Upon us is the season of family road trips, beach getaways, barbecues galore and summer vacations away from those dreadful, heavy textbooks.
Traveling is the time when we aspire to worry less and soak in as much relaxation or adventure as possible. But is total and complete relaxation ever really achieved? I can’t think of a time where any trip planned with family or friends hasn’t had its share of hiccups. Throw in a few sunburns, some “where are we’s” with plenty of photos and you got yourself the perfect travel story. That’s why when it comes to finding a true getaway from a getaway, books are your trustworthy companion.
I find the best time to grab a book is on the way to my destination, like during a long flight across the country. If I’m not rushing to make my flight or waiting around impatiently for my delayed flight to be called, I’m seated at the airport with a book in one hand and an iced beverage in the other. Another great place to open up a book is when you are sitting in the back of a car on a long drive. If you happen to be a driver, audio books are a blessing (because reading while driving is highly not recommended). More often I find more and more people relaxing with an open book on the beach under an umbrella or poolside with a nice, cool drink on the side. And why not? All of these are ideal times to relax and venture off into your next great book.
For your summer travels, I have gathered some easy reads to accompany you on your voyages, wherever they may take you. These stories range from finding the answer to our most inner thoughts to the connection made between two unlikely worlds. They will teach you lessons on subjects you wouldn’t normally think about and give you an appreciation of the relationships you have or had. Grab some sunscreen, adjust your travel pillow and visit your local library to find your best travel accessory.
#Connect with us and tell us what books you love to take with you on your travels, near and far.
Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered: The Definite How-To Guide by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Straight from the women behind the hit podcast My Favorite Murder comes their first joint memoir. Here they share never-before-heard stories about their struggles and biggest mistakes while reflecting on the past that helped shaped them into the people they are today. In Stay Sexy, Karen and Georgia shine their charm onto the discussion of modern day social and cultural issues. They are honest, unapologetic and bring the type of connection only this duo is capable of.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
The debut novel from poet Ocean Vuong is a dazzling, heartbreaking tale of the relationship between a son’s letters and his mother who cannot read. His letters bring discovery of a family’s history deeply rooted before he was born and serves as a channel to parts of the life his mother never knew. This book is beautifully honest, asking the reader how we can heal each other without risking who we are.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Nature-lovers will enjoy this story of the town of Barkley Cove, North Carolina where the rumored “Marsh Girl” has frequented for years. Kya Clark was abandoned at 10 and has survived on her own by making the marsh her home. She longs for human connection, so when two men from the local town come into her life, she unusually opens up to them. The unthinkable happens when a local heart-throb is found dead and the locals immediately suspect her of the crime.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
The title alone is enough to draw criticism and attention, but don’t judge a book by its cover. Mark Manson’s take on positive thinking and searching for happiness contrasts the familiar opinions of many. He doesn’t sugar coat the hard lessons and tells it like it is, whether you like it or not. He leaves us to question about the things we believe to care about and rethink the things we should care about. Fair warning; many of his thoughts and accounts use language not suitable for children. Nonetheless, readers are sure to enjoy his many stories and life lessons.
Fifty Things That Aren’t My Fault by Cathy Guisewite
Fans of the popular Cathy comic with recognize the straightforward, comedic writing style of Cathy Guisewite in this autobiography. With insight from her years after writing her beloved comic strip, including post-retirement tales and helping her aging parents in everyday tasks, she shares from her own experience about the later years and what to expect.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
In Shaker Heights, everything is done in accordance with a plan – from the color of your house to the success of its residents. Elena Richardson lives these principles to the upmost along with her family. When Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl rent a home from the Robinsons in their neighborhood, trouble begins to brew. Mia is determined to keep the troubles in her past hidden. When a friend of the Robinsons attempts to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle begins which drives the neighborhood against each other. This book is bound to keep readers on the edge of their hammocks and grasping onto their lemonades.
Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media by Brittany Hennessy
The library had the privilege to host our first ever Library After Hours event with Brittany Hennessy as our guest speaker. During her talk, she shared many great stories and tips about the business of influencer marketing and personal stories from her experiences in this field. In Influencer, she goes in-depth and share valuable insight on developing your own brand by using social media and the daily interactions that come with it. She brings practical knowledge to those who may not understand the business and useful inside information to those who want to venture into the influencer world.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Connell and Marianna live completely opposite lives; he is the well-adjusted, star-athlete on his soccer team, while she remains a shy, private student. Things change when Connell picks up his mother from her job at Marianne’s house and a significant connection begins – one they are determined to keep a secret. A year later, they are both studying at Trinity College in Dublin where Marianne is the socialite of the college and Connell becomes the shy, uncertain one. Throughout their years in college, they are frequently drawn back together as they try saving themselves and each other from life’s manifestations.
This tragic comedy about Frances Price, a widow who is trying to figure out how to be a mother, her 32 year old son who is deeply attached and cannot live alone and the scandal left behind from her dead husband will have your eyes glued to the pages. After spending all of her late husband’s money, she escapes from Manhattan to Paris with her son. Trouble seems to follow her in the form of characters like the psychic who offers a ritual, a doctor who loves drinking wine and Madame Reynard, the aggressive houseguest who also came from America. Get ready to laugh, cry and possible enjoy a croissant or two.
What better place to visit than our own backyard, right? Lauren Groff takes the reader into a world we thought we knew, but are unaware of. These stories span centuries in our own home state and connect life-changing events in its characters such as a curious homeless woman, a pair of abandoned sisters, a conflicted wife and more. Florida was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2018, and readers are sure to agree.
