When it comes to travel, nothing beats an e-reader. I have a whole system about putting books on hold on Libby, and then strategically suspending and unsuspending them to fill my Kobo just before I leave on vacation to maximize the three-week borrowing term. It works great! Unless the Kobo freezes up and has an issue, in which case it is not great, Bob.
And that did happen for me a couple of times on this trip, which makes me think that I should take a physical book with me as insurance. But physical books take up space! I pack carryon only! There are weight restrictions on certain airlines! And I have always eventually managed to get the Kobo working again, which gives me both a whew feeling and also a am I running out of time feeling. The tl;dr of this is that maybe I need a new, non-wonky e-reader. But this one still works, I’ll think, and then I’ll feel panicked all over again because what if it doesn’t?
Anyway. I managed to read ten books in the past three weeks, thanks to lots of plane, boat, and bus time. I was disappointed because Pick A Colour, a book I have been looking forward to, came up on my Libby holds but then disappeared off of my Kobo, and no amount of searching could find it. Hopefully it will come up on my physical library holds soon. Also, I had a DNF, and that DNF is a popular book that I am almost scared to tell you about: The Academy. I was reading it in Cambodia, where the high school attendance rate is something like 21%, because school fees are too high for the mainly impoverished population, and teenagers are needed to help bring in income for their families. Given that, I had a very hard time getting into a story about extremely privileged teens at an elite boarding school. I got to a part where they describe the particular clothing people had to wear for dances, based on their grade – sorry, their “form” – and I just closed the book, never to reopen it. Wrong place, wrong time.
But what did I read? Some rereads, some new reads, some great reads, some mediocre reads, some reads that I’ve already kind of forgotten about. Here we go!
Vacation Reading Winter 2026
Totally and Completely Fine. This was a cute and sweet story about a pretty heavy topic: grief, and learning to live and love after loss. It’s a crossover book with the author’s hit Funny You Should Ask; I think reading the two together would be a fun experience. Unfortunately I read Funny You Should Ask years ago and I cannot remember much about it at all.
The Age of Innocence. I read this book years ago and liked it – but after watching The Gilded Age, I liked it even more on the reread! Talk of a new opera house! Forbidden love! Affairs! Deeply ingrained rules of society! Very fun. I decided to reread it because it was my friend Engie’s Cool Blogger Book Club pick (HI ENGIE) and I felt I could use a refresher. Not that I’ve participated in any of the discussions yet! Can I still use jetlag as an excuse? No, I cannot.
Heartburn. A great reread for a long boat ride! Nora Ephron’s novel based on her own divorce when she discovered – at seven months pregnant – that her husband was having an affair. IMAGINE. There is a pie-in-the-face scene which is satisfying, but also feels like a steel-pipe-in-face scene would be even better. Who cheats on their wife when she is pregnant? Or anytime? NOT COOL, CARL BERNSTEIN.
Revenge of the Tipping Point. Years ago I read The Tipping Point, and this is Gladwell’s interesting and refreshed look at superspreader events, white flight, the opioid crisis, and how people really can choose to make change – we are not at the helpless mercy of societal waves. Interestingly enough, while I was reading this, I chatted with one of our tour mates who was a social worker in England who dealt with addiction issues. He told me that there is not, and never has been, an opioid problem in England or, indeed, anywhere in Europe.
Chop Suey Nation. I first read this when it came out in 2019 and it was a good reread for a long bus day. The author, a Globe and Mail journalist, travels across Canada by car to visit small town “Chinese Western restaurants” to learn about the owners and their lives. Her own parents also owned a restaurant in the 70s. It’s a fascinating look into the Chinese immigrant experience in Canada.
Frying Plantain. I first read this in 2020; a friend loaned it to me when it was lockdown and all the libraries were closed. She feared for my sanity and I appreciate that! It was a good reread – great, actually! It’s a collection of connected stories about a Canadian born girl of Jamaican descent and her life in Little Jamaica, Toronto. It’s a moving and beautiful commentary on mothers and daughters, on seeking a better life, and on the juxtaposition between life in the community and in society as a whole.
Half of a Yellow Sun. I really like this author and this book delves into the Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967-70, from the points of view of two wealthy twin Igbo sisters and their partners, one a revolutionary and one a British ex-pat, as well as the revolutionary’s houseboy. I learned a lot about something that I knew literally nothing about. It’s an unsparing, often brutal look at the human cost of war. Incredibly difficult to read about the plight of the children especially, but it’s important, I think, to know about such atrocities.
Somehow. I really like this author and this is a lyrical little book about love and connection, with a heavy emphasis on Lamott’s true Christian faith, of the What Would Jesus Do variety. It made me think hard about the ways we show up for other people, in sometimes misguided but well-meaning ways. I read this in the flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver so it is a bit scattered in my brain. I don’t think the book is scattered, I think it’s me.
A Summer Affair. As the title suggests, this book is about a summer affair between a mom of four and the man who is on the board for a charity gala that she is co-chairing. It’s an interesting choice as the man is described as being much less attractive than her husband, with whom she has an active sex life, but who also doesn’t pay attention to her. It felt oddly realistic, and I really enjoyed it – I love a juicy affair story! Also the DRAMA surrounding a charity gala was fun to read, and strangely relatable – I have been amazed at the drama that surrounds events on a much smaller scale. I shall never forget the drama surrounding Fun Lunch, during my days chairing the School Council/ Parent Association. My friend Nicole (HI NICOLE) also reminded me of the brouhaha surrounding the idea of Fresh Fruit Fridays. In any case, this was a fun read, although the ending was not super satisfying for me. There is a lot of character crossover in these books, which would work better for me if I had read more of them! Maybe I need to read them in order of publication.
The Guest List. This multi-POV thriller about a wild wedding weekend had a lot of twists and turns, and ended in an unexpected way. I don’t know what else to say about thrillers! It feels too easy to let a spoiler slip! So I will say nothing.
Speaking of books, there’s still time to enter the giveaway for a signed copy of Inhale Exhale! Monday’s post will address all the questions from my Ask Me Anything with regards to my writing and publishing journey for that book, from Michelle, Maya, Stephany, and Anna (HI MICHELLE MAYA STEPHANY ANNA). I also have a couple of great books that I read this past week to tell you about. Until Monday! xo
You’re just in time for the last couple discussions of Age of Innocence! We’re finishing the book this week. Like you, I read it a long time ago and am rereading it now. A lot of people aren’t loving this book, but I really like it. Interestingly, I think I enjoyed it more the first time through. This time I’m liking it a lot but also noticing there are some super boring parts.
I read The Guest List! It was good. While I LOVE mysteries, I don’t love thrillers. So I liked this one but didn’t love it. And, I’ve seen the movie of Heartburn. I don’t know- the pie in the face is pretty great!
I have never seen the movie – but when Birchie was here in the summer she suddenly said “Oh I love that movie!” I had no idea what she was talking about. She was referring to a Carly Simon song which had come on my playlist, and which features in the movie. I probably won’t watch it but I hope that pie SMASHED HIS FACE.
Holy Moly! That’s a lot of books even with all the traveling you did! Thanks for the recommendations in which I put a couple on my list!
I hope you enjoy them, Judy!
I still read physical books only. I spend enough time looking at screens and enjoy the feel of a book in my hands. But if I ever read 10 books on vacation, I might see the advantage.
I much prefer physical books and I find I focus better while reading them. I think it’s because it’s easier to flip pages if I need to search for something, but I find it harder to do that on an e-reader.
I did not know that England/Europe did not have an opioid problem! That is so fascinating. There is a special place in hell for the Sackler family. I read a book about the origin of the oipioid crisis in the US and we watched a documentary on Hulu about the issue as well. It is really really heartbreaking. And of course, the Sacklers had THE best attorneys so basically got away with all the horrible things they did (like pushing the FDA to say that opioids are not habit forming which is complete and total BULLSHIT!!).
Ok, I’m getting too angry for a work post comment section! PIVOT. I also have issues with my Kindle freezing at times. I have always been able to get it to restart. I should buy a new one as mine is probably 5+ years old, maybe 7+ years old? But then it works again and I make that a problem for future Lisa to solve. I do have the kindle ap on my phone so in a pinch, I could use my phone to read a book but that is not ideal!
Reading about privileged boarding school brats while being surrounded by poverty would be tough… so I totally get why you DNF’d that book! I am glad Age of Innocence worked for you. I struggle w/ classics so ended up DNF’ing it because I was dreading reading the assigned chapters… I have enough things in my life that fill me with dread, reading shouldn’t!
Lisa, it was really fascinating to learn that the opioid crisis is really a North American thing – and what I learned, interestingly, is that the States that have high rates of opioid abuse are also the states that did not require prescriptions to be filled out in triplicate and reported to governing bodies. WHO COULD SEE THAT COMING. Also it was interesting to learn that opioids were used to treat pain as a disease in itself, rather than find the root cause of the pain. Which…I do understand, pain is a real thing that needs to be managed. But also? Advertising a drug as non-habit-forming when it is clearly addictive is criminal. Anyway, opioids are very very very controlled in Europe and so abuse of them is not a problem. They have other drugs, so it’s not like a utopia, but no opioids.
My daughter and I hauled 12 books across Europe in our backpacks (6 each) and passed them on to each other. It was great for the trains and plain rides, not so sure about our shoulders LOL. We did, however, slowly unload them by leaving them at our hostels after we had both read them. I now have a Kobo, just recently bought a second one after 12 years, as like you, there were some issues – a book didn’t load and a couple of times the Kobo wouldn’t turn on. How did I make it through without a book!!!
I have read several of your book choices, Chop Suey Nation, The House Guest, Half of a Yellow Sun – my favourite of the author’s and I agree it is brutal but so well written. I just finished The Age of Innocence, my first time reading it, and I loved it. I am currently reading The Audition and am so intrigued by this very original book. I placed a hold on Frying Plantains.
Oh, leaving them at hostels! What a smart idea! Good karma and also an unloading of the burden (and maybe making room for souvenirs!)
I can’t make it through without a book either. I cannot just sit on a plane or bus for hours without reading something!
I think you’ll really like Frying Plantain. Report back if you remember!
Having your Kobo freeze up would be frustrating! Ugh! Since you’re planning to travel more, I think a new one wouldn’t be a bad idea. I hate to think of you being without a book!! I finally decided to get a Kindle Paperwhite. I know…Amazon….but I’m in their ecosystem. I had been using the Kindle app on my iPad, but the screen glare really bothered me. The e-ink is so nice! It’s great that your vacation included lots of reading and re-reading. I wonder what happened to Pick a Colour? How odd. I’m looking forward to your Monday post!
Michelle, I can’t get a Kindle since they don’t work with the Canadian library system! Why? I have no idea, but they don’t! I will say I do like the “matte” finish that my Kobo has, and it sounds like your Kindle has a similar screen.
That’s crazy to me that you read that many books on a trip! I will take a small paperback on a plane and read a few chapters, but that’s about it. I like looking around too much when traveling and I can’t read in a car. Besides that, my husband blares music and often needs navigation help, even with gps (insert eye roll, because yeah, I know . . .)
I’m glad you enjoyed one of the Hilderbrand books. You know I stan for her! I will say that The Academy was not as good as any of her other books, but I also realize it’s meant for a younger generation of readers and I don’t know how much of it was her or her daughter in the whole plot and writing aspect of it.
I have enjoyed other Hildebrand books – A Summer Affair was very fun – but this one just didn’t do it for me. I heard a podcast interview with her and she talked about the school her daughter went to, her daughter had some small altercation and they didn’t allow her to go to any of the graduation ceremonies! I don’t know if the book was written with a bit of revenge in mind, and if it was, I don’t blame her a bit. However! I can’t really say because I abandoned it at 17% (which is quite a bit as it’s so long!)
I have the same problem with my Kobo but it always come back. There’s something wonky with the power button and you have to find just the right angle when you push it to get it to reboot. I wish it worked better but I just refuse to go back to a Kindle, so here I am. Also, I loved The Guest List.
Fun fact: Kindles don’t work with the Canadian library system! I suppose I could get an iPad with the Libby app. But I just want my Kobo to work! Is that too much to ask? Why is the power button so weird???
I really like the revenge of tipping points. it’s like zooming out what has been writing 20 years ago from someone who’s super intelligent, mature, and wise. I hope he keeps writing.
I really like his writing too, Coco! It’s very smart and thoughtful.
I’ve read several of the books you just mentioned, probably at your recommendation! I did read The Academy, and enjoyed it, but I work with junior high kids and have teen girls so it was kind of relatable in that sense. But I can see where the setting you were reading it in could have thrown you. How sad only 21% get to high school! Looking forward to Monday’s post!
PS. Do you have to KOBO app on your phone? I sometimes use that to read if I’m out and about. Maybe it could be used as a backup if the reader freezes?
I feel like if I had read it at a different time, I might have enjoyed it more than I did! It just felt like a slog to me. This didn’t keep me from enjoying A Summer Affair though! Life is a tapestry.
I have read several of those books and also now have a few more to add to my list. I love reading on my Kobo and have the same system of loading up books, pausing the holds so when I’m traveling or away in Mexico I always have several books queued up. My kobo is only 1 1/2 yeas old and freezes more than my old one did. It’s so annoying but holding the power button down, pushing it repeatedly always gets it going eventually. Just saying this as if you replace it, the new one might not be much better (and yours isn’t very old is it?).
Oh damn, I thought a new Kobo would solve all my problems! WTF Kobo!!! Mine isn’t very old but…I don’t actually know how old it is. Maybe four years?
You didn’t bring even ONE paper book? That is an impressive level of faith in your Kobo. I loved Frying Plantain and the Anne Lamott, didn’t love The Guest List (what are you even doing with a mystery, who are you?)
I know, it felt extremely risky! Living dangerously!
I keep trying mysteries and thrillers, but you know what, I am a poor reader for those. I NEVER get the clues! Or maybe I’m a great reader for them as I’m always surprised “huh, it was HER all along?”
Nicole, I just had an epiphany! If you would have asked me had I read Half of a Yellow Sun, I would have told you yes, but that I don’t remember much of it. However, after your description, I realize that I must have been thinking of one of the author’s other books (I have read Americanah and Dear Ijeawele)! So I just went and put Yellow Sun on hold. Thanks for the accidental prod.
I also rely a lot on my Kindle, but I just get new ones from Libby if I run out mid-stream; thank goodness for it though! I used to carry around paper books and if I was in a country where it was hard to find books in English, I would basically read ANYTHING. That is why I read Lonesome Dove; I was in Argentina and it was the only book in English. Luckily I really enjoyed that one, but there have been some that were not as good.
Hahaha that happens to me ALL the time, I will think “oh yeah I read that” and then realize it was another book by the same author. Similarly I often FORGET I read a book, until I start reading.
Lololol on the “read anything as long as it’s English.” My younger son is reading Lonesome Dove and wow, is that a long book. He likes it but I can’t imagine picking it up. UNLESS I WAS IN ARGENTINA WITHOUT A BOOK.
I always say I’m not going to bring a book and then I panic and pay too much for one at the airport. The only time I ever read on a reader is on an airplane, though, I don’t really enjoy it. I’d rather listen or read a physical book. You got in a lot of reading!
I just put Frying Plantain on my TBR list, it looks interesting!
I LOVED Half of a Yellow Sun, though yeah, difficult topic.
J, that was me in Italy – that was the first time my Kobo started seizing up (at the airport no less) and I panicked at the thought of being bookless for the long flight. I bought one at an English speaking kiosk at the airport, and have I read it? NO. It was a pure panic buy, and then my Kobo started working again.
I read less on holidays because I can’t read much when travelling due to travel sickness. I’m enjoying The Age of Innocence but I’m just reading the required chapters each week. Your book arrived in the mail earlier this week so I’ll probably start it once I finish my current read. I’ve added the Gladwell book to my TBR
My husband is the same, unless he’s driving he has a tendency to motion sickness.
Ooooh I hope you like Inhale Exhale!!!
Buying a new e-reader is 100 percent worth it. You spend HOURS with that thing. That’s not a gadget, that’s life support!!
Ten books in three weeks is impressive! Planes, boats, buses…amazing. Funny enough, I find it quite hard to read on a plane when I have the lure of the screen with all the latest films in front of me. How do you get past that trap?
Also, you’ve motivated me: I started reading “The Tipping Point” last year but gave up midway. Now I feel like I need to dust it off and try again!
THANK YOU CATRINA! It IS life support!!
Oh that’s funny you should mention the films! I did watch a film on the way over – and it was so good. I think I’ll recommend it as a Favourite Thing. It was The Best You Can and it starred Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick.
There are two Tipping Points, one is from 20 years ago and then the “Revenge” is recent. Both are good!
All the books!!! Our girl Nora in the house!!! I saw Jenny’s comment, and while it’s true that the book is better, the movie is no slouch and worth watching as a companion piece. I know you probably won’t watch it, since you have, you know, books to read and books to write, but it was delicious.
I love all of the “I saw that on Gilded Age” tidbits that I picked up in Age of Innocence, but I’m on Team Miss. There is just something missing in the book for me.
I’m about halfway through Inhale Exhale! My estimate is that I’m a few nights away from the point where I will binge the rest in one fell swoop. But right now I’m being disciplined and am taking my time to enjoy the ride.
Oh Birchie!!! I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
The very first part of The Age of Innocence, when they are at the opera, was SO Gilded Age for me!!
Regarding Inhale Exhale…this was me exactly. I was disciplined at first, and then said ‘WHY?’ And binged the rest. I fully support this option.
So many good books, Nicole! I really want a detailed description about how you choose your Kobo reads though, mainly because it seems like several of these are rereads. I LOVE a reread, don’t get me wrong! I am ALL FOR rereading. I am just wondering, did you have a hankering to reread the Ephron, say? Or was it simply available at the right time from your library? I always panic and load my Kindle with about fifty more books that I could possibly read, especially given that I do less reading while traveling than I do otherwise. (I fall asleep immediately on planes and cannot read in other forms of transport.) And most of those books are books that sound like I might like them, rather than books I actually want to read. If that distinction makes sense.
I am rereading Inhale Exhale right now and I LOVE IT SO MUCH OMG!!!!! I feel like the story is tattooed on my brain, and yet there are so many thing that feel fresh and new, and I giggle SO MUCH when I’m reading it. Also, this morning I leaned against the door and closed my eyes and took a long deep breath and felt very much like Michelle, lol.
Of your list today, I think I’ve only read The Guest List. I am pretty sure it was my first Lucy Foley, and I felt both propelled through the book and kind of annoyed throughout.
I had *no idea* that the opioid crisis was unique to North America. Seriously, I thought it was a global problem. Knowing that it isn’t makes me sad and furious (although obviously I am glad that fewer people than I anticipated are affected by it).
I’m so glad you asked about the Kobo! I do have kind of a weird and detailed way of doing it. If I hear a recommendation, I will often put it on hold on Libby, especially if there is a long hold period. I think about trips I have coming up and then months in advance I will put these books on hold. If they happen to become available before the trip, I suspend the hold. This works GREAT unless I unsuspend the hold and then it doesn’t become available right away. Sometimes my Kobo won’t connect to wifi when I’m not at home, so if a hold becomes available AFTER I’ve left, I might not be able to retrieve it. So basically the week before I leave I am glued to the Libby app to see if the holds are coming in. And often the holds DON’T come in, and so I panic and start adding books that are available immediately, which are often older books that I have read before. So I guess it’s a little of both? Because I had been thinking I wanted to reread Frying Plantain, for example. I am the same in which I load WAY more books than I need because OMG WHAT IF I RUN OUT, which means I often find myself reading before or after a trip (as you can see by the photos where the Kobo is at home). Did that make sense? It makes sense in my brain but not necessarily when I spell it out. However, I feel like YOU will understand!
Wow I’m impressed with your vacation reading. I always read a lot less when I travel, because I’m usually reading up about the places I’m visiting, scouting out stuff, or too tired by the end of the day to read more than a couple of paragraphs. I do the most reading on flights. I still do not own an e-reader, and I usually take only one physical book with me – one that I can leave behind because I too only travel carry on. I hope it was me who influenced you to pick up PICK A COLOUR. Interesting fact about the lack of opioid usage in Europe.
Pearl, it might have been you – I’d had Pick a Colour on hold for a long time and so I was pretty bummed when it didn’t show up. Oh well, I’m back in the queue!
Living on the edge! I would say it’s time to replace your Kobo. You don’t want to be on a trip and suddenly it stops working. You’ve put it to good use so treat yoself!
The only book I’ve read from your list is The Guest List, which I didn’t love. I tried The Age of Innocence, but it just wasn’t working for me so I DNF-ed.
Thanks Stephany – my birthday is coming up so maybe that would be a nice treat!
Ok, I started Age Of Innocence while packing. I had no idea what the book was about, but after a few chapters I was thinking: This is oddly similar to The Gilded Age. HA. What’s the old saying? You can’t fool me?! *DUH* Sadly, I couldn’t keep up with the book and was totally distracted by everything.
I really want to read the Nora Ephron book as I just saw something about that story recently. I don’t know how one would cope with a cheating ass husband while pregnant. You’re so vulnerable, already. What a POS!
You’d better replace your reader before the next big trip—I feel anxious FOR you.
Thanks so much Suz, I think I will because eep! I don’t want to be caught bookless!