I’m packing for a vacation as I write this. Sunshine and no-work for five days—I can’t wait. The only drawback is limited suitcase space for all I’ll want to bring. Especially when it comes to packing the right book.
I believe there’s an art to choosing the perfect Vacation Read, and I’m not sure I’ve uncovered it yet. Do I save a new bestseller from one of my favorite authors ever? Or would the reading experience be too frustrating on vacation for a book I really want to savor? Inevitably, I’ll have to pick up and put down any book that I bring numerous times.
I could always choose a well-loved classic. Rereading Susan Elizabeth Phillips backlist is always a pleasure, and because I know how the books end, there’s not the same driving need to find out what happens next. It’s easier to pick up and put down that kind of story.
But then I have to ask myself is there a certain genre/subgenre of books that make for great vacation reading? Is it more fun to read a light romance or comedy of errors while on holiday, or is this the time to break out something scary? Maybe I need to think about if I want a vacation from my usual reading, too, or if being on vacation simply means finding time to read the same things I’ve always loved.
So I’m open to advice here. What do you pack to read while on vacation and why? A thick paperback suspense, an e-reader full of things you’ve been saving up for months, or an old standby you’ve meaning to revisit?
****Prize awarded to a random poster chatting on the thread this week. Winner will receive Joanne’s Night Eyes book, DON’T LOOK BACK and JUST ONE LOOK.
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Good morning.
Funny you should ask - I am going with my girlfriend Wed to Vegas and always pack a few skinnies as I call them - SSE, Blaze of similiar. Try to pick something light - I dont want to be crying on the plane. I cry at the drop of a hat as it is - so, I pick something that wont embarras me and nothing with a racy cover usually as I get enuf teasing at work as it is.
Happy Monday to all.
by Pat L.
on April 16th, 2007 at 7:46 am
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I meant to say OR similiar. I guess Blaze sometimes wouldnt be a good choice, huh with their covers? LOL.
by Pat L.
on April 16th, 2007 at 7:48 am
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I usually use vacations as a chance to read that book I have meaning to read!! Which means I should really take more vacations…. :) :)
by Kathleen
on April 16th, 2007 at 8:07 am
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I like to read any Harlequin book. They are normally on the shorter side, the books are smaller for packing and carrying around in my beach bag. The stories are always filled with all the elements that I want from a good romance, spice, love and comedy. If I was going away that would be on my list. Of course, any book by SEP is wonderful and I would highly recommend any rereading of any of her novels.
by patty L.
on April 16th, 2007 at 9:16 am
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For a vacation I’d definitely pick something light. If I picked a suspense book I wouldn’t put it down before finishing it and this would not mean a vacation, it’d be like all indoors. So I’d go for contemporary romance or historical. It’s something I could leave for a while then come back to and pick up from where I left.
by Mona
on April 16th, 2007 at 9:50 am
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If I had an e-book reader, I would definitely include that in my suitcase. It saves so much space and you can load lots of books to read.
by Lisa W
on April 16th, 2007 at 10:12 am
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I sometimes go to the library just be going on vacation and see if any interesting books to read.
by Deborah
on April 16th, 2007 at 10:12 am
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It depends on if I don’t have anything new to read, I would pack some of my favorites to re-read.
by Shuck Ying
on April 16th, 2007 at 10:13 am
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I use vacations as a time to get some of those TBR books off of my bookshelf. So, I pack away one or two of those paperback and then take along my ebook reader (Pocket PC…so useful for other things too) as backup.
by Jennifer K.
on April 16th, 2007 at 10:26 am
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I also have a big TBR pile that I would choose a couple of good books to take with me. Probably something new by one of my favorite authors.
by Teresa W.
on April 16th, 2007 at 10:44 am
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I was on vacation last week and took WAAAAY too many books because I have a morbid fear of being in the mood for, say, a romantic suspense and having only historicals on hand. But I spent most of the week reading–and then re-reading–Lisa Kleypas’ brilliant SUGAR DADDY, so I highly recommend it. And don’t worry–even though it’s women’s fiction, there is a happy ending.
Ann :grin:
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When I go on holiday I pack at least a book per day. I enjoy having thick, juicy books which I normally all finish. I read at the beach, or on the deck and relax with a book during the evening. The books I prefer to take are all ones that have been waiting and have never been read and most of the time mystery, or romantic suspense.
by pearl
on April 16th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
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I take a ‘light read’ type of book and my Palm reader.
by RobynL
on April 16th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
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I always pack a few extra books to take with me, plus I will carry my PDA that has a lot of ebooks on it.
by Tammy G
on April 16th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
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I usually pick a light-hearted romances from my TBR pile.
by Maureen
on April 16th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
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I read all kinds of stuff on holiday: David Attenborough’s Life on Air, Agatha Christie’s books, all kinds of romance books, travel books about someone else’s travels etc. And it’s a very good thing if there is a bookstore near by!
by Minna
on April 16th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
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When I travel I usually fly so I check out the books at the airport shops since there is so much waiting around time.
by Karen B
on April 16th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
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I usually pick shorter reads to take on vacation.
by Crystal B.
on April 16th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
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It depends on where I’m going to vacation, but over the past several years, I’ve developed a new habit. Wherever I go, I try and visit a local bookstore and pick up some books by the local authors. I’ve found great books in Jekyll Island, Savannah, Charleston, Mackinac Island, etc.
Otherwise, I pack a few series reads that I don’t mind getting wet on the beach, and I know will be good quick reads.
Have a great vacation.
by Sandra M
on April 16th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
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Well, for our vacation this year myhusband is going to lend me his pda so I can read some a bunch of ebooks I have been saving. This will save me having to pack so many books. I am still going to pack a few print books as backup and these will be never read before books. I love the excitement of a fresh new never before read book for my vacations.
by Cherie Japp
on April 16th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
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This is actually a tough one for me because since I’ve been reading romances, I haven’t gone on vacation. LOL And the last time I actually did go on vacation, I only had a few of my science books, and I got more Star Trek novels back them. So lets see. . . I think if I were going away, I would maybe only stick with one or two new, haven’t read books and go with as many just loooooved books that I already read that I can fit into my bags. And make sure I can visit a bookstore where I’m going on vacation too.LOL :)
Lois
by Lois
on April 16th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
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Usually on vacation I take a jackie collins book, they’re fun, not too emotional and easy to get lost in for a few hours :mrgreen:
by Lis
on April 16th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
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I don’t take along a book unless the trip requires a long flight. I like to read books in one or two sittings so it’s hard to read while on vacation.
by Sue A.
on April 16th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
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I think Bravas are excellent vacation reads. I finished Karen Kelley’s Close Enounters of the Sexy Kind, which is a light, fun and sexy paranormal, but not overly so. It’s mostly on Earth.
And I highly recommend Jill Shalvis’ Smart and Sexy. It’s hot and sexy - pilots and danger and hot, hot love scenes - fabulous read!
Have fun on your vacay ;)
by Stacy ~
on April 16th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
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I always take more books than I can read, but better too many than not enough. Of course maybe that is why my TBR pile is as large as it is. I always take a smaller book that will fit in my pocketbook and longer reads for when I am in the hotel room.
by Joyce
on April 16th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
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I don’t usually take books on vacation with me because I don’t want to continually start and stop reading. Also, I cherish my books, so I am always afraid that I am going to leave one behind. Therefore, I take magazines with me on vacation since I can discard them when I am finished and have some more room to take home souveniers! 
by Linda F
on April 16th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
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Oh, I use vacations as another excuse to buy new books (I always pack away emergency books too). If we’re flying, that means a trip to the airport bookstore. Otherwise it means a trip to the local book store. Or sometimes it means once we get to where we’re going I have to find somewhere to find a book (or two lol). In othe words, vacations are another excuse to buy more books and since it’s a vacation - cost doesn’t count.
by catslady
on April 16th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
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usually magazine and romance paperback
by kim h
on April 16th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
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I recently faced this dilemma when I packed to visit Western Samoa. I loaded up my palm reader with dozens of ebooks and took four big, fat paperbacks. Two were old favorites I wanted to reread and the others were new ones I’d saved specially for the occasion. I had a wonderful time and read so much I think my eyes turned square ;-)
by Shelley
on April 16th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
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I too take a variety of books: contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense both short and long varieties, that way whatever my mood is, playful, sexy, dreamy I’ve got it covered. I never take books along that I’ve already read. I want to experience something FRESH!
by Laurie G
on April 17th, 2007 at 5:27 am
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I always bring a backpack just for books. :-) And a variety from a bunch of different genres. Romance, mystery, fantasy, SF, because who knows what I’ll want to read at any given time!
And of course, must take the ppc, since there are even more books on there.
by Nicole
on April 17th, 2007 at 8:05 am
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I don’t travel but if I did I think I would only bring one paperback, a suspense by one of my favorite authors, and then I would buy more if I finished the one I was reading.
by Carol
on April 17th, 2007 at 9:52 am
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I don’t go on vacation, but I would take anthologies like the Bad Boys series. You can’t go wrong with those books! :grin:
by Susan
on April 17th, 2007 at 10:24 am
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When I go on vacation I inevitably bring a book. Usually it is just one of the ones that I happen to be reading. I am always reading something. I generally make the plan to read on the way to the vacation destination but I end up talking the whole way with my husband, and never get to the book. When we get to where we are going I plan to read at times, but get too busy.
Vacation is probably the only time all year that I am not reading. :grin:
by Shannon Upright
on April 17th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
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I don’t go on vacation. But if I did Iwould take a variety of books.
by Emma
on April 22nd, 2007 at 8:14 am
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I like the idea of bringing a book shopping budget :-).
Thank you for visiting with me this week! The winner is Lois… Lois, I’ll be contacting you via private email to send you the books.
Happy Reading!
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congrats Lois
by RobynL
on April 22nd, 2007 at 1:45 pm
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wtg lois
by kim h
on April 22nd, 2007 at 6:01 pm
