Best books to read in your holiday home this summer
31 May 2024If you’re an avid reader or one of your goals is to get into reading this year then this blog is for you. Discover some of our top book recommendations from a variety of genres, there’s sure to be a book for everyone. You’ll also learn the benefits of reading and about the various options available to access great literature.
If you’re not already a reader, make this your sign to start now! Find your favourite reading spot in your static caravan this summer and pick up a book. It might be outside on your decking enjoying a lovely summer's day, snug on the sofa surrounded by family or tucked up in bed on a night after a long day of park activities. Wherever it may be in your holiday home, nothing beats getting stuck into a good book.
What we cover
- Ways to read
- Benefits of reading
- Our book recommendations
- Fiction
-- Mystery
-- Thriller
-- Romance
-- Fantasy
-- Other - Non-fiction
-- True crime
-- Self-improvement
-- Autobiography
- Fiction
- Your book recommendations
Ways to read
When it comes to reading and where to access books, you may think popping to shop and buying a new one is your only option but it’s really not. Here are just a few of the ways you can pick up a great novel.
Visit your local library
The UK is home to over four thousand public libraries. So the chances are, you’ll be able to borrow a book right on your doorstep or close to your caravan. The best part is that they are completely free to join and provide you with access to thousands of titles. Use the handy government library finder tool to find the closest library to you.
Audio books
Audio books allow you to escape into another realm as an expressive narrator truly brings the tale to life. Compact and easy to transport, these books are perfect for long drives to your holiday home, solo strolls along the beach, and drifting off to sleep when your eyes are simply too tired to read. They are also easily accessible both for free via a library or via paid for services such as Audible or Spotify.
Invest in a Kindle
If you read a lot, treating yourself to a Kindle may save you money in the long run. Perfect for travelling, these lightweight, compact miniature libraries can hold hundreds of books and are ideal for vacations at your caravan. With books costing as little as 99p they are great for the avid readers among us.
Buy your books from charity shops
Then when you’re done with them you can donate them back to charity for someone else to enjoy. A cost-effective and eco-friendly way to read.
Benefits of reading
You may hear over and over again people saying how good reading is for you but that’s because it is! Reading isn’t only a good form of entertainment, or just ‘something to do’, there’s a whole lot of other benefits too that can help your mental wellbeing.
Good for your mental wellbeing
Reading reduces stress which can help improve your mental health and reduce anxiety. This is because your heart rate is reduced, your muscles are eased from tension and your state of mind is altered whilst reading. Even reading as little as six minutes a day can minimise your stress levels!
Improves sleep
Reading relaxes your brain by distracting you from worries and anxiety as it requires concentration. Avoid endless scrolling on your phone before bed and crack open a book instead to allow yourself to fully switch off and relax.
Improves concentration and ability to focus
When reading, your brain is engaged and requires you to focus on the text, which helps teach your brain to concentrate in other areas too. Also, the longer you read for the more you learn to stay focused rather than favouring distraction, increasing your attention span.
Improves memory
When you’re reading, your brain is constantly engaged. Brain activity is high and this helps to improve your memory. It’s like a mini workout for your brain.
Increases creativity and imagination
Do you catch yourself reading a book and imagining the appearance of characters and their surroundings or even putting yourself in their shoes? That’s what the positive effects of a good book can have on your imagination.
Builds a critical mind
Critical thinking is encouraged whilst reading as you’re exposed to different ideas, perspectives and arguments. This helps you analyse and evaluate information, forming your own opinions and making informed decisions.
Our top book recommendations
We asked our team to recommend some of their favourite books. There’s something to suit everyone's taste, whether you love a good romance novel, like to get drawn into mystery or prefer the real-life grit of non-fiction.
Fiction
Mystery
These books are carefully crafted puzzles that leave the reader guessing to the very end.
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
This book is perfect for those of you who love historical mystery books. The Luminaries is set in the New Zealand gold rush in 1866 and follows Walter Moody as he is drawn into a series of unexplained events.
The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
Written as a follow-up to the hugely popular The Housemaid, this is a real page-turner packed full of hidden secrets, fast-paced writing and explosive plot twists. If you haven’t already, we definitely recommend reading The Housemaid before reading this book to understand the depths of the characters.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
This coming-of-age murder mystery book will leave you guessing what's going to happen next. Following the life of a young girl living in the marshes all alone, it quickly became one of the nation's favourite books with people becoming instantly hooked and unable to put it down.
Thriller
Thrillers often contain sub-genres such as crime, horror and mystery, providing heightened suspense and exhilarating excitement.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
This book will have you feeling all sorts of emotions from the minute you start reading it until the very end. We loved reading Verity but it has mixed reviews with some people loving it and others hating it. We don’t want to say too much but it's definitely one to read for yourself and give your own verdict.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
You may have seen the hit film starring Emily Blunt but trust us when we say the book is even better. Rachel catches the train every morning but little does she know, what she sees spying out the window will turn her world upside down. A truly fast-paced page-turner.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
If you enjoyed The Girl on the Train you’re bound to love this. A missing wife, a media circus and a man at the centre of it all protesting his innocence. This book has so many u-turns you’ll lose all sense of direction in the best kind of way.
Romance
Books that pull on all your heartstrings and have you wishing for that happily ever after, even when it doesn’t happen.
The No Show by Beth O’Leary
Not your typical love story and as soon as you start reading you’ll already know that this book can surely only end in heartbreak. Three completely different women, one man and one thing in common - Valentine’s day! Before you put this book down, keep on reading as there might be more than meets the eye.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Filled with the glamour and scandal of an 80s movie icon, this book will leave you questioning the true meaning of both love and intimacy. The book focuses on two strong female characters and as the pages turn reveals all - the good, the bad and the ugly.
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Like most Colleen Hoover's books, Reminders of Him is gripping from the start, with some sadness throughout but lots of hope and love too. Follow the story of a young mother that has recently been released from prison on the journey to reunite with her daughter, which is proving harder than she initially thought.
Fantasy
Pure escapism where anything and everything is possible - even magic.
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Filled with wizards and witchcraft, if we have to explain this hugely famous phenomenon then simply where have you been? This seven-book series truly took the world by storm with films, theme parks and even a hit broadway musical dedicated to it. If you’re not already a Potterhead then now’s the time to start.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis
This fantasy-filled series, consisting of seven books, is a classic enjoyed by children and adults alike of all ages. Magic meets reality and by the end of each book you will be left fascinated as you’re drawn into the fictional world of Narnia. The most famous of all has to be the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe having captured our imaginations on the big screen.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This book definitely hits harder than your average fantasy novel. Starting at a particularly low point in Nora's life, you follow her on a deeply personal journey through a library that allows her to fully explore her deepest regrets.
Other fiction genres
Not quite found what you’re looking for? Don’t worry, here are a few more suggestions.
Children's books
Roald Dahl’s books are timeless classics that can be loved by all the family and are especially great for reading to or with your children or grandchildren. Brought to life through Quentin Blake’s illustrations you can’t help but love Dahl’s sense of humour and general weirdness. Our favourites are Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG and Matilda.
Horror
Stephen King has written some great horror books with IT, Carrie and The Shining being stand-outs from his collection. Although there are many fan theories about the connection between these hugely popular novels, King has not confirmed these to date.
Crime
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman is the perfect option if you love a bit of crime and mystery. Set in a retirement village the books focus on four unlikely friends as they team together to investigate a spree of murders. With the fifth book due for release in 2025 there are plenty of books in this series to keep you going this summer at your caravan.
Non-fiction
True crime
Most commonly focusing on murder, true crime books allow you further insight into some of the biggest criminal cases of all time.
The Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy by Ann Rule
This thrilling true crime story has been followed, read and watched by many. In the 70s journalist, Ann Rule was working on a huge story tracking down a mass-murderer, when she realised it was Ted Bundy, a close friend of hers. You may wonder, how did she not realise? But that’s just how strong the charm of Bundy was.
Bye Mam, I love you by Sonia Oatley
On Saturday, 23rd October 2010 15-year-old Rebecca Aylward went to meet her former boyfriend. By 7:30pm she was declared missing and by 10am the next day she was confirmed dead. Sonia Oatley, Rebecca’s mother, takes you through the investigation, the love of a mother and the insights into the mind of a brutal murderer.
Self-improvement
These informal guides to everyday life give you tips and tricks to improve different areas of your life and solve your own personal problems.
Don’t believe everything you think by Joseph Nguyen
Anxiety is a common mental health disorder experienced by many people. In fact in the UK over 1 in 10 people will be experiencing an anxiety disorder at any one time (Mental Health UK). When suffering with anxiety, your mind is often your own worst enemy and can often be the cause of anxiety. This book goes through the cause of psychological and emotional suffering and how to achieve freedom of mind to create the life you want to live.
Atomic Habits; An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones by James Clear
This one’s for those of you that want to better themselves and achieve goals. Discover practical strategies that teach you how to form good habits and break bad ones, master tiny behaviours that lead to remarkable results and get motivated when a lack of motivation takes over.
Autobiography/Memoirs
An insight into the lives of your favourite celebrities.
New Life Stories by David Attenborough
If you love watching anything involving the nation's favourite, David Attenborough, why not give his latest book a read too? The perfect read for whilst you’re sitting outdoors on your holiday home’s decking taking in the great outdoors. It focuses on all the whys and hows of his explorations of the natural world and what he’s learnt along the way.
Spare by Prince Harry
Read Prince Harry’s side of the story in his memoir entitled ‘Spare’. This book is full of insight into his life after the death of his mother Princess Diana. Labelled by the media as controversial, this tell-all best-selling autobiography has definitely split opinions.
