Vacationy books, Part Deux
Whee! It’s finally the day before the vacay and I swear, I should do this more often. I haven’t had such a spring in my step and grin on my face since… well… er, since my last vacation. Seriously. I feel so high, that if this is what taking drugs is like, then for the love of God, keep ‘em away from me when I get back.
I finally started packing last night. I don’t know about you but my packing technique consists of making little piles of stuff and strategically placing them all over the floor of our guest room. One pile for shirts, one for dresses, one for shoes… and one for books! Because yes, I plan those in advance, too. Well, I try. I still haven’t made up my mind!
First off, a huge thanks to everyone who weighed in with their suggestions on Part One of good books to take on vacation. Your suggestions were so great that I had to create a whole new wish-list of books! Not that I don’t already have enough of those. But I’ll get to that in a second; first, I wanted to share your suggestions with everyone so here they are:
Leah:
Time Traveller’s Wife
Summer Sisters – Judy Blume
Practical Magic – Alice HoffmanKat Forsyth:
The Book Thief
Temeraire
Peter Abrahams’ Down the Rabbit HoleHope:
The Eyre Affair
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie SocietyPenny
The Help, by Kathryn Stockton
As the Great World Spins, by Colum McCann
The Blood of Flowers, by Anita Amirrezzvani
Property, by Valerie MartinSarah:
any of the 3 books by Maarten TroostAnna:
Julie and JuliaLisa:
Loving FrankCharmi:
In the Woods – Tana French
God of War – Marisa Silver
My Sisters Keeper – Jodi Picoult
Naked – David Sedaris
Thanks again so much for all your contributions. I am almost overwhelmed with the delicious possibilities here. In fact…
Can I tell you secret? This is pretty awful so I’m just going to blurt it out before I have time to think about how much I might regret it one day: Sometimes? Sometimes I secretly hope that I one day I will have an extended hospital stay just so I can get caught up on all the books I am dying to read.
There. Terrible, right? I know, I know, I KNOW. Who would wish for such a thing? But there you have it. If I were to send in a Post Secret postcard, that would be it (though I guess it’s not much of a secret now that I’ve told all of you, eh?).
*receives impatient tap on the shoulder*
Oh. Right. Where was I?
After considering your most excellent list of books to read, I was itching to go to the bookstore and weave dreamily between the shelves to find them and caress their lovely crisp spines and slip them off the shelf and inhale their gorgeous fresh inky goodness IMMEDIATELY but… something told me to stop.
It told me to go look at my own bookshelf first.
And after I looked at my bookshelf, I made a list of all the books on it that I hadn’t read yet.
And there were A LOT.
Rule of the Bone – Russell Banks
The Book of Negroes – Lawrence Hill
The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingsolver
A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell – Susanna Clarke (did you hear it’s going to be a movie?)
Thirteen Moons – Charles Frazier
The Pillars of the Earth – Ken Follett
Brick Lane -Monica Ali
Sweetness in the Belly – Camilla Gibb
On Beauty – Zadie Smith
Quo Vadis – Henryk Sienkiewicz
The Historian – Elizabeth Kostova
The Emperor’s Children – Claire Messud
Merde Happens – Stephen Clarke
Conversations With God – Neale Donald Walsch
The Shack – William P. Young
Oh dear. I should probably get through some of these books I already have available before going out looking for more, huh.
I guess I get a little greedy when it comes to books.
Now I’m trying to decide which of those books in the above list would be a good book to take on vacation – something intoxicating but not too heavy or depressing. And, at the same time, trying to get over how funnily exposed I feel telling you what books are on my bookshelf. (Strange but true.) Oh and I suppose finishing packing some clothes might be a good idea, too.
I might be too busy yodeling, eating gelato and waiting in line to see the statue of David for the next little bit so if you don’t hear from me, see you on the flip side in a couple weeks.
P.S. If you’re looking for some good books to take on vacation yourself, check out 100 Best Beach Books Ever – it looks like a good list.
My name is Kasia Fink and nothing makes me happier than finding goodness. This is a collection of my findings... I mean, finkings.
Wow such good suggestions!
I’ve only read two of your list of “haves but have not read”(s) — The Poisonwood Bible and The Pillars of the Earth. Between the two, I would say Poisonwood is NOT a vacation read. It’s more of a work commute/before bed read. I won’t say anything more than that for fear of giving anything away. Pillars is really good… not too meaty and has enough intrique to keep you turning pages. I would definitely toss that one in the vacation pile. And then when you get home add World Without End to your pile — it’s the sequel to Pillars.
Have a great vacation!
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is very…odd. It’s very slow-paced as well. I wouldn’t take it on vacation. I wouldn’t go with Conversations with God, either, but I may be biased because it annoyed me when I tried to read it.
I’ve just started The Historian – maybe you should take that and we can compare notes!
I really enjoyed The Poisonwood Bible but I agree that it is probably not a good “vacation” book – but I think it should be at the top of the list for your return :) I have not read any of the others. I did hear that The Shack was very engaging and thought provoking – it might be good for vacation.
HAHAHA. Your secret made me laugh! We all have’em.
Happy travels my friend!
I agree that Poisonwood Bible and Jonathan Strange are both not great for a vacation read…but when you get home and have some time (or a long hospital stay? jk) you should read Poisonwood Bible next….it is one of my all time favorites.
Thanks for listing everyone else’s favorites…I’ve printed this out and will bring it to the library!
Oh! Read “The Historian!” it is sooo good and that perfect mix of literary and beachy. oh I loved it. need to read it again!
I also own “On Beauty” and haven’t started it. her book “White Teeth” was excellent so I am sure this will be too.
Thank you for making this list! There are so many books that I’d like to read right now and my own bookshelf is brimming with them. I’m reading White Teeth by Zadie Smith right now. Not too far in yet, so not sure how I feel about it.
Have a wonderful holiday :)
Have a great trip! Sounds like fun!
I’ve read A Fine Balance and On Beauty. Both are good books but not really vacationy. Definitely not A Fine Balance – its a sad and its crazy long. It is a good book though.
Have you ever read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao? That was my last vacation book which was sadly a long time ago and from what I remember it was pretty good.
Happy vacationing/honeymooning :)
You must be getting *soooo* excited!! I know I am :)
I’ve actually wished to experience a tornedo – of course where nobody gets hurt – so I do t think you’re too crazy for wishing for a non life threatening hospital stay ;)
the historian is SOOOO incredible. it is a must read. if you ever want to borrow it, let me know. i very highly recommend it. :)
I am a “pile” packer as well. Have fun on your vacation!