Holiday reading recommendations

[Pigtailsandall]

Hi all, I'm after a few (2-3 books) to take on a beachside/poolside holiday trip this Easter. The most recent books I've read are quite heavy going, so something bit lighter with short chapters would be great. I'm not a fan of romance or thrillers which limits the holiday genre a little. Last year, I read a few of the Kate Atkinson Jackson Brodie books, and they were perfect - so something similar would be great.
I'd love some fresh recommendations!

Chris Brookmyre is amazing for Scottish crime and very funny too.
Highly recommend the Slow Horses series
And loved The Rosie Project.

Thank you! I'm not a huge fan of crime but I'll definitely check these out

Well, what genres do you like?

Hey, so like I mentioned I'm not a huge fan of romance or the whodunnit -books, though I have read some. I mainly like literary fiction, but also like memoirs, sci-fi, comedy, historical fiction....

OK, literary fiction, and I've chosen relatively light-hearted books, even when they deal with dark subject matter -- these are all brilliant.

Miriam Toews, All My Puny Sorrows.
Sigrid Nunez, What Are You Going Through?
Barbara Trapido, Brother of the More Famous Jack (and if you like that, there are several sequels).
Jenny Erpenbeck, Kairos.
Claire-Louise Bennett, Big Kiss Bye Bye.
Lily King, Writers and Lovers (and if you like that, there's a sort of sequel-and-prequel, Heart the Lover).
Anne Enright, Actress.
Barbara Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer.
Lorrie Moore, Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?

These look great, thanks! I loved My Puny Sorrows and Writers and Lovers so going by that the list looks good!

If you like Jackson Brodie, have a look at the Montalbano books. They’re set in Sicily.

If you like literary fiction, and want something short and light:

Aldous Huxley: Chrome Yellow
Virginia Woolf: Orlando
Evelyn Waugh: Men at Arms
Iris Murdoch: Under the Net

As for science fiction, have you tried Douglas Adams? Or how about Solaris?

I don't read historical fiction, but everybody seems to love C. J. Sansom.

When it comes to comedy, I worship at the feet of P. G. Wodehouse. Or how about Stephen Fry's autobiography? I guess it's a mix of comedy and memoir.

Read All Fours that will shock you!

I read it last year and enjoyed it!

Thank you, you know I've never read P. G. Wodehouse, I think it's time!

I think classics might be a bit hard-going for poolside, though I love Orlando. I read it when I was 13 and I think I was utterly confused by it, the rural farm girl that I was:)

Clare Chambers is one of my favourite authors. She writes about relationships and life. There's often a twist at the end.

@FacingtheSun That’s a brilliant list. Thank you!🤩

I stand by all of those, so I hope there’s something there you haven’t read and end up loving!

Just finished Teresa Driscoll - I am watching you.

I haven't read anything by her before but I loved it.

This…it’s a great subversive twist on the concept that a young mother might need a short break from time to time! Highly original and I couldn’t put it down. Miranda July is the author, I think.

I bought Who Wil Run the Frog Hospital and it looks like something I will love! Also got the Lily King book.