At 28-years-old, the concept of “spring break” is a nostalgic one for me. I haven’t taken 7-10 days off of my responsibilities during March/April to jet to a fabulous destination since college. But this year, I’m driving down memory lane with a 5-day road trip of California’s central coast with my mom! We are incredibly excited about our impending trip and have been discussing everything from hotels to outfits to books. And that’s where we’re stumped. We want to pick the perfect mother/daughter spring break book so I’ve been on the lookout and have found five possibilities. Here is the list of contenders:
1. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion:
I’ve heard excellent things about this book and the plot sounds lighthearted, which is always nice for a vacation read. The story follows two main characters – Don, who is a genetics professor searching for love, and Rosie, who is a wild card woman searching for her biological father. As it sounds, Don and Rosie may find the love they’re looking for in an unlikely place – each other!
2. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed:
When Cheryl’s life falls apart, in part due to the death of her mother, she feels that she has lost everything. So with no real plan or experience, she sets off on a thousand mile hike, from the Mojave Desert to Washington State solo. And, of course, through this hike, she reclaims herself. To state the obvious, yes, it would be really fun to read about the glorious beauty of the state of California while in one of the most stunning areas of California. I love a book set in a locale that I can relate to. In addition to that, it’s nice to reflect on how important a mother/daughter relationship is while on a mother/daughter trip. And lastly, if this is anything like A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson than it will likely be lighthearted yet ridden with good life lessons. What more could we ask for?
3. Divergent by Veronica Roth:
The movie trailers for this book are already out so I need to read it soon; the timing of our trip may just be right on schedule. This book is a young adult series, which is great for vacation because it screams easy but entertaining! Set in dystopian Chicago, it’s about a girl named Beatrice – “Tris” – who at 16-years-old has to decide to which faction she’ll dedicate the rest of her life – the honest, the selfless, the brave, the peaceful, or the intelligent. Hiding a big secret and making a surprise decision, the novel follows her next steps, ones that could lead her to saving a society.
4. How to Breathe Underwater by Julie Orringer:
What drew me to this choice was that it’s nine short stories – perfect for a vacation that’s some downtime and some adventure. Even if we don’t have time to complete the whole book, we’ll still have finished numerous stories. And it seems like the reader gets it all through these stories – victories, tragedies, humiliation, and recovery. Sounds pretty inspiring to me.
5. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty:
When I saw the novel described as “cheerfully engaging”, it seemed a great fit for vacation. When Alice jumps from 29 and happy to 39 and distressed, all in one fall at the gym, she needs to answer the age old question that so many of us try to – how did I get here? With my mom and I both experiencing big life changes this year and last, this may be the perfect fit for our journey down the coast.
Well, mom, what do you think? And readers, do you have a preference or any other suggestions that we should add to our list?
Wantrepreneur, wife, adventurer, blogger, wine drinker, avid traveler…in no particular order. Carlene Moore is a Midwestern brain with a California soul. Follow her on Twitter @EverMooreMilest and read her blog here.
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