The best book to read on vacation is in the eye of the beholder. For some, getting lost in a faraway fantasy world or suspenseful thriller appeals. For others, getting lost in whirlwind romances is the way to go. Whatever your preference, we recommend packing one of these fun reads to dive into during your summer outings.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
We found this psychological thriller to be a gut-wrenching journey––suspenseful and surprise-packed. Hollywood must agree, as this book makes its film debut this fall.
Every day is the same. Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. Until today. She sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?
The Sweetheart Deal by Polly Dugan
This one packs all the ingredients for a great story: love, loss, secrets, betrayal, and the chance to love again.
Twelve years after a drunken pact, consummate bachelor Garrett is forced to confront his promise to marry his best friend’s wife, Audrey. Audrey is devastated after her husband’s sudden passing and is struggling to navigate her new life as a widow and single parent. When Garrett shows up for support, feelings between Audrey and Garrett begin to grow. That is until Audrey finds out about the pact…
Grace: A Novel by Natashia Deon
A multigenerational story about strong women in one of the darkest eras of American history.
In the 1840s American South, 15-year-old Naomi escapes from her master’s plantation in Alabama only to learn that life on the run can be just as dangerous as life in captivity. She takes refuge in a Georgia brothel and soon begins a star-crossed love affair with a white man, which leads to a daughter named Josey. Years later, Josey finds herself in the middle of history with the Emancipation Proclamation, and the violence that ensues because of this.
So Close by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
We knew this would be a hit as soon as we heard it was written by the same authors as The Nanny Diaries. It also speaks to the craziness we’re enduring on account of this year’s U.S. presidential election.
Having spent her whole life in her trailer park Florida hometown, Amanda Beth Luker finally thinks she’s found her way out: Tom Davis, a successful lawyer with politics on his mind. Amanda keeps close to Davis, ending up in Washington when he becomes a senator. But when Amanda learns of some serious moral indiscretions from Davis, her loyalty is tested.
Mr. Mercedes: A Novel (The Bill Hodges Trilogy) by Stephen King
Perhaps no respected list of must-reads would be complete without mentioning a Stephen King book. By suggesting this trilogy, we’re actually suggesting three. Mr. Mercedes is the first in the suspenseful series, followed by Finders Keepers and the finale End of Watch just released this summer.
Hundreds of unemployed hopefuls are lined up for a job fair. Without warning, a merciless driver plows through the crowd in a roaring Mercedes. Eight people are killed; 15 are wounded. The killer escapes into the early-spring fog never to be seen from again. Until now, Detective Bill Hodges is a battle-hardened and streetwise crime fighter originally assigned to the Mercedes killings. Now retired, Hodges has lost his way in boredom and depression craving the thrills of taking down the region’s most notorious criminals. When a disturbing letter from the Mercedes Killer arrives at his door, Hodges soon finds himself uncontrollably drawn into a cat-n-mouse pursuit with stakes beyond comprehension.