Is there anything quite as fulfilling as a good book? TV shows come and go, cinemas are overpriced and don’t even get me started on the state of England in this year’s World Cup.
No, if you want entertainment these days then a book is your best bet. From fantasy to thriller, romance to memoir, a decent tome is the only way to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And that’s just on the bus.
A good book is as synonymous with the great British holiday as ice cream and windbreaks. But just how do you navigate the minefield that is modern literature?
As you snuggle up in your Travelodge bed, ready to delve into a new book, how do you know that it’s going to have you gripped from page one, not nodding off after the first chapter? Well have no fear, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve found a great collection of books that make the perfect travel companion whether you’re off to sun yourself on a beach, hurl yourself down a mountain or see some city sights.
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker
If a cross between trippy early 90s television drama Twin Peaks and the fantastically paced ‘Thrillogy’, the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo sounds right up your street, look no further than Joël Dicker’s The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.
Following author Marcus Goldman, who has a severe case of writer’s block, the book twists and turns as the young scribe wrestles with the case of a dead girl and a strange town full of secrets. Big enough to last your whole holiday but enough of a page-turner to put that very fact at risk, this is the perfect summer novel.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
One for those who like the open road, the pursuit of the American dream and the cult classics of modern literature, On the Road will have you snapping your fingers to the pulse of the New Orleans jazz scene and longing for a Chevvy and nothing but tarmac ahead of you.
A Beatnik bible and dreamer’s guidebook, Kerouac takes you on a ride you’re sure to never forget, whether you’re holed up in your Travelodge or riding a Harley on Route 66.
Game of Thrones by George R R Martin
Not sure if you’ve heard but Game of Thrones is kind of a big deal. One of the most popular television shows of the past three years, it was a popular series of books first.
Weaving together numerous storylines across seven kingdoms, George R R Martin’s epic tale depicts the struggle for the Iron Throne and all manners of characters, plots and beasts.
A story that will keep you going all year long, let alone on your holiday, it’s also great to use your new found knowledge to blackmail people who watch the HBO series – just try not to let any spoilers slip out!
