Books I’m Taking on Vacation!

writer_alexandra_lee
Jul 26, 2021
4 min read

Summer is quickly waning away (insert sad face), but August still remains, which for me includes camp, beaches, sight-seeing, and books! I wanted to share with you the books I plan to take on vacation and also a few I’m going to take to camp. This list may seem a little excessive, but many of these books are quite short. I’m also going to spend a lot of time in the car, so I might as well attempt to make a dent in my summer TBR instead of napping for hours on end.

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

Since reading King of Scars in March, I have long-awaited getting my hands on the sequel. In case you haven’t heard, I absolutely love Leigh Bardugo and the Grishaverse. Six of Crows is my favorite fantasy book. I look forward to seeing how Bardugo chose to wrap up her second duology. The first book ended on a cliff-hanger (and a big one at that), so I’m definitely trying to get to this book ASAP.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Recognize this title? If you do, it's because it was on my TBR list in June. I skimmed through the first few pages and was quite intrigued. Sadly, it fell into the background and I never got around to reading it, but take two! I’ve been craving a new and exciting sci-fi. Hopefully, this will satisfy my craving and maybe even become a new favorite.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Another book that has been on my list for months, and one that I find absolutely intimidating due to its size. Once I get into this beast of a classic, I expect to enjoy it. The storyline intrigues me and Anna Karenina herself appears to be a strong lead. This will be my first Tolstoy, so wish me luck.

Why God Won’t Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief by Andrew B. Newberg

This is a title I picked up at a used book sale and have been holding on to for at least a year. Psychology and neurology have always interested me. From what I understand, this book discusses why we believe in religion and some of the motivations behind our beliefs. The next time I’m in the mood for a nonfiction piece, this one will definitely be at the top of the list.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

I’ve been (slowly) working my way through a “100 classic books to read list.” I’ve only read about fourteen so far, but this is a book that’s been on my radar for a while. I love war movies/books—there’s something so humbling, emotional, and absolutely terrifying about getting a glimpse at some of the darkest moments in history, sympathizing with the characters, and trying to imagine yourself in their positions. For those reasons, I’m very much looking forward to this classic war novel.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

A re-read! I don’t do re-reads often, mainly due to the fact that I have so many unread books on my shelf that I feel guilty when I read a book I’ve already read. But, since I’m going on vacation and Red Rising is a quick read, I’m ecstatic to be returning to the first book in a series I’ve fallen in love with over the course of the year.

Anything for Jane by Cheryl Mendelson

From what I understand this novel follows an array of characters—each with their individual quirks and eccentricities—wrapped up in a comical, yet thematic and profound story. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read, so I’m excited to dive into it.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

The reason this book so unexpectedly caught my eye is due to a little Google search I did last week. Whilst scouring the internet for some literary quotes, I came across this one—”Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” I’m by no means a lover of the romance genre, but, for some reason, this quote made me in the mood to read a romance! Plus, I had a copy of Wuthering Heights sitting on my shelf, so I don’t think I need to say anymore.

The Best Seven Years of My Life by George Shannon and Chad Patrick Shannon

This is another title I picked up from a book sale. I believe this is a true story/memoir following an ill wife and her husband’s struggles to care for her. I think it’s going to be sad, yet heart-warming. There is a rather lengthy quote on the back cover, which gives the reader a taste of the writing style. If the story is as well-written as the paragraph on the back, this book is going to be an adventure.

Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton

The final book. Yay! This is a book I recently received from my grandma, which talks about taking time out of your day to just sit and enjoy the silence. Relaxing is an area I often struggle with because I always feel like there is something I should be doing—school, writing, reading, cleaning, etc., so I think I’ll find this book to be helpful and enlightening.

That’s all for this post! Thank you for taking the time to read it. What books are you planning to read in the up-coming weeks? Make sure to comment them below and subscribe so you don’t miss future posts.

It’s been a pleasure writing for you, and until next time—stay weird and stay writing. - Lexi