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The Perfect Vacation Book

My book-loving friend Martin and I have a recurring conversation that usually starts with, "I'm going on vacation and can't figure out which book to take."  It's an interesting conundrum, and for us book addicts, a critically important decision that we begin pondering weeks before we actually leave town.

I suppose it partially depends on the type of vacation on which you're taking this treasured companion (and by that I'm referring to your book and not your spouse).  If your intent is a relaxing week at the beach, for example, you might pick something light and fun, perhaps romantic; the latest from Ann Brashares or Jude Devereaux might be your choice.  Those seeking to rekindle that special spark (and this time, I am talking about your spouse) might look for a steamier option, like Anne Rice's Beauty series or something by Jamie Denton (or perhaps no book at all!).   Still others may prefer perusing a longer or more complex book while on vacation, since it's rare for them to have a large block of time in which to read.

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I usually bring a duffle bag with several paperbacks when I go on vacation. My vacations usually include alot of reading on the beach or by the pool, which is my favorite way to relax. I try to bring a few ARCs so I can blog about them when I return to work, but I also bring along authors that I know I can count on, like Chris Bohjalian, Lee Child, Douglas Preston, or your choice, Harlan Coban.
# Posted By Sue Balla | 5/16/09 7:44 AM
I have graduated to the Kindle for vacations as it really beats lugging around 10 books or so which is my usual inventory for a relaxing vacation. However, if I don't plan on lounging around I still bring about 5 books. The books for the plane have to be preselected with the idea that they will be gripping and cause me to forget that I still have 10 more hours on the plane. The ones at my destination usually have been chosen to focus on the places I am visiting or to be ones that I have been dying to read.
# Posted By Lani | 5/17/09 11:21 AM
I bring books for two on vacation. My husband thrives on thrillers and loves Harlon Coban, lee Child and VInce Flynn. I need what I call " a sure thing" for vacation. I take two or three books; sometimes they are ARC's that look really, really good and are from authors that I have liked in the future, but lately I am prone to taking an older book I might have read ten years ago and reread it. Last summer to Tuscany, I took Pat Conroy's Beach Music. It was like reading it all over again. I was thrilled.
# Posted By Jean Lewis | 5/17/09 11:49 AM
Ditto to the Kindle choice for vacations. I'll also say that I DEFINITELY switch gears when I'm on vacation, to read more "guilty pleasures" when away. I often look for books set in the place I'm visiting. For instance, I'll be heading back to Hawaii for the summer, so I'm getting Alan Brennert's Honolulu. When I traveled to Turkey, I picked up some Orhan Pamuk books. Otherwise, I grab my favorite authors in my TBR pile, that I just haven't been able to get to. To be quite honest, I usually read those TBR pile picks first anyway!
# Posted By Becky | 5/17/09 12:02 PM
I usually bring a few books with me- oftentimes short books, so I can knock off a few at a time. Then if one is bad or boring I can switch to another and not worry that I'm going to run out. Most places I visit have bookstores nearby at which I inevitably shop as well! :-)
# Posted By Marie | 5/17/09 12:02 PM
A note from Kim -- I completely agree that having an ebook is the way to go for taking a bunch of books on vacation. On the few "clean" vacations I take, you can believe my Sony eReader is right there with me. I totally agonized about whether or not to take it backpacking with me, and had I gone to a known dry area I think I would have succumbed to the temptation. This last time around, though, it ended up being very wet, even in the tent, so I was glad the Sony was safe & sound at home.
# Posted By Kim | 5/17/09 1:29 PM
The best book I read on vacation was <i>Suite Francaise</i> by Irene Nemirovsky. I got a wicked sunburn because I couldn't stop reading (from Twitter)
# Posted By Diane | 5/18/09 8:23 AM
Anything in paperback or e-book form. Otherwise the luggage is brutal! Mostly mystery/suspense/fantasy (from Twitter)
# Posted By Jennie | 5/18/09 8:24 AM
Fave type of vacation book? Should have a mad killer, a determined detective, damsel in distress ... and humor (from Twitter).
# Posted By Karen | 5/18/09 8:25 AM
Vacation books for me have to be good enough to be worth
reading but not so great that I'd rather lay around and read
than particpate in whatever my family is doing for vacation, so
it's a tough balance. Also, I vacation with three kids so it has
to be something that doesn't require complete concentration.
Some great choices have been Jasper Fforde and Haurki
Murakami's story collections.
# Posted By Katherine | 5/18/09 9:32 AM
For a vacation trip away, I like to read something that takes place in the area I'm visiting. It makes the trip more memorable and enhances my overall experience.
# Posted By Michelle | 5/19/09 5:29 AM
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