One of the greatest parts of summer is sitting on the beach with a good book in hand.
For our beach trips, we're excited to read The Vacationers, Emma Straub's New York Times bestselling novel and the official MashableReads book club selection. Straub's new novel about the inevitable that happens during family vacations is is the ultimate summer read and a necessary addition to your getaway.
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To get Mashable readers ready for our August 5 discussion with Emma Straub, we asked you to submit your ultimate vacation reads. Five entrants were selected to receive free copies of The Vacationers.
Here are some of the books that showed up the most on our readers' lists. If you need one more book to read this season, why not make it one these?
1. If you loved the family drama in The Vacationers, try Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.
@mashable @emmastraub 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette?' by Maria Semple - laughed out loud at that one #MashReads
— Erin Maddrey (@ErinMaddrey) June 28, 2014
2. Vacations aren't always about lounging and beaches. If you want inspiration to really rough it, try Wild by Cheryl Strayed.
.@mashable I just finished Wild by @CherylStrayed on vacation. I saw San Franciscans reading it on the bus & was inspired #MashReads
— Elissa Flandro (@eflandro) June 27, 2014
3. If you loved The Fault In Our Stars, try Paper Towns by John Green.
Right now I'm reading #PaperTowns and loving it. #MashReads
— Jenna Mock (@Jen_Mock) June 28, 2014
4. If you want to take an adventure back in time, try People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.
I read "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks on a beach in Jamaica a few years ago. No other vacation read has measured up. #mashreads
— Julie J. Adams (@Julie_J_Adams) June 28, 2014
5. If you're celebrating the summer in the Hamptons, give The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald another read.
@mashable The Great Gatsby is my to-go beach book. East egg, unrequited love, jealousy, and exquisite parties. #MashReads
— Linn Larsson (@linn_larsson) June 28, 2014
6. If you're craving a page-turner, try Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
#Mashreads my favorite summer book "Gone Girl" it was a really good read. Can't wait for the movie!
— Charles Castle (@crcastle) June 27, 2014
7. If you're looking for a laugh, try Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris.
@mashable My favorite summer read is Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris #MashReads
— Amber Hanson (@amberMhanson) June 28, 2014
8. If you are longing for a summer filled with fairs and carnivals, try Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.
@mashable vacation read "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen #MashReads
— Jason Lee (@ja2dalee) June 28, 2014
9. For an otherworldly vacation, try The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
@mashable #MashReads My fave vacation read would be #TheAlchemist or any other book by @paulocoelho
— Sreeparnaa Chaudhury (@blowfish_07) June 28, 2014
10. For an unconventional vacation read (that has since gone out of print), try Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim.
My favorite vacation read (before E. Straub's!) is Enchanted April. #MashReads
— Teresa Baker (@tbake7) June 30, 2014
What's you favorite vacation read? Tell us in the comments below.
How to Join the MashableReads Social Book Club
If you'd like to join the MashableReads book club and read The Vacationers with us, find us on Goodreads and Facebook. We'll also be hosting a Google+ hangout with Straub on Tuesday, August 5 at 4 p.m. ET. You can sign up to be reminded of the hangout here.
Are you in New York City? Join our Meetup group for the chance to meet MashableReads authors in person. Interested in starting your own Meetup in your community? Message us on Facebook. MashableReads book clubs get exclusive access to new authors.
Throughout the month, we'll be posting discussion questions, giveaways and more. Stay tuned for more about The Vacationers. Happy reading!
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BONUS: Authors in Conversation with MashableReads