The co-founder of Read My Blurb shares her top holiday reads

Bon voyage.

I recently arrived home after a few weeks in Scandinavia, and while I got my steps up exploring, some of my favourite moments away were the ones I spent perched at a cafe or on a long train ride with a book in hand. 

Perhaps it’s the rarity of not having constant access to WiFi, or maybe it’s the freedom of breaking out of a daily routine, but I always find that no matter how packed my itinerary is, holidays are always the best time to reconnect with reading. 

Looking for more thought-provoking reads? Try our Life section.

However, finding room in your suitcase for enough books to see you through requires a certain level of ruthlessness and certainty. Real estate is precious and depending on the airline weight limits are strict, so it pays to bring only the best of the best.

Whether you’re after a slow, meditative novel for the days you plan to spend lounging in the sun, or a fun and steamy romance to get you through a long plane ride, I’ve compiled a (non-exhaustive) list of my favourite holiday reads for every mood. 

If you want an observational novel with interesting characters

Outline series by Rachel Cusk

Rachel Cusk’s Outline series features three novels: Outline, Transit and Kudos. They each follow Faye, a writer and novelist, over several years as she travels, teaches and writes across different European cities. Each novel is told through encounters and conversations with different people, reading almost like short stories. It’s better to read them in order, but I’ve accidentally started them backwards, and have been loving them all the same.

Get it here.

If you want a queer story about obsession and desire set across Stockholm and Greece

Antiquity by Hanna Johansson

I was recently gifted a copy of Swedish author Hanna Johansson’s novel, Antiquity and I devoured it. Set between Stockholm and an island in Greece, Antiquity is a story about a writer who comes between an older artist and her teenage daughter. Perfect for fans of Call Me By Your Name and Lolita, it’s set during a hot, Greek summer, with days spent swimming and eating fruit.

Get it here.

If you want a sexy and witty romance set in the art world

The Work by Bri Lee

Written by the award-winning author Bri Lee, The Work follows Lally, a successful NYC gallerist, and Cam, a Sydney-based art dealer who’s just starting out in the art world. It covers interesting topics like ambition, art and power, but it’s also a lot of fun. As Jess (the second half of Read My Blurb) put it, it’s also got plenty of “intellectual smut” (in the best way of course).

Get it here.

If you want a mysterious novel set in the Spanish summer

Hot Milk by Deborah Levy

No holiday reading list is complete without Deborah Levy. Hot Milk follows Sofia, who travels to Spain with her mother Rose. Rose is in search of a cure for her mysterious illness, and Sofia is in search of something greater. It’s set in the summer, so it’s filled with references to the heat and swimming and, in true Levy fashion, plenty of symbolism. It’s a dreamy read that tackles themes of identity, duty and mother-daughter dynamics.

Get it here.

If you want to feel creatively inspired

Just Kids by Patti Smith

Just Kids has been around for a while now and I bet it has since influenced many young artists to pack up and move to New York in the hopes of reliving some of the magic Patti writes about. It starts as Patti moves to the city as a teenager and follows her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe as the two wade their way through New York’s creative scene.

Set in the ’60s and ’70s, there are encounters with the likes of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix and time spent at the iconic Chelsea Hotel. But in equal measure, the intimate moments and vulnerability in Patti’s writing are what really hooks you. 

Get it here.

If you want a fun, easy-read

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Funny Story is the latest novel by best-selling author Emily Henry. It follows Daphne, a librarian whose fiance leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Daphne is then forced to move in with Petra’s ex and confront the personal revelations that come with the end of a relationship. It’s an opposites-attract type of romance novel, with a picture-perfect small-town background and perfectly cheesy dialogue. Plus, if you have a Spotify account, you can download the audiobook for free – and it’s a charming listen!

Get it here.

If you want to laugh, cry and feel seen

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue

The Rachel Incident was my first proper introduction to Caroline O’Donoghue. After inhaling The Rachel Incident, I’ve since ordered the rest of her books and binged her podcast, Sentimental Garbage. The Rachel Incident is a hilarious novel about youth, sharehouses and growing up in Ireland. A coming-of-age story, Rachel’s friendship with James made me laugh and cry in equal measure. And when you’ve finished it, listen to Caroline’s interview with Dolly Alderton about the book here.

Get it here.

If you want a book that will hook you from page one

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Secret History is worth every square inch its 500-plus pages will take up in your suitcase. Don’t be intimidated by the size, either – it will hook you early on. Following Richard as he reflects back on his time at a liberal arts college in America, The Secret History opens with the murder of a classmate and then walks you through the lead-up to their death. Full of witty conversations, great characterisation and the perfect amount of suspense, it’s a difficult book to put down.

Get it here.

Find more reviews and recommendations from Read My Blurb here.