I don’t know about you, but I LOVE to travel. In fact, we’re heading today down to the Outer Banks for ten wonderful days of sun, sand, family, and reading. I can’t wait!
It’ll be my first vacation since I signed the contract for my debut novel nearly a decade ago, that I’ve taken a vacation off. Normally, I’m up early, writing before my family wakes for the day. Then I’ll write while we’re on the beach here and there. Not this year.
This year, I’m making the intentional choice to not write at all. The only thing I’m taking is a notebook in case any daydreams or ideas hit, and I want to jot them down. Instead of spending time writing, I’m just going to squishy my toes in the sand, swim in the sea, soak up some sun and read.
I’m ecstatic. I finally get to make a dent in my To-Be-Read pile. And, this may surprise you, but I really, really love reading clean YA. They are fun, quirky, adorable and sigh-worthy.
This year I’m bringing Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock and The Upside of Falling by Alex Light. They are both new-to-me authors and I’m excited to check their stories out.
In addition, I always have an audiobook going and a non-fiction read. It was a tough choice as there are so many wonderful audiobooks out there, but I’ve chosen Becky Wade’s Then Came You: A Bradford Sisters Novella.
My non-fiction choice is proving the elusive one. Does anyone have a book that you recommend? I’m wide open to suggestions.
Thanks, friends!
Question for you: How do you like to take your books on vacation? Kindle, paperback or audio? Any books you’re planning for vacation reads?
Blessings,
Dani
Latest posts by Dani Pettrey (see all)
- Reading Challenges - February 12, 2025
- Favorite Book-to-Movie Adaptations - January 22, 2025
- The Beauty of Words - January 8, 2025
Nonfiction suggestion: The In-Between Place by Kat Armstrong.
Have a great vacation, Dani! I love reading at the beach and will get to do just that in August for four days at Myrtle Beach. My suggestion for non fiction is A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Philip Keller. It’s a small book but wow, the comparisons of a Shepherd and his sheep to Jesus and His children is beautiful. Also, if you’ve never read What’s so Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancy, I highly recommend it.
Thanks so much, Deena. We had a long travel day but are here and already relaxing. It’s hard not to at the beach :0)
I will have to read both. I’ve heard about both but never read them.
I normally prefer to read on my Kindle, but just spent my vacation reading some paperback books that I had accumulated. I was then able to leave two of them behind for my sister to read. I listened to two audiobooks as well. I listen to them while driving to and from my sister’s since I can usually get a full audiobook in each way. I took 3 non-fiction books with me to choose from but didn’t wind up opening any of them… non-fiction is a struggle for me. But I do want to read them: Chasing God by Angie Smith, Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst, and The Fitting Room by Kelly Minter. Have a great time!
Thanks so much, friend! I love your reader heart 🙂
Uninvited is SO good. Hope you’ll enjoy it.
You’ll enjoy Then Came You. I imagine it’s great on audio.
Have a wonderful vacation! You’ll be just a bit down the road from my home in Virginia Beach.
Hi Betty,
I’m excited to listen to it! I enjoy all of Becky’s books.
Thank you. We’ve just gotten here and settled in. We passed right by VA Beach on the way down 🙂
I usually pack all 3 for a trip, just in case Once my husband and I were camping for 3 days and I brought 2 books with me and my Kindle. I finished the 2 books and turned my Kindle on, but it was dead! I had nearly an entire day without a book because I didn’t have an audiobook downloaded. So, I learned my lesson!
I am currently reading Dorothy and Jack by Gina Dalfonzo. It’s about the friendship between Dorothy Sayers and C.S. Lewis. So far, it’s interesting.
Happy Vacationing!
Oh wow. That does sound like a fascinating read. I will definitely check that out.
Being without a book is terrible. I’ve been there. Hope you had a great time camping though.
I don’t get to go on vacation but if I do I would take my Kindle and some books. I like real books better than the Kindle, there’s something about turning those pages. Enjoy your vacation!
I’m so excited for you — ten days of vacation without work. Your trip promises to be good for the soul! Have a fabulous time!
The audiobook novella you mentioned of mine is the one that I produced! I chose the narrators myself and still smile every time I remember the voice of the male narrator I hired. 🙂
Thanks, sweet friend. I’m so excited to just relax and enjoy.
That is SO cool! I remember you saying you’d done that with one of your novellas. How fun it’s one.
I do not think I will be able to go to the beach this summer, but I had in mind to read several “beach” books. Courtney Walsh’s series, Nantucket Love Story–If for Any Reason #1 & Is It Any Wonder #2, came to mind, as well as Suzanne Woods Fisher’s series, Three Sisters Island–#1 On a Summer Tide, #2 On a Coastal Breeze, & #3 At Lighthouse Point. Just reading these titles puts me on the beach!
That is a great way to feel you’re at the beach. That’s the beauty of books. You get to travel all over the places. Thanks so very much for the recommendations.
I love Dani’s books. She was recommended by my favorite author, Dee Henderson, and she was correct.
Aww. Thanks so much, Mary. Dee’s my favorite author too.
A recommendation for a non-fiction book is The Red-Haired Archeologist
digs Israel, by Amanda Hope Hadley. I just read a preview and it sounded fascinating!
Oooh. That sounds very intriguing.
Whilst my recommendation is actually a fiction, it is based on a true story : The Children’s Train, by Viola Ardone. (Warning : have some tissues handy…) Following World War II, poor children were being sent from the south of Italy to the north – which may as well have been another world, for all they knew – to live with Communist families for a time. The whole book is told from a young boy’s point of view, & is very moving. While it makes us thankful for our own upbringing, it also stirs us to look around for children in our own vicinity who are needing help. Despite the book having been translated the writing flows well, & although the topic could be considered ‘heavy’ somehow it is not at all a laboured read & could easily be read in one or two sittings.
Oh wow. What a moving and powerful book to read. Thank you for the recommendation!
I found a lovely non-fiction beach read called Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Oh my…she’s a wonderful writer and the book’s quiet pace and contemplative tone lend itself to those moments when I just want to slow down and really study a shell, or consider life as I watch the waves.
Oh. That sounds lovely! Thank you from the recommendation. I’m going to check it out now.
From the library: “1808: the Flight of the Emperor” by Laurentino Gomes, translated by Andrew Nevins
A concise and fascinating account of the Portuguese royal family fleeing into exile and life in Brazil ahead of Napoleon’s invasion.
Wow. Sounds very interesting. Thanks so much for the recommendation! Have a lovely week.
I tend to do Kindle and audio while traveling. Continuing a couple of series I’m on “Lantern Beach, Blackout, New Recruits” by Christy Barritt, “ The Inn at Holiday Bay #10” by Kathi Dailey and “EvervFaithful” by Karen Barnett
My non fiction suggestions would be Another Gospel by Alisa Childers or The Gospel Comes With A House Key by Rosaria Butterfield.
I am an old soul and always love paperback. While I do use audiobooks from time to time, there’s nothing like holding a book and turning the pages.
I just bought one of Dee Henderson’s older books, The Witness.
For a non-fiction recommendation I’m reading Flannery O’Connor’s Habit of Being. I’m about half way through and am stopping at different points to read some of her fiction. It gives tremendous insights into her personality, faith and writing. I highly recommend!
Kindle and Audible Apps are always with me 😉 on my phone!
Hope it was a great vacation.