Bibliotherapy: Books to Remedy Any Holiday Reading Dilemma

Symptom: Indecision Regarding Holiday Reading

Cure: Books Which Induce Utter absorption with Limited Effort

There are two things to avoid when planning your holiday reading.  Firstly don’t leave it until the last moment.  Books hastily picked up at the airport or from WHSmith on your way home from work the day before you go are unlikely to be the books you really want to read.  And secondly, don’t think this will be the holiday when you finally read War and Peace.  It won’t be.  No matter what you think.  Holidays are made for relaxation; for down time when the brain is allowed to ‘slump’ a little and normal standards are permitted to slip.  This doesn’t mean resorting to Mills and Boon – although if that’s your thing then go ahead and enjoy.  There is nothing wrong with a little reading challenge.  In fact it may be that your relaxed holiday state enables you to read books which at other times would not hold your attention.  Ultimately though Holiday reading should consist of books which enable you to give yourself up to them utterly and completely, and books which you want to devour in big hearty gulps.

As I know I have said before on these pages, I give my holiday reading lots of thought and attention.  I want to get it right, and over the years I think I have perfected a tried and tested formula for my holiday reading choices.  It goes something like this.

• Something Summery
• Something familiar
• Something set in the country I’m visiting
• Something rather British
• A surprise or two

I think the following books and authors meet at least one of these criteria and are books I have read happily and greedily during the heady days of summer

Heat Wave by Penelope Lively

Heat Wave is the story of a family fragile and teetering on the edge of potential destruction. There is a tenseness in the relationships, the weather and the situation which is brilliantly captured in Lively’s taut writing.  From the outset, there is the promise of a building storm.  If you are experiencing a sultry summer this is for you.  I read it last year during those endless days of heat and it could not have been more perfect.

One Day by David Nichols

Oh David Nichols. Was there ever a book which brought with it such heartbreak and misery but also so much untold joy.  I recently listened to Dolly Alderton & Pandora Sykes discuss this book in their podcast The High Low.  One of them, I think it was Dolly said she reads this book at least once a year and cries every time and loves it just a little bit more.  My husband and I both read this on a holiday.  I can’t remember which holiday but I can clearly remember the book.  Enough said.

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

Its a classic and one I love.  If your summer is going to be quintessentially British this year or if you are heading to Italy (venice in particular) then this is one for you.  I love an eccentric upper class English story with country houses, doting parents and foolish offspring.  If you are looking for a classic read this summer then I would recommend this one.

The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall

Emylia Hall is one of those writers who I happen to believe is hugely underrated.  She is a wonderful story teller and I adore her books.  The Book of Summers was her debut novel and is set in Hungary which might be handy if you are visiting Hungary this year. I really enjoy Emyila Hall’s writing she has the ability to creates a tremendous sense of place.  A coming of age story set in the beauty of Hungarian countryside at the height of the scorching summer temperatures. This is a lovely book to lose yourself in and the title lends itself to Summer reading.

Anything by Jo Jo Moyes

Jo Jo Moyes spins a very good yarn.  Any of her books will be guaranteed to transport you into the lives of the characters, so that you eat and breathe their every move.  Her most famous is probably Me Before You but she has such a back catalogue that I don’t think you can go wrong whichever you choose.

My other rule for summer holiday reading, is never under pack.  My biggest nightmare is being without a book. Anywhere.  But especially on holiday. So I always pack one more than I think I will need and ensure my husbands reading choices include something which would also appeal to me in an emergency.

NB: NEVER a Kindle.  I want my books to return home covered in just as much suntan cream, salt water and sun induced wrinkles as me

Whether you are travelling far afield or staying put this summer may your holiday reading be absorbing and joyful.