Before I went on holiday I asked for reading suggestions on Twitter and on my Facebook page. It was great to hear such passion behind some of the recommendations, and I have downloaded enough books to last me for several weeks.
On day three of my week away, I dropped my Kindle in the swimming pool. I had been floating in what I now see was a slightly smug way, with my head resting on the side of the pool and my Kindle held safely out of the water, when my husband slid into the water beside me. There is a reason why leisure centres ban horse-play and heavy petting, and I can confirm that neither of those things are good for Kindles. Despite a bag of Basmati acquired from the hotel reception, the Kindle remains extremely unwell.
For the rest of my holiday I read on an iPad, which was rather less convenient, but at least meant I didn’t have to resort to the motley collection of Jackie Collins books on offer in the bar.
And this is what I read:
Rush of Blood, by Mark Billingham
Until it’s Over, by Nicci French
Apple Tree Yard, by Louise Doughty
Safe House, by Chris Ewan
Are We Nearly There Yet?, by Ben Hatch
Road to Rouen, by Ben Hatch
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova
Life After Life, by Kate Atkinson
No-one Ever Has Sex On a Tuesday, by Tracy Bloom
Starting Over, by Sue Moorcroft
I also read three collections of short stories. I wrote a couple of stories whilst on holiday, and I wanted to read some by skilled authors, to better understand how to structure them.
Dancing Towards the Blade, by Mark Billingham
Short Fuses, by Stephen Leather
The Fantastic Book of Everybody’s Secrets, by Sophie Hannah
It’s an eclectic reading list, and a few times I switched between books because I just wasn’t in the mood for the one I was reading. Ben Hatch’s books made me laugh out loud, and I needed the lightness of Tracy Bloom and Sue Moorcroft to counterbalance some of the more serious stuff.
By far and away the best of the list – although for very different reasons – were Apple Tree Yard, and Life After Life. If you haven’t read them, I’d really recommend it.
Thank you to everyone who suggested books – I have a list of them all and am working my way through them!