This summer we won't be traveling but I'm getting a little stir crazy stuck at home so I've decided I'm going on a virtual vacation with a little help through my bookshelves. It won't be quite as relaxing but it will be quite a lot cheaper and at no point will I have to wait any kind of line or wear anything but comfy clothes so it kind of all works out. Here are the books that I'm going to "travel" with this summer.
France:
I've never been to France so I'm taking a bit of a whole country tour with a fiction and two nonfictions.
1. A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable
2. The Art of French Eating by Ann Mah
3. The French House: An American Family, a Ruined Maison, and the Village that Restored Them All by Don Wallace
Napa Valley, California
I'm actually not really a wine drinker but Napa Valley looks gorgeous and Roberts never fails to pull me into the story so I figure this will be quite an interesting visit!
4. The Villa by Nora Roberts
Scotland
A two book tour of Scotland. One involves a falling apart family and a castle while the other involves a murder. They both involve bookshops.
5. The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan
6. Lost Books and Old Bones by Paige Shelton
Greece
This trip to Greece won't be relaxing as there will be lots of scuba diving, mystery uncovering, and deep dives into history but it will be lots of fun.
7. The Sea King's Daughter by Barbara Michaels
Louisiana
We spent 4 months in New Orleans in 2019 and 2020 and I miss it so much so I thought I'd do a visit both in New Orleans and up River Road.
8. The Stalking by Heather Graham
9. Fatal Cajun Festival by Ellen Byron
The Hamptons
I love summer and heat doesn't bother me but Louisiana in the summer is daunting for just about anyone so I'm going to finish up with a quick trip up north to New York where there will be antique shopping and house clearing out in The Hamptons.
10. Hearse and Gardens by Kathleen Bridge
Do you have any virtual vacation plans this summer? Or actual vacation plans?
A virtual vacation appeals to me more and more these days - all of these look great - currently The Paris Apartment is on my list!
ReplyDeleteYes, these locations sound great! France, the Hamptons, and Northern California are three I'd especially love to visit, along with Ireland and Italy.
ReplyDeleteThat's about the only way I travel these days, through books and movies. I saw something on JoAnn's blog about July in Paris hosted elsewhere. She put up the link and I am thinking about participating.
ReplyDeleteAnn Mah has long been on my list and we use her instant pot cookbook quite a bit.
Some lovely locations here! It's been forever since I read that Barbara Michaels' book. Don't remember much about it, but I'm sure I liked it. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, it is fun to experience other countries by reading books. Also when I was reading The Missing Sister, I was reminded so much of Ireland and the places I'd seen. Scotland is a place I'd love to visit but not going to happen so books it is.
ReplyDeleteI like your itinerary! I agree about Nora Roberts - especially her stand alone novels. Enjoy your vacation!
ReplyDeleteFun topic for a post! My family and I are actually headed to the U.K. and Paris in October. I've never been across the pond, so I'm really excited. I have a lot of family history in England, Scotland, and Wales, so a lot of our trip will be concentrated there.
ReplyDeleteNew Orleans is a place I need to visit more thoroughly. My youngest is adopted. She was born in Baton Rouge, so we flew in when she arrived. With an infant, though, we didn't do any sightseeing. I definitely want to go back with her at some point and explore the area where she was born.
I do enjoy traveling but lately it's all been virtual. You have some great choices on your list.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love armchair travel when I can't do the real thing.
ReplyDeleteSo many great books and places to travel! :)
ReplyDeleteTraveling through books is the best way to travel!
ReplyDeleteI'll take the Paris apartment, please! 🗼
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