What do
beach vacations, long plane rides and
sitting by a roaring fire after a full day of skiing all have in common? No, the answer is not Gin and Tonic (though
you get partial credit for that), the correct answer is they offer the perfect
opportunity to get lost in a good book.
As you plan your next luxury home exchange look through this list of
some of my all-time favorite books and make your next trip even more relaxing
and enjoyable.
Six
Years by
Harlan Coben
Probably
my #1 favorite book. It’s an incredibly
well written thriller that is nearly impossible to put down. When Jake Fisher’s girlfriend unexpectedly
breaks up with him and marries another man, she makes him promise to leave them
alone and to never try and contact them.
Jake does so for six years until circumstances arise that make him need
to locate her. You’ll find many twists
and turns in this plot that will keep you guessing right up until the very last
page.
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Not a
creepy Stephen King novel in the slightest bit but an historical novel about
time travel and the assassination of JFK.
It’s a long read, about 900 pages, but the story never drags. It’s a real page turner as you try and
predict what will happen next. One of
the most well written books I’ve ever read but I wouldn’t expect anything less
from Stephen King.
The
Girl on the Train
by Paula Hawkins
A well
written psychological thriller that takes place in a London suburb. Rachel Watson watches the world go by each
day from her commuter train. She’s
particularly interested in a couple she often sees out on their terrace. When this woman goes missing, Rachel tries to
piece together the details of that night in her mind. The suspense unfolds as Rachel becomes
obsessed with this couples’ life and the woman's disappearance.
The
Language of Flowers
by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
One of
the most interesting novels I’ve ever read.
The story weaves both past and present. It portrays a woman whose gift
for flowers helps her change the lives of others while struggling to overcome her
own obstacles in life. It’s a beautifully written and quite moving story.
The
Light Between Oceans
by M.L. Stedman
The
story takes place on a tiny island in Australia where a lighthouse keeper and
his wife are the only inhabitants. The
couple is unable to have children. One
day they find a rowboat has washed ashore and they are surprised to find a
newborn baby inside. They decide to tell
no one the truth and claim the child as their own. As the child’s history begins to unfold, the
couple is forced to make some tough decisions.
Orphan
Train by
Christina Baker Kline
The
story knits together the past and present of two women, one young and one
elderly. It’s an historic journey of
survival and the yearning for a home and a sense of belonging.
Glass
Castle by Jeannette Walls
I read
this book several years ago but it’s a story that has remained with me over
time. It’s a memoir that deals with the
author’s humble and troubled childhood.
Jeannette Walls has overcome her struggles and is a successful writer
and journalists for MSNBC.com. You’ll have a difficult time putting this
one down as it keeps you wondering about what could possible happen to this
family next and wondering how they will overcome their latest hardship.
The
Middle Place
by Kelly Corrigan
I was
reluctant to read this book as it’s a memoir about her battle with breast
cancer. I was glad a friend finally
talked me into reading it because it has become one of favorite books. Though the author does talk about her medical
struggles the book is really about her relationships with the people in her
life. She writes a lot about the special
relationship she has with her father who was also going through cancer treatment
at the time. Kelly Corrigan is now one
of my favorite writers. She has a real
gift for putting her thoughts and feelings into words. This is not at all a depressing book and in
fact many parts are quite amusing. You’ll
be glad you read it.
What’s
on your list of favorite books? We’d
love to hear about them in the comments section. IVHE has luxury properties in every corner of the
world. To learn more about home exchange, download a FREE home exchange guide. Start planning your next get-away
today and don’t just read about adventures but live them.
Thank
you to Travel Blogger Lisa Medeiros.
Follow her on twitter @lisamedeiros_
