While it’s coming to the end of summer and most people are probably headed back to work or school now, I am getting my first (and last) proper vacation for this summer and gearing off for a road trip to the South of France tomorrow and you best believe that I am so excited to be getting some much deserved R&R. And while that will definitely include my favourite road trip tunes, part of that for me definitely includes time to delve into a good book.
The art of choosing a book for vacation is just a important and special as choosing a book for the plane (a topic I have covered before). But the most vital thing when choosing a vacation book is making sure to pick something that helps relax and revive you, and not stress you out even more. This can sometimes be the case with heavier situations and deeper topics. And while they are sometimes the best books to read because of just how incredible the writing is or how it can make you feel and think, its place is definitely not on a vacation. Which, generally speaking, means no classics, no war books and definitely, definitely no Russian authors (no offence Dostoyevsky)
That being said, what is a vacation book? A vacation book for me is something that can suck me in, elevate my mood and become as much a part of my vacation experience as the sightseeing. I am constantly on the search for a book that ties into the way I remember my vacation. I want something light, preferably also funny, and equally insightful that can kick start some introspection, and possible some personal growth (though that would just be an added bonus, not always a necessity). And for someone who tends to read quite a bit of dystopian fiction, this is quite a different field of novel for me.
So without further ado, here are my top five picks for books to take on vacation with you:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
In all honesty, I don’t care which one you pick up, they are all equally amazing. But, if I had to choose only one (and you can bet that my suitcase is begging me to pick only one) I would go with The Philosopher’s Stone. It may have been over twenty one years ago since it was first released, and definitely over fifteen since I first read it, but the feeling of starting off the journey into the wizarding world never gets old. In fact, I find I appreciate it more every time I read it and find increasing reasons to love the novel every time I read it. If you’re not convinced read Why Rereading is a Good Thing.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Before you yell at me, I know that I said no classics, but I could not help myself here. A miss of humour, love, wit, minor tragedy (very minor) and a whole bunch of angst with a immensely happy ending, reading Pride and Prejudice is like watching a soap opera but without all the bad acting! Austen’s writing is so incredibly smart, and while a little difficult to get into at first, I promise if you stick with it you will be as smitten with Darcy or Lizzy as I am ever since having read it for the first time. Read all about why we think You Should Give Jane Austen a Chance.
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
This is one of those books that I fell in love with after the first page, which claimed the story to be “The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter Witch”. I hadn’t even started reading the actually novel and I was sure I could already hear Pratchett and Gaiman giggling away, convinced of their own comedic brilliance. And you know what? So am I! The two of them are absolute geniuses when it comes to the sarcastic humour that characterises the protagonists of the novel (an angel and a demon who team up to stop the apocalypse – if that hasn’t caught your attention you are clearly not paying enough attention!). I can assure you, you will be sniggering your way through this novel and crying at the end that it is over.
Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter
I hold a special place for this next one, having dedicated a chapter of my Master’s thesis to the novel. One of the perpetuated assumptions of a circus is that they are going to be bizarre, and while this novel does nothing to dissuade you from that fact, it is the central and most intriguing part of the story. Carter embraces strangeness and celebrates, and in a world where being visibly different hasn’t always proved to be the safest, the reader can find comfort in a band of ragamuffins who defy their stereotypes and embrace their uniqueness. It’s both as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Now this last one is again one that could be considered a “classic” by everything but official definition and that is why I am including it on the list. Tolkien’s world has become immortalised in the 21st century by Peter Jackson’s film renditions, but I promise you, his writing is as, if not more, captivating. Middle Earth and all its inhabitants are wonderful companions to any vacation. While you follow Bilbo and the dwarves on their journey to the lonely mountain, you feel like you are experiencing two adventures, your own and his, simultaneously.
I hope this list has given you some ideas of good vacation books. Let me know in the comments if you agree or disagree with any of my choices and what your favourite books for vacations are! I would love to hear what is considered essential reading for others on vacations.
~S~
