Spring Break this year does not look the same, and we are both pining for tropical vacations, ski mountains and long afternoons exploring cities we don’t live in. Luckily, reading has always been an escape so we have made a list of some favorite books that take us into another life, or place or time. If you are lucky enough to be going on a spring break trip this year, these books are also ideal for reading on the beach, by the pool, in a cabin, or sitting on a bench in your city (I - Dinah - have been taking advantage of spring in Boston to sit outside in one of our lovely parks reading!).

Fitness Junkie by Jo Piazza and Lucy Sykes

One of my dream vacations is to go to a super intense wellness retreat - like The Ranch or a week long meditation course - where you just fully buy into some insane and regulated program and emerge 10 pounds lighter and enlightened. Since that isn’t at all realistic with my current life, I highly recommend this hilarious book where the main character, Janey, tries out every wild NYC wellness trend from clay diets and green juice, to the latest cult workout class, to try to improve her health and “public image” - learning some important lessons along the way! - D

Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann:

This is such a classic beach read-I can still remember finding it in the abandoned beach book pile that last time we went to Mexico for spring break, and grabbing it up to read one afternoon. I think we all love to marvel at the upward rise and then self-destruction of Neely and Anne and Jennifer and imagine living in Hollywood in the 60’s. It’s such a fun guilty pleasure. -E

My Friend Anna by Rachel DeLoache Williams

While most of this book is set in New York, the tangled web of scammer Anna Delvey (who just got out of jail IRL, and has MULTIPLE movies being made about her), truly comes undone on what is supposed to be a dream trip to Morocco. The magic of that trip and watching it slowly fall apart is enough to make me feel very happy that I am not traveling and haven’t loaned anyone I know large amounts of money. - D

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver:

The newest release by the author of One Day In December, this is the story of Lydia and Freddie, whose engagement is ended too early when Freddie is killed in an accident. But what if it doesn’t have to be over? Lydia can move forward with this new path or is there a chance that she could live a parallel life where Freddie is still with her. How will she make that choice? I’m reading this one our trip next week, but I’m a little worried that it’s going to me cry all over the place! -E

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

One of our favorites, it’s the story of a woman who takes her teen daughter to a boy band concert, meets a member of the band backstage and begins a steamy international love affair with him. It’s wish fulfillment for anyone who’s ever imagined being Olivia Wilde with Harry Styles and the glamorous jet-setting lifestyle is perfect vacation escapism. -E

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey:

If you’re vacationing in the South or just wishing that you were heading to a small town on the beach in South Carolina, anything by Harvey is a good bet. This is the first in a series about a multi-generational family of very attractive women in the South with a dash of old money and Hollywood drama thrown in for good measure. They fight, they love, they come back together, all in perfectly decorated homes. -E

The Unbreakables by Lisa Barr:

When Sophia finds out the her husband has been unfaithful, her whole life falls apart and at the same time, her daughter, who’s studying abroad in France, calls her and begs for help with a problem. Soon, Sophie’s in France, and through enjoying all of the scenery, hot men, and art that the country has to offer, she is able to rediscover the self that she lost in caring for others. Silly but such satisfying divorce revenge and redemption. -E

Anna K by Jenny Lee:

If you’re missing New York, this YA remake of Anna Karenina featuring a Gossip Girl type cast, will give you all the city feels and glam. They may be in penthouse apartments or shopping at Bergdorf’s, but the problems they face are universal and Anna is very easy to root for in the crazy world that they’re navigating.-E

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

I may be partial to this because it’s set in Watch Hill, where our family spends summers, but I love this look at the village and a tortured love triangle unfolding over the summer, all leading up to the Hurricane of 1938. Lily joins her family there for another summer, but her plans are turned upside down when her former best friend arrives with her husband - who was one engaged to Lily.  As the trio tries to navigate friendships against the background of the traditions and events and gossip of the small community, the truth of their past comes out. - D

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

When Olive’s twin sister gets food poisoning during her wedding, Olive and the best man have to go on the honeymoon to Hawaii and pretend to be a couple in love, when they actually can’t stand each other! It’s a hilarious, witty, light romance that makes me really want to go to Hawaii. - D