Our Favorite Books to Read on Vacation for 2021
We all needed a little escape this year, whether that was finally getting to take the vacation that we’d been dreaming about, or just hanging in your own backyard and enjoying a few minutes of quiet. These are the books that transported us to the beach (mentally at least!) and absorb a little bit of glamour and fun.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
One of the most anticipated books of the year, Malibu Rising did not disappoint. I loved the mix of the surfer world of Malibu with the Hollywood scene of the 70’s, all described within layers of complicated family dynamics and sibling rivalry. There were just so many good looking people in this group! Plus, the way the narrative starts with the story of a fire at the most infamous party of the year creates a sense of impending doom that really ups the tension. (you can see our full Taylor Jenkins Reid breakdown here.)
The Siren by Katherine St. John
Another story that mixes Hollywood and the beach, but in a very different way, begins when the cast and the crew of the upcoming film The Siren arrives on a remote Caribbean Island to make their movie. Anchored by aging action star Cole Power and his ex-wife Stella who’s looking for a comeback, plus a host of younger players who each have their own reason for signing up for this risky adventure, the film production begins amidst a back drop of a lot of off screen drama. When a storm starts heading towards the island, it ups the stakes for all of the players, but especially for the women that we’re rooting for.
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
This was one of the funniest books I read this year! Meddy runs a wedding planning business with her mother and three aunties. The night before the biggest wedding they have ever booked, her blind date goes horribly wrong, and they end up with a dead body they need to hide and a death they need to fake. Add in a nervous bride, a monster of a groom and a very handsome ex-boyfriend popping up, and things truly go off the rails!
There are some hilarious and surprising twists along the way and I was laughing through most of it. The family relationships were so well developed and the dynamics felt so real. I also love the way that Meddy explains her heritage and how it impacts her choices and creates such a complicated family history and family life. If you want Crazy, Rich Asians with a little bit of a murder, this is the book for you!
Not All Diamonds and Rose by Dave Quinn
We both had so much fun reading this book and I think that any Housewives fan would agree. I loved getting the scoop on the behind the scenes action-like why did the huge fight between Kim and Kyle in the finale of BH Season 1 take place in that limo? And how did Bethenny know so much about what Tom was doing at the Regency? The interview format and city by city breakdown makes this a great one to read by the pool or while traveling-you can pick it up and put it down without losing the narrative thread, although if you’re anything like us, you’ll have a hard time putting it down! (you can see our complete recap of the book here.)