Best Holiday Reads

There’s something magical about lounging by the pool in your swimsuit, sipping an ice cold cocktail, and getting lost in a good book.

According to a survey commissioned by TUI Blue, 1 in 5 adults admitted to reading an average of 2.3 books whilst on holiday! If you’re one of those avid holiday readers, you’ll want to make sure your suitcase is stocked with enough captivating novels to last from take-off to landing. That's why we turned to you- our fellow bookworms- to share the holiday reads that had you hooked from page one.

Ready to discover your next poolside page-turner? Dive into our list of best holiday reads, as chosen by you!

"Set in a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders, but when a killing takes place on their doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case."

Penned by British television presenter, Richard Osmon, The Thursday Murder Club is a brilliantly funny murder mystery that has become a beloved favourite amongst holiday readers.

With its charming premise, hilariously british humour, and characters so endearing you'll want to follow them anywhere, The Thursday Murder Club offers a refreshing reading experience- the perfect blend of mystery, warmth, and wit that makes it an ideal companion for any holiday escape.

Match your holiday style to The Thursday Murder Club with something smart, quirky, and comfortably classic- think linen trousers and a bold print blouse and don't forget to bring a dose of British eccentricity.

Genre: Mystery/Crime

"Steve Wheeler is enjoying retired life. He does the odd bit of investigation work, but... his days of adventure are over: adrenaline is daughter-in-law Amy’s business now.

Amy Wheeler thinks adrenaline is good for the soul. As a private security officer, she doesn’t stay still long enough for habits or routines. She’s currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D’Antonio alive. Which was meant to be an easy job...

Then a dead body, a bag of money, and a killer with their sights on Amy have her sending an SOS to the only person she trusts. A breakneck race around the world begins, but can Amy and Steve stay one step ahead of a lethal enemy?"

Another Richard Osmon best-seller, We Solve Murders is a fresh take on crime fiction, flipping the traditional detective story on its head. Its got quirky characters, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your sunbed.

Although the chapters are snappy, We Solve Murders is a slow burner, making it the perfect fit for a laid-back summer break.

Match your outfit to We Solve Murders with a look that's bold, playful, and just a little bit cheeky!

Opt for a bright jumpsuit or a patterned blouse, and accessorise with a pair of statement sunglasses. Add a dash of detective flair with a fun hat or a silk scarf to channel the book's unconventional charm.

Genre: Comedy/Mystery

"High-flying public relations supremo Agatha Raisin has decided to take early retirement. She's off to make a new life in a picture-perfect Cotswold village. To make friends, she enters the local quiche-making competition - and to make quite sure of first prize she secretly pays a visit to a London deli.

Alas, the competition judge succumbs after tasting her perfect quiche, and Agatha is revealed as a cheat and potential poisoner. Definitely not the best start. So Agatha must turn amateur sleuth - she's absolutely got to track down the real killer!"

With a whopping 38 bite-size books in the collection, Agatha Raisin stories are ideal for holiday binge-reading. This unconventional detective series follows a lovably flawed heroine, who brings  a dash of humour and a dose of sass to every (mis)adventure! 

The humour mixed with the cosy Cotswolds setting makes this a relaxing, feel-good read that has everything you need for a bit of lighthearted escapism.

Bring 2 or 3 of these suitcase-friendly books. So, if you finish the first mystery, you can dive straight into the next.

Channel Agatha Raisin in your holiday looks with a touch of Cotswold chic and a dash of detective drama. For example, you could wear a tailored blazer over a floral dress. Then, add some statement jewellery and a fabulous hat to capture Agatha's no-nonsense charm.

Genre: Romance/Drama

"The Italian evening class at Mountainview School is like hundreds of others starting up all over the city. But this one has its own special quality- as the focus for the varied hopes and dreams of teachers and students alike. 

And by the time the group sets off on the end-of-course trip to Italy, a surprising number of those hopes and dreams have come true- in some odd and unexpected ways."

If you're going to pick just one Maeve Binchy book to bring on holiday, it has to be Evening Class. 

This uplifting story brings together a diverse group of characters. each with their own struggles, who make connections and experience transformation through their Italian evening class.

Like in many of Maeve Binchy's works, the characters' stories are beautifully interwoven and their journeys leave you with a sense of optimism, which is perfect for the sunny holiday mindset.

Evening Class is all about journeys, and it even ends in a group trip to Italy! So, its the perfect travelling companion.

If you love this holiday read, it's also connected to Quentins and Nights Of Rain and Stars- so you can keep the good vibes going with familiar faces and settings.

Bring these uplifting vibes to your holiday style with light fabrics, warm earthy tones, and Italian elegance- think flowing sundresses in soft yellows or deep reds, and complete the look with a straw hat, and a touch of gold jewellery.

Genre: Romance/Historical Fiction

"Granada's cobbled streets resonate with music and secrets and Sonia Cameron is here to dance. She knows nothing of the city's past. But in a quiet café, a chance conversation and a collection of photographs draws her into the tale of Spain's devastating civil war.

Seventy years earlier, the café is home to the Ramírez family, when Franco''s army coup shatters the fragile peace and they witness the worst atrocities of conflict. Divided by politics and tragedy, everyone must take a side, as Spain rips itself apart."

Victoria Hislop's 'The Return' is a holiday read that'll transport you straight to 1930s Spain- you'll feel the heat of Granada, hear the Flamenco guitars, and taste the tapas.

Though there's a grand love affair at its heart, The Return is more than your typical holiday romance. Partly set in the midst of the Spanish Civil War, this book brings this period to life with compassion and depth. Bringing romance and historical fiction together, its a tale of love, loss, courage, and family. 

Hislop's writing is evocative and immersive, yet easy to read, making it ideal for getting lost when you're lounging by the poolside or soaking up some culture abroad.

Echo the passion, history, and soul of 1930s Granada with a flowing red dress or skirt and a pair of vintage leather heels. Accessorise with gold jewellery, stick a flower in your hair, and complete the passionate look with a bold red lip.

Genre: Romance/Drama

"Nancy Smart is in the wrong place at the wrong time when she becomes accidentally embroiled in a plan to kidnap the heir to a fortune and her ordinary life is turned upside down"

If you're a fan of Bridget Jones, you'll love this feel-good romantic adventure about a woman who's just trying to take a much-needed break... but ends up tangled in a web of incompetant kidnappers and unlikely allies. 

Set on a sun-drenched mediterranean island, Getting Away promises pages filled with laugh-out-loud moments, sizzling romance, and just the right amount of chaos. 

This holiday read is Amelia Short's debut novel, offering a refreshingly sharp voice that breathes new life into the rom-com genre. 

To match your holiday style to Getting Away, lean into the book's playful, cheeky energy with a brightly coloured tunic and some cute denim shorts. Add some comfy sandals or loafers- anything you can run in- and finish off the look with a fun tote bag.

Genre: Historical Fiction/Time Travel/Romance

"1946, and Claire Randall goes to the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. It's a second honeymoon, a chance to re-establish their loving marriage. But one afternoon, Claire walks through a circle of standing stones and vanishes into 1743, where the first person she meets is a British army officer - her husband's six-times great-grandfather.

Unfortunately, Black Jack Randall is not the man his descendant is, and while trying to escape him, Claire falls into the hands of a gang of Scottish outlaws, and finds herself a Sassenach - an outlander - in danger from both Jacobites and Redcoats.

Marooned amid danger, passion and violence, her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives."

Set in 18th-century Scotland, with its vivid landscapes, clan rivalries, and rich historical detail, reading Outlander on holiday is like taking two trips at once!

The unforgettable love story and the atmospheric setting, amidst the rolling highlands, make it easy to get swept away for hours- ideal for lazy pool days and long flights. If you love a bit of passionate romance and a bit of fantasy with your fiction, Outlander is a holiday read you won't soon forget!

Matching your holiday outfits to the Outlander series is all about blending the rugged romance and cosy charm of the highlands with modern styling. Wear flowing maxi skirts in earthy tones, paired with leather sandals or western boots. Tie your hair into a windswept braid and you'll have the perfect look for exploring ancient ruins... or just strolling to the bar....

Genre: Historical Fiction/Time Travel/Romance

"Delve into the magical, unforgettable world of James Herriot, the world's most beloved veterinarian, and his menagerie of heartwarming, funny, and tragic animal patients.

For over forty years, generations of readers have thrilled to Herriot's marvelous tales, deep love of life, and extraordinary storytelling abilities. For decades, Herriot roamed the remote, beautiful Yorkshire Dales, treating every patient that came his way from smallest to largest, and observing animals and humans alike with his keen, loving eye."

Full of heartwarming tales and gentle humour, James Merriot books are the ultimate antidote to everyday stress. As Herriot shares anecdotes from his life as a country vet, you'll be swept up into the rural world of the Yorkshire Dales, where you can truly slow down and switch off from the modern chaos.

Whether you're an animal lover or not, the kindness and humour in James Merriot's stories will provide a deeply soothing escape.

To match your holiday outfit to James Merriot's All Creatures Great and Small, go for countryside chic with a vintage twist. This could mean pairing a breezy cotton shirt and cargo trousers with a wide-brim straw hat and some worn-in loafers. Whether its on a graphic tee or a tote bag, animal prints are a must! Layer it up with a knitted cardigan for that "Yorkshire lass on vacation vibe", and you'll have an outfit that's as wholesome and heartwarming as the stories themselves.

Genre: Biography/Travel/Romance

"The story begins in a public square in New Delhi. On a cold December evening a young European woman of noble descent appears before an Indian street artist known locally as PK and asks him to paint her portrait – it is an encounter that will change their lives irrevocably.

This is the remarkable true story of how love and courage led PK to overcome extreme poverty, caste prejudice and adversity – as well as a 7,000-mile, adventure-filled journey across continents and cultures – to be with the woman he loved."

The Amazing Story Of The Man Who Cycled From India to Europe For Love is a brilliantly uplifting true story that celebrates love, resilliance, and the power of believing in something bigger than yourself- the kind of feel-good inspiration that pairs perfectly with sunshine.

Andersson's book is a real life adventure across continents that makes India and Europe come alive on each page. Though at the heart it is an inspiring love story, the book allows you to travel through the eyes of the author as you relax, making it the perfect travelling companion for a summer break.

To match your holiday style to this vivid tale, it's all about embracing wanderlust and boho. Look for a floaty maxi dress with vibrant prints and pair it with sandals or espadrilles to create that "ready-for-adventure" energy. Finish the outfit off with a statement jacket, embroidered and customised to perfection.

Genre: Travel Memoir/Humour

"Dave, a man who cherished the simple pleasures of life, believed he had finally discovered the secret to tranquility. But the universe, it seems, had other plans. Enter Doris, his old, whirlwind of a neighbour, who crashes into his life.

When she convinces him to join her on a fully-paid vacation to the picturesque island of Naxos, Dave anticipates a serene getaway. Little does he know, he's just signed up for a journey filled with uproarious blunders."

Doris and Dave's Greek Adventure is the perfect lighthearted escape for poolside reading. Set on the sunny Greek island of Naxos, the vivid descriptions will transport you to a place of olives and ouzo- with a dash of accidental chaos.

Chorley's brilliantly british humour is an instant stress reliever- he and Doris' wild antics are guaranteed to have you in hysterics! 

From bus rides to beach days, this book is so easy to dip in and out of between dips in the sea or sips of greek coffee.

To match your holiday style to Doris and Dave's Greek Adventure, go for a colourful, carefree, and slightly eccentric look- breezy tops and dresses in white and Santorini blue, paired with a straw hat and some statement accessories. If you really want to go bold, swap out the blouse for a graphic tee with a cheeky cocktail print!