Right now we need a way to transport our minds away from the couch. Here are five novels that will take you away. Imagine sand between your toes and the sun on your skin. Why not sip a pina colada too?
Dive In Deep by Ali Parker
If you love romance and like it a bit steamy, this book should be on your radar. Dive In Deep focuses on three young women who have just finished their final year at college and decide to go on vacation together as a last hoorah. This may be the last time they see each other.
The main character, Sade, meets the owner of the hotel they’re staying at and, of course, he’s tall, tanned and good looking. Trent instantly wants to get to know Sade and show her a good time while the friends stay for a week.
This is a quick read and the first in a trilogy. Once you’ve read this book, you’ll want to pick up the next one. I get butterflies in my tummy just thinking about going on holiday. I have booked my holidays for between June and August and they hang in the balance!
Right now I’d like to sit by the pool with my friends and a cocktail. If you feel like getting in a romantic mood in a holiday setting, you need to read this book.
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
This book is set along the UK’s coast and is a fictional take on a true story. Raynor Winn learns Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill and their home and livelihood is taken away.
They have nothing left apart from some camping equipment so they decide to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path, which runs from Somerset to Dorset via Devon and Cornwall.
Although sad, The Salt Path is beautifully written and tells the raw story of the determination and love between a married couple. It also sheds a different light on how we should view homeless people and be more compassionate towards each other.
Dorset is beautiful and I had the pleasure of visiting once during a hot May. With scenic settings, rocky hills and soft sand it’s hard to keep away. There’s so much to do in the county alongside plenty of fresh air and open spaces to run around in or relax and read a book. I’d suggest this one!
The Labyrinth Of The Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
This is the fourth novel in the Cemetary Of Forgotten Books series by this amazing Spanish author. Translated from Spanish, they are eloquent beyond belief.
The Labyrinth Of Spirits is set in the mid-20th century and, although a continuation in time line from the previous books, this can be read as a stand-alone.
The great thing about the series is the books can be read in any order as they feature the same characters, just at different points of their lives. This book has a special place in my heart because it was the first to introduce me to Zafón’s magical, historical world.
Most of all, it transported me to the streets of Barcelona, where all the books are set. I’ve never been to the city but, after reading these books, I would love to. Barcelona has an incredible history and there’s so much to discover. If you’d like a free tour, read this book!
Beach Read by Emily Henry
This is about two authors trying to write their next best-sellers. Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of fiction, while January Andrews writes romance. Andrews writes happy ever afters, whereas Everett has no qualms about killing off favourite characters.
Suffering writer’s block, they decide to swap genres in this hate to love story. Reading a book by the ocean without a care in the world, what more could you ask for?
Since no-one can do that at the moment, the next best thing is to read a book about being on the beach, reading and writing and breathing books!
The Little Shop Of Happy Ever After by Jenny Colgan
The first in the Scottish Bookshop series, this book is the perfectly cute getaway you need. Nina has gone from a job she loves in a Birmingham library to unemployment. She decides to launch a mobile book shop but makes it even harder by driving it up and down the Scottish Highlands.
A book-lover and hoarder, Nina is able to sell collections of her own books and others the library doesn’t want. Nina not only sells great books, she recommends them based on people likes and dislikes as she has a knack for reading people too!
This fabulous book takes you away, no matter how boring and cooped-up you might be. Colgan’s romantic writing is a true treasure.
That’s a fine mix of destinations your mind can drift to. Hang in there, you’ll find you can travel anywhere using the power of your imagination.
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