Next week my family is taking their annual trip to Mexico. I am so lucky that I get to go on this trip and do nothing but read, soak up the sun, eat chips and guacamole, and drink beer. As an English teacher, I get very excited with the idea of an entire week of uninterrupted novel reading time, and I have started to put together my list for the week. I have also become the family librarian, with my mother, sister, dad and husband all asking for recommendations for their vacation read. Each person has a different criteria, and I think that I lead them in the right direction. I'll start with my list first and then give a few ideas that I gave Travis and Sally.
To start and finish I'll begin the with the last of the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins called Mockingjay.
These young adult novels follow a female bad ass named Katniss Everdeen as she struggles to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic America. It has elements of romance, action, and violence and will keep you on your toes through the entire series. This is a MUST READ. Do it. Do it now.
Secondly, I will look to a novel recommended by my friends Kristen and John who are avid readers. It is by Jonathan Tropper and is called This Is Where I Leave You.
The novel has a sad premise: it follows a family that spends seven days and nights under the same roof remembering their deceased father. This is all while the main character is undergoing a painful divorce. But, I have been told that it is really funny. Hard to imagine that this could be funny, but I will take my chances.
For my third choice, I am thinking of starting the second installment of The Girl With The Dragan Tatoo by Stieg Larsson called The Girl Who Played With Fire.
I read the first one last year in Mexico and I have to admit it was a tough start. It takes place in Sweden, which is cold, and is a crime drama which is not always my first choice. But, I will say, once I got started I was hooked. It follows magazine publisher and journalist Mikael Blomkvist and another kick ass female character Lisbeth Salander. I must have a thing with strong women. I had to finish it the same day I started. I have also been told that the second and third book are just as hard to put down.
I am still thinking about my fourth choice for the week. I'm sure it will be something easy like a Peter Mayle book or a chick lit book, something that fits the ease of the vacation.
For Travis/husband:
I recommended the Hunger Games series for him. I have a few guy students who have DEVOURED these books, and I think Travis will do the same. He is also reading another from his favorite author Peter Mayle called Anything Considered. Peter Mayle is famous for is novel turned movie A Good Year. All of his novels have a similar premise: an aimless, overworked, single, rich man looking for a big move. Usually to the French countryside. Also, there is a beautiful, smart French woman who helps the overworked rich man solve some kind of crime involving wine or art. Mayle's books are the epitome of escapist fiction.
For Sally/sister:
She wanted an easy, fun read for the beach so I suggested some classic chick lit. Usually, I shy away from these novels because I am an English teacher and I should only read serious novels. (Please take note of my sarcasm). For example, Emily Griffin's novel Something Borrowed is a romantic comedy in book form. I recommended her for Sally and she chose Love The One You're With. Sally also chose an author named Jen Lancaster who is a blogger that is supposedly hilarious. She chose both of her books titled Pretty in Plaid and Bitter is the New Black. I look forward to borrowing these books when I tire of my sad, cold titles.
If you are looking for some good reads, I hope these help you in your search! Also, I am also looking for something new to read, so pass some of your favorites along the way.
