this article, I will suggest 10 fascinating holiday reads, which will help you achieve the right state of relaxation and provide the perfect distraction.
To read or to listen?
We do not judge over here. In fact, it is the rise and accessibility of audiobooks that made us avid “readers”.
The truth is, I’m not a fast reader, and with our busy lives, I don’t have hours to devote to reading.
I am an avid audiobook fan and have subscribed to Audible. Currently, I am using the Audible Premium Plus plan which costs $14.95 per month at the time of writing this article. This plan offers me unlimited access to a vast collection of audiobooks, along with one credit each month, which I can use to download any bestseller or newly released audiobook.
I enjoy having a physical or digital book while on vacation so I can fully immerse myself in a story while listening to the sounds of nature around me.
Pro tip: If you enjoy reading outdoors, I highly recommend purchasing a Kindle Paperwhite. The device is lightweight and convenient to carry, and you won’t have to worry about any glare from a tablet or phone.
Let’s jump into this list of outstanding 10-holiday reads.
Holiday reads to add to your list
This compilation of holiday reads is intended to offer diversity in genres. I have listed the genre below each book title and also provided the Goodreads rating as of the time this article was written.
1. Malibu rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid | 4 Stars
Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
This book narrates the story of the four adult children of the legendary singer Mick Riva. The eldest child, Nina, who has recently gone through a divorce, organizes a wild “end of summer” party every year, which her siblings Jay, a champion surfer, Hud, a renowned photographer, and Kit, the youngest sibling, attend. The book delves into the lives of these siblings and uncovers several wild family secrets that nobody knows about.
2. Where the crawdads sing by Delia Owens | 4.5 Stars
Fiction, Mystery, Romance
The story is set in 1969, when Chase Andrews, a young man from the local area, is found dead. The residents of Barkley Cove, North Carolina, immediately point fingers at Kia Clark, also known as the “Marsh Girl”. Kia has lived mostly alone in the marsh since her parents and many siblings abandoned her. However, one person will manage to get close enough to uncover the truth.
3. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus | 4.5 Stars
Historical fiction, Humor, Contemporary
Elizabeth Zott had a dream of becoming a chemist in the 1960s, but society expects her to get married and stay at home. Despite the pressure, she pursues her passion and ends up living a life she never expected. Along the way, Elizabeth becomes a mother and a TV show host, doing things her own way, which not everyone approves of. The question arises as to whether she can challenge the status quo with her unique beliefs, values, and unwavering determination.
4. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon | 4 Stars
Fiction, Young adult, Romance
Madeline is a teenage girl who suffers from an extremely rare disease that makes her virtually allergic to everything outside of her sterile home. As a result, she has never left her house and has very limited interactions with only a few people. However, her world changes when new neighbors move in and she meets Olly, a boy her age whom she finds extremely attractive and intriguing. Will Madeline be able to find love despite her condition, or will it all end in disaster?
5. Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen | 4 Stars
Fiction, Mystery, Humor
Chaz Perrone is a terrible marine biologist who is also a terrible murderer. He tries to kill his beautiful wife Joey by throwing her off a cruise ship, but she miraculously survives and washes up on a nearby island where she meets Mick Stranahan, a former police officer. Together, they plot their revenge against Chaz, but in the swampy and unpredictable terrain of South Florida, nothing comes easy. Who will emerge victorious in this deadly game of cat and mouse?
6. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid | 4 Stars
Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Evelyn Hugo was a stunning and renowned Hollywood movie star who was discovered in Los Angeles in the 1950s. She was married seven times over her 30-year career. As she nears the end of her life, she decides to collaborate with Monique Grant, an author who will write her autobiography. Over time, Monique develops a deep affection for Evelyn and eventually discovers the reason why she was chosen to write the story of Evelyn’s life.
7. Verity by Colleen Hoover | 4 Stars
Fiction, Thriller, Mystery
Lowen, a 32-year-old writer, has a rough start to her day when she meets a stranger named Jeremy. Later, she finds herself in a meeting with the same man and is offered an irresistible opportunity. Lowen is asked to finish a series of books begun by renowned author Verity Crawford, who is Jeremy’s wife and has been incapacitated in a serious car accident. As Lowen delves into Verity’s world, she uncovers an unimaginable truth that changes everything.
8. I was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon | 4 Stars
Historical fiction, Mystery
The story of Anna Anderson’s life is an extraordinary journey, as she claimed to be Anastasia Romanov, a Russian Grand Duchess. If her claim is true, Anna has lived through the horrific events of the entire imperial family being overthrown in 1918 and then spending years as a prisoner in Siberia before being executed a few years later. If her claim is correct, Anna is the only surviving family member and the rightful heir of the family fortune that was left behind.
9. Bad blood: Secrets and lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou | 4.5 Stars
Non-Fiction, Business, True Crime
The rise and fall of Theranos, a Silicon Valley startup, is a fascinating story. It follows the journey of a young entrepreneur named Elizabeth Holmes who entered the medical industry with her innovative blood testing technology. She was successful in raising a whopping $9 billion for her venture. However, her product turned out to be a complete failure. Elizabeth misled the world and countless investors until a whistleblower exposed her lies. This marked the beginning of her downfall.
10. Spare by Prince Harry | 4 Stars
Non-Fiction, Autobiography
Prince Harry’s journey has been nothing short of unique. His life was marked by the tragic loss of his mother, Princess Diana, at a young age. Despite trying to live up to the expectations of royalty, Prince Harry has made multiple choices that deviate from those expectations. He has struggled to find his own path until he met Meghan, and together they continue to pursue their mission to expose injustice and lies. For the first time, Prince Harry tells his own story with complete honesty.
In conclusion
I have enjoyed each book listed above and I am thrilled to recommend them as fantastic holiday reads option. I hope you found something you like above and would love to hear about your favorite vacation books.
Cat xx