15+ Good Books to Read on Vacation

A vacation is the best time to kick back, relax, and enjoy a good book (or several). There’s nothing quite as magical as chilling out with one of your good books to read knowing that you have an uninterrupted amount of time in front of you to read. Without schedules, to-do lists, and work, you can fully sink into a story and experience with the characters — all while enjoying the scenery of your vacation destination.

All bookworms know that when you go on vacation, the first thing you have to pack is a really good book. Choosing just a few to take with you is almost impossible though. If you’re not sure what good books to read on your next adventure, don’t worry. You can’t go wrong with any of the following books. Whether you want something to mimic your chill beach getaway, a heart-pounding thriller to entertain you during your long flight or car ride, or a tome to whisk you away from the first page, we’ve got you covered.

If You Want Some Dirt

Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham

This is Lauren Graham’s memoir about working on Gilmore Girls (both times), so if you’re a GG fan and want behind the scenes dirt, you definitely want to check this one out!

It’s Not Okay by Andi Dorfman

You all know by now how much we love #BachelorNation, so of course, we couldn’t turn down the chance to get some insider info — and Andi does NOT hold back about what it was like to be on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.

If You Like Solving Mysteries

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

If you loved the HBO series, you will love this book even more. If you haven’t watched the HBO series yet, then drop what you’re doing and go watch it. Now.

The Vanishing Year by Kate Moretti

Nagging paranoia, burning questions, and boundless revenge. As Zoe’s past and secrets begin to catch up with her, her picture-perfect life unravels until she finds herself caught in the middle of a story she never thought was possible.

If You’re Craving Some Adventure

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

The second knock-out book from Khaled Hosseini is full of emotion. As two women fight to survive in Afghanistan, he takes you through decades of history to make a statement on family, friendship, and love.

The Lord of the Rings (Complete Set) by J.R.R. Tolkein

The books that inspired six movies are full of grand quests to save the world from evil. As Frodo struggles to destroy The One Ring, his friends work to battle the forces of darkness across Middle Earth — it’s a classic everyone needs to get lost in.

If You’re On the Move

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This book is the true story of one woman’s midlife crisis and the around-the-world journey she took to figure out what truly made her happy — and it’s the perfect companion if you’re taking your own soul-searching adventure.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

All of Dan Brown’s books are great if you are country-hopping around Europe because each book is set in a different major European city. I started with The Da Vinci Code and made my way through the entire “Robert Langdon” series by the time I backpacked my way through 10 European countries.

If You Want to Make Your Heart Pound

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Ani works hard to have a perfect life — she’s got the man, the dream job, and a past full of demons. As the appearance of perfect happiness begins to splinter, Ani is forced to face the horrible things that happened to her and finally become the person she’s been all along.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

In the blink of an eye, Jason’s life is turned upside down. He wakes to find he’s strapped to a gurney, his family doesn’t exist, and he’s no longer the person he thought he was. In this sci-fi thriller, you’ll go an unexpected adventure full of darkness, adversity, and painful truths.

If You Want to Make Your Heart Flutter

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Loving someone who doesn’t want to live isn’t easy. This quirky romance will suck you in, play the saddest song with your heartstrings, and leave you reeling when it’s finished.

Anything by Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin is the author of Something Borrowed, the New York Times bestselling novel-turned hit movie. But that’s not the only book of hers that’s worth reading — she has eight other “chick lit” novels that are just as funny, light-hearted, and easy to breeze through. If you’re headed somewhere relaxing, these books are the perfect beach reads.

If You Want a Book to Get Absolutely Lost In

A Million Junes by Emily Henry

This is one of those books that’s hard to describe but impossible to put down. It puts you under a spell as the lines between reality and fantasy become blurred. Not to mention the writing is so beautiful it should be put in a museum.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

This little book is packed with the unexpected. On a normal day, a little boy makes a new friend with the little girl down the lane and finds himself in a much larger and more magical and dangerous world than he ever imagined possible. Going back to a normal life afterward is easier said than done.

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