“I wasn’t aware that words could hold so much. I didn’t know a sentence could be so full.”
Whether it be going off-grid surrounded by nature, catching some rays on the beach or by the pool, or just recharging with a casual staycation, a book can be the ultimate travel companion. Here at What We Reading, we decided to compile the best list of reading recommendations for books to take with you on vacation. From feel-good books and heartwarming journeys of discovery to fun romance reads set against sunny settings, check out the best books for vacations here!
The Five-Star Weekend – Elin Hilderbrand
Kicking off our lineup of the best vacation books is Elin Hilderbrand’s The Five-Star Weekend, a sunshine-infused tale that follows a woman on a Nantucket weekend retreat, exploring themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery.
This bestselling beach read from 2023 begins with protagonist Hollis Shaw’s seemingly perfect life shattered by a devastating tragedy. Intrigued by the concept of a ‘Five-Star Weekend,’ she resolves to reinvent her life by hosting her own in the charmingly chic surroundings of Nantucket. She extends invitations to four friends from different stages of her life, resulting in a weekend getaway that none of them will ever forget.
Where The Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
Presenting another bestselling book perfect for a vacation read, Delia Owens’ Where the Crawdads Sing is a captivating tale that seamlessly combines a murder mystery with a coming-of-age narrative, unfolding through the perspective of a resilient female protagonist in a lush setting.
Owens’ novel narrates the story of Kya Clark, a wild and self-taught naturalist with only a single day of formal education, rendering her unsuitable for conventional society. When the popular Chase Andrews is discovered dead in the late summer of 1969, Kya becomes an immediate and primary suspect. Despite her adept survival skills in the wild, she, like everyone else, harbours a longing for connection and love, particularly after encountering two local boys drawn to her rugged beauty. Where The Crawdads Sing skillfully weaves a haunting historical mystery with a profound exploration of the beautiful and dark secrets that nature can keep hidden.
Check Out The Best Books Like Where The Crawdads Sing
The Strange Case Of The Alchemist’s Daughter (The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club #1) – Theodora Goss
What could be better for a vacation read than a found family of monster girls solving mysteries in the Victorian era? Theodora Goss’ The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter introduces readers to Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death. She catches wind of a cash reward for information about her father’s former friend, the murderer Edward Hyde.
Realizing that putting an end to all her immediate financial hardships, she embarks on an investigation to locate Hyde. Along the way, she meets Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns, as well as several other women, all of whom have been created through a series of grizzly experiments. This monster mash-up of retellings and reimaginings of Victorian classics is fun, witty, and the perfect book for vacationing with.
The Codebreaker’s Secret – Sara Ackerman
Sara Ackerman’s The Codebreaker’s Secret is a dazzlingly told historical fiction story of love and intrigue set in Hawaii during America’s darkest wartime days. In 1943, readers follow Isabel Cooper and her codebreaker colleagues in ‘The Dungeon‘ at Station HYPO in Pearl Harbor. Driven by a desire to avenge her brother, Isabel soon discovers life may have other plans for her when she meets his best friend, a hotshot pilot with secrets of his own.
Fast forward to 1963, where aspiring journalist Lu Freitas has returned to Hawaii to attend the grand opening of the glamorous Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. However, when a high-profile guest disappears, she is forced into an alliance with a veteran photographer and unravels a mystery that traces back to the war years—a secret that only a codebreaker can crack.
Next Year In Havana – Chanel Cleeton
Chanel Cleeton offers another compelling historical fiction option for vacation reading, exploring themes of passion, identity, and journeys of self-discovery against lush and exotic surroundings in Next Year in Havana.
The book unfolds in 1958 with the story of Elisa Perez, a member of Cuba’s high society largely sheltered from the growing political unrest. A clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary forces Elisa to flee, and now, her granddaughter Marisol Ferrera is tasked with scattering her ashes in her home country. As Marisol arrives in Cuba, she grapples with the contrast between the country’s tropical and timeless beauty and its continued political unrest. Amidst the vivid landscapes, new truths about her family’s identity are revealed, and a man with secrets of his walks into her life. Marisol finds herself leaning on the lessons from her grandmother’s life to discover the true meaning behind the word ‘courage’.
Happy Place – Emily Henry
Look no further than Happy Place by Emily Henry for one of the best romance books of 2023, combining warm summer vibes with a relationship where all is not as it seems. In it, she introduces Harriet and Wyn, a couple who broke up six months ago but haven’t told their friends about it yet.
The reason for not telling anyone about their break-up is their annual tradition of renting out an idyllic Maine cottage for a week with their friendship group. It’s a chance to escape their hectic city lives, enjoy copious amounts of cheese, seafood, and wine, and soak in the coastal sea breeze alongside the people who know them best in the world. After years of being in love, how hard can it be to keep up appearances for one more week, even if it is in front of those who know them best?
Beautiful Ruins – Jess Walter
Jess Walter’s Beautiful Ruins, a number one New York Times bestseller, is the story of an almost relationship that begins on the Italian coast in the early 1960s and resurfaces fifty years on in the sun-soaked streets of modern-day Los Angeles. This rollercoaster romance is the perfect vacation read for any reader travelling to anywhere sunny and beautiful, whisking them from the stunning European coastline to behind-the-scenes of major Hollywood sets.
Delivered with wit, warmth, and humour, Beautiful Ruins is a constantly surprising book that follows flawed but fascinating people as they try to navigate their lives while clinging onto their long-held dreams—an ideal fun read to escape with, especially when you’re travelling.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
