According to Kira Apple, owner of The Wise Owl Bookstore, West Reading, “Travel reading is an art form. You can’t pick something too unknown, and you don’t necessarily want something you’ve read a dozen times. What you do want is a happy medium.” She, as well as Corinne Brumbach, librarian at Wyomissing Public Library, and Ramona DeWalt, owner of Gently Used Books in Reading, recommend the following as their top travel reads for every member of the family:
Bossypants BY TINA FEY
Tiny Fey’s comedic genius extends from the small screen to the autobiographical pages of Bossypants. Fey displays her wit and sassiness as she shares crazy stories of her life and career in stand-up comedy. Bossypants is a great option for adding humor during your travels, though it may be difficult to explain why you’re laughing out loud on a plane of stoic travelers.
Relic BY DOUGLAS PRESTON & LINCOLN CHILD
Days before an enormous exhibition at the New York Museum of Natural History, visitors are being murdered and their autopsies indicate the killer is not human. The museum directors proceed with the event in spite of the murders. A real page-turner!
The Paris Wife BY PAULA MCLAIN
McLain imagines what the first marriage of Ernest Hemingway might have been like from letters and records from Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley Richardson. It captures perfectly the gilded, misty Jazz Age in Paris and tells of the love that exists between the two – and of the deception that eventually tears them apart.
The Outlander Series BY DIANA GABALDON
Claire Randall finds herself hurled back in time more than 200 years to 1743 Scotland, in an unfamiliar world torn apart by violence and revolution and haunted by her growing feelings for a young soldier. Historical fiction involving time travel and a romantic flair, this 7-part sequential series appeals to both women and men.
The Irish Trilogy BY NORA ROBERTS
This 3-part series offers pure, unadulterated escapism. Classy romantic idealism, a gorgeous Irish setting, charming characters, and no scantily clad lady and well-oiled man on the front cover, so you can indulge discreetly!
Bringing Down the House: The inside story of six M.I.T. students who took Vegas for millions BY BEN MEZRICH
Discover the true tale of six card-counting students from M.I.T. who beat the casino and scored more than $3 million. What begins as an experiment turns into a high-powered drama that involves the underworld of Vegas, private investigators and violence. This New York Times bestseller is a perfect companion to pass the time on the plane, especially while en route to Vegas.
The Lost Symbol BY DAN BROWN
Following Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code, this is the third book to feature symbol expert Robert Landon. Within the hidden chambers, tunnels and temples of Washington, DC, Langdon finds himself in a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets and unseen truths.
The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature BY STEVEN PINKER
Steven Pinker, often called the “Rock Star of Neuroscience,” shares his theories and research into the way the mind works and how language shapes our experiences. Completely enthralling! Definitely a must-read!
The Boxcar Children BY GERTRUDE CHANDLER WARNER
These children’s classics for almost a century follow orphaned children from their days living in an abandoned boxcar to scores of locales thereafter, each with an exciting mystery just waiting to be solved! The books are portable and inexpensive, and there are now more than 120 in the series. It’s a unique, intelligent way to keep your kids entertained!
Richard Scarry’s Best Storybook Ever BY RICHARD SCARRY
Rather than bringing various separate books for children, why not find a favorite author and tote along his story collection, like this one from beloved author Richard Scarry? This collection contains 82 short stories, rhymes and games. Scarry’s gender-neutral stories, detailed pictures and bright hues offer enjoyment for all ages!
