Best Books to Pack for Your Next Vacation

There’s something extra magical about reading on vacation. Maybe it’s the quiet morning light on a balcony, the beachy soundtrack of waves in the background, or the simple luxury of uninterrupted time. Whatever the setting, the right book turns a great trip into an unforgettable one.

As a travel advisor, I love helping people plan amazing vacations—and I also love helping them get into the right travel mindset before they even pack their bags. And what better way than with a good book?

To help you find your next favorite vacation read, I teamed up with Erin, owner of one of my favorite local bookshops—Ink and Page Books in Overland Park. Erin has handpicked a few perfect-for-vacation reads across different genres, whether you’re headed to the beach, the mountains, or just your backyard hammock.

Best Books to Read on Vacation from Ink and Page Books

You can find all of these books in the bookstore if you a KC local, or on their website at inkandpagebooks.com.

One Golden Summer, by Carley Fortune

A heartfelt lake escape. 

Photographer Alice returns to Barry’s Bay for a quiet summer with her grandmother—but peace turns to possibility when Charlie Florek, the boy from an old photo, reappears all grown up. As warm days on the water blur past, Alice is drawn to the man who truly sees her… and who might just steal her heart.

Perfect for vacation—romantic, nostalgic, and as soothing as a summer afternoon by the lake.

What Happens in Amsterdam, by Rachel Lynn Solomon

A sizzling, second-chance romance.

After a disastrous breakup and job loss, Dani Dorfman impulsively takes a position in Amsterdam—only to collide (literally) with her high school ex, Wouter. He needs a wife to keep his family home. She needs a visa. What starts as a marriage of convenience soon turns into something much more complicated… and maybe even real.

The perfect vacation read—funny, flirty, and full of European charm and fresh starts.

The Tenant, by Freida McFadden

A nerve-jangling tale of secrets and revenge

When Blake Porter loses everything, renting out a room in his brownstone seems like a smart fix—until his new tenant, Whitney, arrives. She’s friendly, perfect even… too perfect. Soon, strange smells, eerie noises, and cold stares from the neighbors suggest something is very wrong. And someone knows exactly what Blake’s hiding.

Perfect for vacation—tense, addictive, and guaranteed to keep you reading long into the night, but that’s okay because you’re on vacation!

Detective Aunty, by Uzma Jalaluddin

A twisty, character-driven whodunnit kicks off a fresh new cozy mystery series. 

When her daughter is accused of murder, Kausar Khan—recent widow and determined aunty—returns to Toronto to clear her name. But as she digs into the case with the help of old friends and her sharp granddaughter, long-buried secrets come to light in a neighborhood full of surprises.

Perfect for vacation—witty, heartwarming, full of smart twists and a side of sleuthing sass.

Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies, by Catherine Mack

A bestselling mystery now in paperback – full of wit, wanderlust, and murder—perfect for fans of Knives Out and Finlay Donovan.

When mystery author Eleanor Dash sets off on an Italian book tour, she plans to kill off her fictional hero—not dodge a real-life murder attempt on her ex, the charming con man who inspired him. With rival authors, obsessed fans, and a growing body count, Eleanor must solve the mystery before her own plot twist turns deadly.

Perfect for vacation—laugh-out-loud funny, delightfully quirky, and set against a dreamy Italian backdrop.

A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic, by J. Penner

A cozy, feel-good fantasy about pastries, self-belief, and unexpected magic.

In a world of elves and enchantments, magicless human baker Arleta Starstone enters the kingdom’s top baking competition—with a little help from an orc neighbor and a charming woodland elf. As she whisks her way through challenges, friendships, and maybe even love, Arleta discovers that you don’t need magic to create something extraordinary.

Perfect for vacation—whimsical, charming, and as sweet as a warm cinnamon roll.

The Library of Lost Dollhouses, by Elise Hooper

A charming historical mystery that weaves together hidden dollhouses, forgotten women, and the power of storytelling.

When librarian Tildy Barrows discovers two intricate dollhouses tucked away in her San Francisco library, she’s drawn into a century-old mystery. Clues inside the miniatures lead her from Belle Époque Paris to postwar England to 1950s Hollywood—uncovering untold stories, unexpected connections, and a future she never imagined.

Perfect for vacation—rich with history, heart, and the kind of magic only books (and dollhouses) can hold.

The Seventh Veil of Salome, by Silvia Morena- Garcia

A glamorous historical epic. 

In 1950s Hollywood, unknown Mexican actress Vera Larios lands the coveted role of Salome—igniting envy, ambition, and rivalry behind the scenes. As her star rises, she collides with Nancy Hartley, a fading actress desperate for her own spotlight, and with the legendary story of Salome herself, echoing through their lives in passion and tragedy.

Perfect for vacation—sumptuous, dramatic, and as dazzling as a vintage film reel under the sun.

Listen for the Lie, by Amy Tintera

A darkly funny, wildly twisty thriller. 

Years after being found covered in her best friend’s blood with no memory of the night, Lucy has rebuilt her life—until a hit true crime podcast drags her back to her Texas hometown to uncover what really happened. Did she kill Savvy… or is the truth more dangerous than anyone thinks?

Perfect for vacation—sharp, addictive, and full of gasp-worthy twists you’ll want to discuss immediately.

Jilted, by Vi Keeland

A swoony, slow-burn rom-com where 27 Dresses meets The Hating Game.

Wedding writer Charlotte is still reeling from being left at the altar—so getting stuck as a last-minute bridesmaid with cocky (and infuriatingly hot) Wilder Hayes is the last thing she needs. One steamy coat closet mishap later, she thinks she’ll never see him again… until Monday morning, when she finds out he’s her boss’s son and her new work partner.

Perfect for vacation—flirty, funny, and full of irresistible chemistry.

Ready to Pack the Perfect Book for Your Trip?

Whether you’re flying across the ocean or lounging on the beach, the right book is the ultimate travel companion. Erin’s suggestions are the kind of reads that stay with you long after the last page—and pair perfectly with a frozen drink and a sunny view.

If you’re local to the Kansas City area, stop by Ink and Page Books in Overland Park for even more recommendations and that wonderful indie bookstore experience. You’ll walk out with the perfect book—or three—for wherever your next adventure takes you.