Reading retreats are taking the internet by storm recently, with trends being reported by the New York Post, Conde Nast Traveler, and beyond. Reading on vacation isn’t exactly a new concept - after all, beach reads exist for a reason - but taking a trip centered around reading is becoming more and more popular. As fellow book lovers, we can’t help but jump on this trend and share a list of destinations perfect for a “book-cation” (has that been copyrighted yet?) as well as suggestions for what you should read while on it.

WHERE TO GO

Amboise, France

This fairytale town in the Loire Valley is equipped with cottage-style buildings, a castle, and picturesque countryside. Amboise is the best of both worlds because it has that slower pace perfect for spending hours each day reading, but there’s also plenty to explore. Start the morning slow, reading with a croissant and cappuccino as the window to your rental lets in cool country air, birdsong, and the early morning sounds of the town waking up (yes, we’re picturing the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast too). Then, grab a long lunch before heading to Château du Clos Lucé - Leonardo da Vinci’s final home - where you can see works from the artist himself, along with other ideas and inventions he thought up while alive. Tour the beautiful grounds before taking a leisurely stroll back to the heart of town. Another great reason Amboise should be at the top of your “book-cation” destinations – the wine! The Loire Valley region is known for its Sancerre, so be sure to grab a bottle…or two.

Brookings, Oregon

Located towards the southern coast of Oregon, Brookings is a stunning coastal town with a much more moody atmosphere compared to what you’d find in California. For cozy vibes with spectacular views of the Pacific, Brookings is the ideal choice. Start the day with a hike or bike ride along one of many trails before heading back to your rental for a relaxing afternoon, hitting the TBR pile. Later, head into the small yet charming downtown for a bite to eat. Not far from Brookings is the Oregon Redwoods Trail, one of the few places you can see these majestic trees in this particular state. While Brookings is a fantastic destination in its own right, it’s also a perfect place to stop if you’re taking a road trip along the Pacific coast.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Another destination with fairytale vibes, Carmel-by-the-Sea is located on the Monterey Peninsula in California, with some of the most beautiful beaches along the coast. Carmel is an ideal destination if you’re looking for a place that is still slower-paced but with good energy. Carmel has plenty to discover, from small boutiques to Michelin-starred restaurants. There are a number of cozy bed and breakfasts to retreat to and several beaches you’ll be taking your books to. If you’re looking to get out for a morning or afternoon, don’t miss the 17-mile drive, a scenic road that’s mostly along the coast, and stop at Pebble Beach. There is plenty to explore by venturing outside of Carmel-by-the-Sea if you want to take the trip off-book. Monterey is less than 30 minutes from town, and there are several coastal points in between, like China Rock Vista Point and Pescadero Point. Monterey also offers whale watching tours - something we highly recommend. And, of course, the Monterey Peninsula is at the top end of Big Sur, so if the roads are open and the weather is kind, take a drive down Route 1 to soak in the wonder that is the California coast.

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Located in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, Český Krumlov is yet another fairytale-like town. In the same vein as Amboise and Carmel-by-the-Sea, Český Krumlov offers the best of both worlds with a slower pace and lots to explore. Start the morning slow with a light breakfast while getting a few chapters in, then take off to see historic landmarks such as Český Krumlov Castle and St. Vitus Church from the 15th century in the Gothic architecture style. Explore all the nooks and crannies of the historic Old Town, enjoy delicious food, and soak in the local culture.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

About an hour away from Savannah, Georgia, Hilton Head Island is the ultimate southeastern coastal retreat. If you’re looking to spend the entire trip near the ocean, reading books and nothing else, Hilton Head is for you. If you’re looking to spend a lot of time reading, but also want to be active, Hilton Head is for you. If you’d like cozy, coastal small town vibes with boutiques, culture, and lots of great dining options while you get in a few chapters here and there, Hilton Head is for you. It’s a stunning place to visit, and if you need to take a day trip somewhere, Savannah is just an hour away for an energetic vibe with lots of history and charm all its own, including great bookstores.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

As the capital of Prince Edward Island (PEI), it’s the responsibility of Charlottetown to bring the charm – and it sure does! The great thing about staying in this city is that you aren’t far from the rest of what PEI has to offer – white sand beaches, restaurants, villages, hiking trails, and more. What’s even better is that you can leave the books at home because Charlottetown has several independent bookshops for you to grab a few vacation reads. Just make sure there’s a little room in the suitcase for the return trip. Enjoy cozy rentals or bed and breakfasts, explore the historic city, enjoy delicious food from places throughout PEI, and get to know the local culture. It’s an idyllic option for a reading retreat at whatever pace feels good.

WHAT TO READ

For a sci-fi psychological thriller that will have you guessing the whole time…
…read Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

This one took us by surprise. Based in Chicago, Dark Matter is about a man who finds himself suddenly in a parallel universe after being kidnapped by a stranger. He’s in his body, but the life he wakes up to is not his own. There are familiar people, but none are as he remembers. The story follows Jason as he tries to figure out what’s going on, making friends and enemies along the way, to ultimately step through doors that lead to different timelines within the same universe. What would you do if you knew each choice you made every single day, no matter how big or small, could make a monumental impact on your future? Something as simple as the road you drive to work in the morning, or if you meet a friend after work for a drink. Would you choose differently? Dark Matter is all about the consequences of choices, appreciating the life we have, and a mind-bending theory that there is an infinite number of timelines all living in the same universe. It’s a book that will have your heart racing and desperate to read just one more page all the way until the end.

For a whimsy and light memoir that takes you into the heart of Paris…
…read Paris Letters: A Travel Memoir about Art, Writing, and Finding Love in Paris by Janice MacLeod

If you love stories set in Paris, this one is for you. Paris Letters is a memoir from Janice MacLeod, but it reads like a regular novel with lots of wit and charm. Janice has given up on her life. Her job is not great, and dating isn’t any better. However, instead of continuing to dwell on it, she decides to do something about it. After putting a plan in action and meeting it with fierce determination, she finds herself in Paris for two years of freedom, yet it only takes a few days for her to meet a Daniel Craig look-alike who happens to be a butcher and charms the pants off of her (not quite literally). Paris Letters is her story of falling in love and starting a new life following her creative passion in a city that inspires her. It’s inspiring, feel-good, and funny, plus, if you haven’t been to Paris in a minute, it’ll transport you right back.

*Pebble Beach on the Monterey Peninsula in California*

For a historical drama with strong characters and a sentimental, feel-good ending…
…read The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

Spanning two time periods, The Book of Lost Names follows Eva, a semi-retired librarian who lives in modern-day Florida, whose earlier life played a huge role in preserving the identity of child survivors of the Holocaust. After meeting Eva, we’re quickly taken back to 1942 Nazi-occupied France. When the Gestapo takes Eva’s Father, she and her Mother flee Paris to the southern French village of Auvignon, located in the Free Zone. Eventually, Eva finds herself part of a secret group that helps move Jewish children to Switzerland to avoid ending up in concentration camps. A part of this process required new identification, so to preserve their original names with the hopes of reuniting them with loved ones, Eva documents the children using a special code in what becomes known as The Book of Lost Names. Over 60 years later, when the book is discovered, Eva reaches out to the team of researchers to lend her expertise and reunite the children with their families. It’s a gripping story during one of the darkest times in modern history, while still filled with hope. The risks these people took to protect children and preserve their identity are nothing short of heroic, and Harmel tells the tale beautifully. It would make a great film or TV series.

For a tongue-in-cheek rom-com with a supernatural twist…
…read The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Florence Day sees ghosts. Really…she sees ghosts. And the irony is that her family owns a funeral parlor, so they naturally come with the territory. Florence ghostwrites (yes, Poston enjoys a good pun) for a famous romance author but is having a hard time with her upcoming deadline after a bad breakup. She’s living in NYC and feels the looming death of her career breathing down her neck when she’s forced to return to her small South Carolina hometown after her Father dies unexpectedly. While in the thick of dealing with her father’s funeral, she comes face to face with a ghost at the funeral parlor doors. Ben insists he’s not dead, but Florence begs to differ, no matter how much he argues the contrary. As they’re stuck spending time together, Florence tries to help Ben move through his “unfinished business” to find peace, and Ben helps Florence as she navigates the grief of losing her father and facing a small town that made it difficult for her while growing up. It’s funny but has a lot of depth with a few heartbreaking scenes. In the end, we learn the identity of this famous romance author, find out if Florence writes the book, and whether or not Ben is, in fact, dead.

*Reading on Hilton Head Island (photo credit*)

For a book set in some of the world’s most beautiful coastal locations with a passionate and fierce female lead…
…read The Maui Effect by Sara Ackerman

What happens when an XXL surfer and an eco-warrior cross paths? Explosive chemistry and a passionate fight to save the rainforest. The Maui Effect takes place in several stunning locations, from Maui’s dynamic landscape of mountains and ocean to Big Sur to the massive, legendary waves of Nazaré in Portugal. With a charming cast of characters and descriptive writing that transports you to the destinations as if you’re a part of the story, Ackerman has given us a thing of beauty in The Maui Effect. You can feel her love for the land in every page through Iwa’s passion to preserve the local ecosystem on Maui, and her deep respect for the ocean through Dane’s devotion to conquering waves. Iwa and Dane have instant chemistry, but it’s not an easy road. Iwa is slow to trust, and Dane has scars of his own. Together they support each other in their most difficult moments, until one nearly breaks them. Whether you’re headed to a beach or the mountains, The Maui Effect is a great option to take with you on your trip.

For a digestible read that guides you to become your best self…
…read Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace & Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty

Sometimes we need a little guidance and inspiration to start fresh. A vacation is the perfect opportunity to rest. To release the stress that’s been dragging you down, and give yourself space to breathe and figure out how you want things to change back home. Not everything can be solved by taking time off, but it can help us recalibrate to get there eventually. Think Like a Monk offers a wealth of food for thought and actionable takeaways to assist in that recalibration process. Jay Shetty has a way with words that makes it easy to understand and process the advice he gives, both from himself and people who have inspired him along the way. Take this one with you to tackle in an afternoon or read between fantasy novels.

Others You Might Enjoy