I got a picture from Julia Quinn recently. She’d been in Italy last summer and while standing at a corner newstand in Rome spotted one of my books. She took this picture for me to show me where I was. Now I know this could be anyone’s arm in any city, but believe me, this is Julia Quinn in Italy.
You see, the picture came a stricture that I crop her face out, as she claimed she had “travel face,” and while I think she looked great—happy and touristy—she asked me to remove her face. So you will have to trust me— these are Julia’s arms. And a wee bit of her ear.
But more than a bit of travel envy, and the desire to pack my bags and travel the world seeking out copies of my books (that makes it a write-off, yes?), Julia’s picture reminded me of one other thing about traveling—the all essential travel companion. Yes, the book.
You see, it was no accident that Julia was at this book stand—she loves to read like the rest of us, and when on vacation, reading is the happy add-on. I know when I start planning a trip, I also think about the books I am going to take. And in my case, the knitting as well.
Books are the happy companions we bring along. They never grumble about delayed flights, in fact they love those. They don’t mind long flights or lines. Tucked in a bag, they don’t require their own ticket, but they are our ticket to love, adventure and new ideas. Just like travel. The perfect “stay-cation”. And while I wish I was spending the summer in Italy, Seattle and perhaps a small side trip to Seaside, Or, will have to do this year. With a good book in hand, I’m good.
How about you—where are you going or have you been this summer and got a good book to recommend?
I know that is Julia! I recognize the shirt!
For the plane ride I like magazines and short reads, like the Harlequin and Silhouette. I can’t concentrate on the plane, too much going on. But I just read the sequel to the The Friday Night Knitting Circle, Knit Two. It good, I didn’t cry like in the first one — but I really enjoyed it. Still want to see what that famous dress would look like, I just can’t imagine it…
This summer i really enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale by Dianne Setterfield. It was really different than any books I’d read in a while, quite a story. I recommend it!!
I am finding more authors to read and more books on the TBR list. I always say that if I could ONLY take one series of books, it would be your bachelor series starting with Something About Emmaline, because to me, that is where the series more or less starts.
As for this summer, I have read Julia Quinn’s book and Lorraine Heath’s books. I love the way she writes. She, like you and Laura Lee Guhrke, make you feel for the characters. I LOVE when the characters feel like real people to me even if they are fiction.
I went to Cape May, NJ for my summer vacation this year. My big vacation with my buds is to Key West, FL – I’m doing that in October and it looks like it will be a wonderful time there. The pics of the area are truly droolable.
I would recommend to those who haven’t read Lorraine Heath to read her books. She has a new series out right now – the St. James series, which have the characters based loosely on Oliver Twist. A definite read, while we wait for your next series to come out. 😀
Very cool!
I recently read Barbara Freethy’s Suddenly One Summer. I really enjoyed it!
I love planning vacation reading! I’m leaving tomorrow for two weeks in the Greek Mountains with my friend’s theater troupe and am still at a bit of a loss as to which books to pack!
I purchased the latest by my favorites Brenda Novak, Eloisa James and Suzanne Brockmann on release day, but then I read them all. Quickly.
Currently, I’m thinking:
A Wicked Little Game by Christine Wells
A Talent for Sin by Lavina Kent
But I need more! So now I’m off to the bookstore:)