The best vacation books are immersive enough to make you miss your boarding announcement and compelling enough to keep you reading long after the sun goes down. Whether you’re looking for a romance to read by the pool, a thriller for your flight, or a literary novel that transports you somewhere new, these are the books worth packing this year.
When I have an upcoming vacation, it’s never as simple as just hopping on a flight. Behind every trip are a million little decisions I make on the front end to ensure it’s as fun and relaxing as possible. Vacation outfits are planned to a tee, itineraries are mapped out, and reservations are booked. But the most essential detail in my pre-trip planning that’s often overlooked by others is ensuring I have the perfect books to read on my vacation. Some people take a more casual, grab whatever’s for sale at the airport bookstore approach to vacation entertainment, but they’re severely underestimating the impact a good vacation read can have on a trip.
As someone who reads over 50 books a year, co-hosts The Everygirl Book Club, and gets paid to write about books for a living, it’s safe to say that choosing a vacation read is my own personal Super Bowl. Nothing gets me more excited than receiving a “what book should I pack?” text from a friend. Personally, I love coordinating my books to reflect the setting or themes of my destination for a truly immersive reading experience. I mean, what’s better than reading about a gorgeous beach vacation, as you’re literally sitting on a gorgeous beach? If you’re already dreading the research required to find the perfect read for your specific vacation, you can take a deep breath—I’ve taken the liberty of rounding them up for you below. Here are the best vacation books to read, no matter what kind of trip you’re going on.
Quick Picks: Which Vacation Book Should You Read?
- If you’re going to the beach: The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
- If you’re flying internationally: One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
- If you’re on a girls’ trip: Let’s Not Go Overboard Here by Erica Hendry
- If you’re traveling solo: Land by Maggie O’Farrell
- If you only have one weekend: The Missed Connection by Tia Williams
1. Summer in the City
If your summer plans include a weekend in New York (or any bustling city), this romance belongs in your carry-on.
Elle has the chance of a lifetime to write a big-budget movie set in New York City. But she’s had writer’s block for months. New York is the perfect place to write her screenplay…until she realizes her new neighbor is tech “Billionaire Bachelor” Parker Warren, her hookup from two years ago. He needs to fake a buzzy relationship during his company’s precarious acquisition. She needs to write a movie around a list of NYC locations. It’s all pretend…until it isn’t.
2. One by One
If you’re headed to the mountains this summer, what better way to make a thriller even creepier than reading it in a similar setting?
If you’re headed to the mountains this summer, what better way to make a thriller even creepier than reading it in a similar setting?
3. All Fours
All Fours isn’t a traditional road trip story, but it definitely takes you on a wild ride, and it’s just the entertainment you need if you have hours on the road ahead of you.
A semi-famous artist announces her plan to drive cross-country, from LA to NY. Thirty minutes after leaving her husband and child at home, she spontaneously exits the freeway, checks into a nondescript motel, and immerses herself in an entirely different journey to reinvent her sexual, romantic, and domestic life and find a new kind of freedom.
4. The Wedding People
For the bridesmaid who’s living out of a garment bag this summer, this is the perfect escape between wedding festivities.
Why We Loved It: It’s been years since I’ve read The Wedding People, and it’s still one of my go-to vacation book recommendations. Despite its heavier topics, it’s one of those books that will remind you that humanity can truly be beautiful.
When Phoebe Stone arrives at the Cornwall Inn, she’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years with her husband, only now she’s alone at rock bottom. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail except for Phoebe―which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.
5. One Italian Summer
If you’re tackling a solo trip this year, this book might just be better than any human companion.
Why We Loved It: If you want your Euro summer romance served alongside an addictive story diving into mother-daughter relationships, One Italian Summer is all of that and more.
When Katy’s mother dies, she is left reeling. To make matters worse, she is faced with embarking on their planned mother-daughter trip to Positano alone. But as soon as she steps foot on the Amalfi Coast, Katy begins to feel her mother’s spirit. And then Carol appears—in the flesh, healthy, sun-tanned, and thirty years old. Over the course of one Italian summer, Katy gets to know Carol, not as her mother, but as the young woman before her.
6. Wildfire
Whether you’re headed to the mountains or just wish you were, this romance is the perfect companion for embracing your outdoorsy era.
Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross paths at a party, where a drinking game results in them having a passionate one-night stand. Imagine their surprise when they bump into each other on the first day of the summer camp where they are both counselors, hoping to escape their complicated home lives by spending the summer working. Will the two learn to peacefully coexist? Or did their one night together start a fire they can’t put out?
7. Death in the Air
If your vacation itinerary includes a luxe resort, poolside cocktails, and a healthy dose of people-watching, this is the kind of book you’ll finish before checkout.
After he is dramatically forced to leave a high-profile job under mysterious circumstances, Ro Krishna decides it’s time to check in for some much-needed R&R at Samsara, a world-class spa for the global cosmopolitan elite. The colorful cast of characters Ro meets harbors a murderer among them. Maybe more than one. As the death toll rises, Ro, a lawyer by training, becomes embroiled in a vicious world where nothing is quite what it seems . . . including Ro himself.
8. The Hike
Think you’ve become impossible to surprise after reading every thriller out there? Pack this one for your next adventure—it just might prove you wrong.
Burned-out by both her marriage and work, Liz is desperate for an escape. So, when she plans a vacation with her three best friends, she persuades them to spend four nights camping in the stunning mountains of Norway. But as they stride farther from civilization, it becomes clear that the women are not the only ones looking to lose themselves in the mountains. If they’re not careful . . . not all of them will return.
9. Our Perfect Storm
If your ideal vacation includes salty air and losing track of time with a good book, Carley Fortune’s latest belongs in your beach bag.
Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. But it’s the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, and she doesn’t know if George will even show up. In walks George, and for one glorious evening, Frankie’s life is finally perfect—until her fiancé dumps her the next morning. George has a plan—he wants her to go on her honeymoon. With him. Frankie agrees, seeing the trip as one last chance to repair their friendship. Even if it means unearthing secrets and long buried feelings neither knows how to handle.
10. The Shampoo Effect
Channeling your coastal grandma era this summer? Curl up with this charming read between farmers market mornings and afternoons by the water.
When Caroline arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, she falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a kayak enthusiast with long hair and the personality of a Border collie. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal village, Van runs with the same crowd he did as a child. But when his ex discovers that she is pregnant with Van’s baby, the delicate balance of the group’s friendship is thrown off. Soon Caroline is cast out of the circle and what she does next exposes long-held secrets and works the entire town of Greenhead into a lather.
11. Great Big Beautiful Life
Packed with dreamy island vibes and Emily Henry’s signature wit, this is the kind of book you’ll want to finish before your flight home.
Why We Loved It: It’s no secret that we’re huge Emily Henry fans over here at The Everygirl, and her latest release is no exception. With an addictive rivals-to-lovers romance and a charming beach town, it demands to be read by the beach.
Alice and Hayden are both on Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—Margaret Ives, daughter of one of the most scandalous families of the 20th Century. Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story. But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad… depending on who’s telling it.
12. Let’s Not Go Overboard Here
Whether you’re spending your summer on the lake or just wish you were, this story is the perfect companion for slow days on the water.
Why We Loved It: I may be biased because this was a pick for The Everygirl Book Club, but Let’s Not Go Overboard Here is the campy pop-culture-fueled mystery that your vacation deserves.
In this twisty, uproarious debut, a pop culture obsessive uses her reality TV expertise to investigate a suspicious disappearance aboard a yacht… while falling for a hot deckhand and avoiding confronting her best friend’s untimely passing—perfect for fans of The Wedding People and Traitors.
13. Helpless
If your vacation plans include a cozy cabin, mountain views, or nights around a campfire, this thriller will keep you looking over your shoulder.
12 years ago, Faye broke Henry’s heart. Now, Faye is one half of a power-producing duo with her Hollywood husband. Henry is a married father running the family business. Both of their lives have essentially gone to plan—until Faye and Henry find themselves back on campus for a professor’s funeral. Henry is one of a kind—the kind who drugs and kidnaps her. When Faye comes to in Henry’s remote mountain cabin, she’s beside herself. As her week of captivity unfolds, Henry’s demands intensify, and a years-old mystery begins to take shape—one that will reveal an astounding, cataclysmic truth.
14. The Missed Connection
If your summer itinerary is packed full of flights and you love to daydream about your soulmate sitting in the seat next to you, you’ll love this sky-high romance.
On a flight to Paris for work, Sasha’s seated next to a broodingly attractive man, and sparks fly—but they never exchange contact information. Convinced she’s lost out on her soulmate, Sasha emails her work friend for help, but accidentally writes to the entire company worldwide. The international manhunt to find Seat F begins. Meanwhile, Sasha hires a smoldering detective she knew in another lifetime—who complicates matters in unforeseen (and irresistible) ways.
15. The Romance Revival
Whether you’re headed to Vegas or simply craving a vacation with a little more excitement, this romance delivers plenty of adventure along the way.
Three years ago, scientist Emery got married to Luca—the charming landscaper she met on one blistering night in Vegas. But now, Emery is consumed by her research, missing dinners, forgetting anniversaries, and promising herself Luca will understand once her cutting-edge discoveries come to light. Until the unthinkable happens: A tragic accident takes Luca from her. Desperate not to lose him, Emery breaks every rule, using the classified technology she’s developed to bring him back to life. And Luca would probably thank her for it, if only he could remember her.
16. Land
This historic read is perfect for setting the tone for a mountain or camping vacation!
On a windswept peninsula stretching out into the Atlantic, Tomás and his son, Liam, are working for the great Ordnance Survey project to map the whole of Ireland. The year is 1865, and the task is not an easy one. The British soldiers in charge are due to arrive any day, expecting the work to be completed, but Tomás is unexpectedly sent off course by an unsettling encounter in a copse. Liam is terrified by the sudden change in his taciturn father. What was it that caused such cracks to open in Tomás, and how is Liam, aged only 10, going to finish the mapping and get them both home?
17. The Someday Garden
If you’ve ever wished you could step inside a Nancy Meyers movie, this heartwarming story delivers all the cozy charm, beautiful settings, and feel-good moments you’re craving.
Why We Loved It: This novel may take the cake for the best fictional setting I’ve ever read. No matter what stressors await you upon your return from vacation, the whimsical gardens of Lilymoor will have you appreciating the beauty in the everyday.
When Sophie Drear plans her escape to coastal Maine for the summer—for a temporary job revitalizing the storied grounds at Lilymoor House—she doesn’t expect to fall in love with the land and the quirky staff. And then, the door appears. It leads her to a secret, and unfinished, garden with a frustrated thundercloud of a man trapped inside. With the help of one man on the outside of the secret garden, and one man on the inside, she might be the only person who can figure out exactly what Lilymoor needs to bloom once more.
Vacation Book FAQs
What makes a good vacation book?
Not every great book makes a great vacation read. The best vacation books are gripping from the very first page, fast-paced enough to keep you turning pages by the pool, and short enough to realistically finish before your trip is over. Whether you’re packing a romance, thriller, or horror novel, the genre matters less than finding a story you can’t put down. If a book has you staying in the sun long after you should’ve reapplied sunscreen just to read one more chapter, it’s the perfect book to read on vacation.
What books are best for the beach?
Many readers gravitate toward romance novels and summer thrillers at the beach, opting for page-turners that match the carefree vacation mood, but there’s no wrong answer when it comes to what makes a great beach read. Personally, I love choosing books set somewhere similar to where I’m traveling, whether that’s an oceanside thriller, a reflective novel by the sea, or a sun-soaked romance. And when in doubt, you can never go wrong with an Elin Hilderbrand book.
Should I bring a thriller or a romance on vacation?
It’s truly a matter of personal taste. I’m always in favor of experimenting with a new genre, but if you’re typically a romance reader, I wouldn’t make the vacation you’ve been looking forward to all year the time to test out thrillers and risk falling into a reading slump. My advice is to stick with a genre you already know and love. Whether that’s a page-turning thriller, a swoony romance, or something else entirely, the best vacation read is the one you’ll actually want to keep picking up.
What are the best books to read on a plane?
A key part of choosing the perfect vacation read is getting hooked before you even reach your destination. Rather than picking a book specifically for the flight, I’d recommend starting your vacation book as soon as you board and choosing it based on where you’ll be reading once you arrive. That way, you’ll already be invested by the time you’re lounging on the beach or relaxing by the pool.
How many books should I pack for vacation?
Every time I pack for a vacation, I somehow convince myself I’ll read five books in seven days and need to bring every single one. While everyone’s reading speed is different, chances are you won’t finish a book a day, even with the extra downtime. If you’re packing physical books, two is usually the sweet spot: one to enjoy during your trip and another to have on hand if you finish early or want something to read on the flight home.
What’s the best book if I only have a weekend trip?
Picking just one vacation read is nearly impossible, but whenever someone asks me for a vacation book recommendation, my answer is almost always The Wedding People. It’s immersive, emotional, and impossible to put down. If you’re only packing one book, this would be my pick.
What genres make the best vacation reads?
The real answer is that the best genre is whichever one you love to read. That said, if you’re looking for a foolproof choice, romance novels, thrillers, and fast-paced literary fiction are always great vacation reads.
Should I bring a physical book or a Kindle?
I love a gorgeous cover as much as the next girl, but when it comes to travel, Kindles and e-readers really are superior. You can pack your entire library in your carry-on bag without taking up any precious packing space, making it easy to bring all your vacation reads along without the extra weight.
Want more highly-rated book recommendations?
- 27 Beach Reads to Pack in Your Boat Tote This Summer
- Goodreads Just Released Their Top Books of the Year
- The Most Bingeworthy, Edge-of-Your-Seat Summer Thrillers
- These Viral BookTok Books Are Actually Worth Your Time
Lauren Blue, Associate Editor & Book Club Co-Host
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.
