Into The Wild, by Jon Krakauer - recommended by Kimberly McCreight“ A page-turning, real-life mystery about a young man's tragic journey to find himself. As vivid as it is broadly thought-provoking, Into The Wild is an intimate story of one person's struggle against nature and with himself, but the questions raised are universal. At times it will make you contemplate hitting the open road yourself, while at others it will leave you praying that the ones you love always stay on the beaten path.”

 

The Shell Seekers, by Rosamunde Pilcher - recommended by Nancy Thayer - “This novel about a strong woman and her complicated family was published years ago, but I re-read it every summer because it's full of seashells and flowers and the sense that all will be well in the end.

 

The Enchanted April, by Elizabeth Von Arnim - recommended by Ruth Ware - “Simply the most perfect holiday read imaginable, The Enchanted April begins with an advertisement in The Times addressed to "Those Who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine."  Four very different English women answer the call, to spend the month of April in a miniature Italian castle. The stay begins with squabbles over the best rooms and muted resentment about precedence. But they soon find the sunshine and surroundings begin to work in strange ways — thawing hearts and binding affections. If ever there was a book to convince you that a good holiday is the best medicine for the soul, it is this one.