Five Summer reads for your travels

Summer reading list

Some people use the extra room in their suitcase for shoes. Some save space for a souvenir shopping spree.

Others insist on packing full-size toiletries.

And then there are the readers.

The ones standing over an open suitcase trying to determine how many books is reasonable for a seven-day trip 🧐

Whether you're heading to a Caribbean resort, a European city, or simply sneaking away for a long weekend, a good book can make a great trip even better.

If you're looking for your next beach read, poolside companion, or airplane distraction, I've got a few recommendations. Better yet, each one pairs nicely with a destination that deserves a spot on your travel wish list, too 📖

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One relationship that's clearly more complicated than either wants to admit.

📍 Pairs Well With: Croatia

Charming coastal towns, long dinners by the water, and plenty of opportunities for your own vacation storyline.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley: A glamorous wedding on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, featuring stunning scenery, family drama, and one very unfortunate murder.

📍 Pairs Well With: Ireland

The dramatic landscapes and moody atmosphere make this the perfect destination pairing. Maybe just skip the isolated island wedding?

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith: A psychological thriller that follows Tom Ripley, a man obsessed with the glamorous lifestyle of a wealthy American living in Italy.

📍 Pairs Well With: The Amalfi Coast

The setting is so quintessentially Italian that you'll be craving pasta, a seaside hotel, and a plane ticket by chapter three.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah: A gripping story about a family seeking a fresh start in the wilds of Alaska, only to discover that survival takes many forms.

📍 Pairs Well With: Alaska

Whether you're cruising through Glacier Bay or spotting wildlife from a lodge, the setting makes this pairing almost too perfect.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: A reclusive Hollywood icon finally tells the story behind her fame, marriages, scandals, and secrets.

📍 Pairs Well With: Palm Springs

With its retro charm and Hollywood history, Palm Springs is the perfect backdrop for a book you'll have trouble putting down.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a very important decision to make: go buy a new book or tackle the stack already sitting on my nightstand.

Happy reading!

Debbie Ellis

📚 P.S. If your beach bag is already full of books but your calendar is looking suspiciously empty, hit reply and let's fix that.