We'll be the first one to tell you that not every book is made to be a beach read, even if it hits bookshelves (and Kindles) post-Memorial Day. For instance, if no one has told you yet: The Fault in Our Stars is not a toes-in-the-sand kind of book. (More on that in a bit.) So whether your summer travels are bringing you to the beach, mountains, cross-country roadtrip or across the Pond, we have a book for all your nomadic journeys, straight from the literary pros and SELF editors alike.
Perfect for a trip abroad: Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner
Literary star Rachel Kushner’s debut is set in pre-Castro Cuba. It’s warm, atmospheric, and lush —perfect for immersing yourself a tropical foreign land. — Julie Haddon, CMO of Scribd, book subscription service
If you’re headed to the beach: The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Franny and Jim Post are celebrating their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary with extended family in beautiful Mallorca—but if they were expecting serenity, they soon realize they have another thing coming. Full of secrets, the family—complete with a college-bound teenager and an unhappily-coupled twentysomething son – comes together only to (almost) come apart. Told with humor and tremendous heart, this is a perfect smart-person’s beach read. — Sara Nelson, editorial director of print and Kindle books at Amazon.com
Your companion for camping: Solo Faces by James Salter
James Salter’s luscious prose heads to the outdoors in this novel, which follows the protagonist to the French Alps. The books stunning portrayal of the Alpine peaks will surely inspire anyone enjoying the great outdoors.– Julie Haddon, CMO of Scribd
For the backyard staycation: The Best American Travel Writing edited by Elizabeth Gilbert
Globe-trot from Kabul for cockfighting to Peru for gold mining while you tear through this collection of exotic travel writing edited by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat Pray Love). — Staff favorite at Oyster, book subscription service
If you’re tagging along on the family vacation: We Were Liars by e. lockhart
Traveling with mom and dad? No matter how old you are, it probably still makes you feel like a kid. Embrace it and pick up this must-read YA novel by the funny and thoughtful e. lockhart. The story follows the wealthy and outwardly-ideal Sinclair family as they summer on a private island and things begin to unravel as lies upon lies are revealed. — Sara Angle, SELF Assistant Editor
Want to check out some titles on your iPad, iPhone, Android or web browser while you’re traveling? Sign up for 3 FREE months of Scribd here with the promo code: SelfMag
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Image Credit: Courtesy of Amazon, Scribd and Oyster
