There’s no better time to read than a cruise, when you can kick off your shoes, grab a drink of choice, and settle in with whatever book you’ve been saving for just this opportunity.
Does this sound like a good idea to you? We have some recommendations perfect for all you August cruisers (and everyone else, too)! Pack one or two of these books in your suitcase or on your tablet for your next vacation.
Much to our kids’ dismay, summer is over and it’s time to head back to school. This time of year sure gets a lot busier for almost everyone, so taking some time to read can seem like a bit of vacation when we cannot get away. To keep that feeling going, I’ve compiled a list of books from some popular cruise ports.
Alaska
- Travels in Alaska by John Muir - Naturalist John Muir traveled to the pristine, mostly unexplored territory of Alaska. He recorded his experiences of glaciers and animals across what is now the largest state in the USA.
Cuba
- Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia - A family saga and testament to a group of women that spans from 19th-century cigar factories to present-day detention centers, from Cuba to Mexico. This book tells about the legacy of the memories they carry, and the stories they tell, even when people try to silence them.
Dominican Republic
- In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez - The true stories of three sisters who were killed for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the Trujillo dictatorship in 1960.
Haiti
- Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat - Sophie Caco returns to Haiti and discovers a legacy through the women who raised her, as well as the traditions, suffering, and wisdom of her people.
- Anacaona: Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490 by Edwidge Danticat - A narrative of Queen Anacaona, and the story of the Spanish conquering of native Haiti.
Italy
- Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman - Now a major motion picture, this book shows how sudden and powerful romance can be when a summer guest visits an Italian Riviera mansion.
Jamaica
- Selected Writings and Speeches of Marcus Garvey - Marcus Garvey is a local hero in Jamaica; a philosopher and racial activist. He was a Jamaican political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator.
Mexico
- Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - This dark fairy tale, inspired by Mexican folklore, tells the story of a young woman sent on a life-changing journey by the Mayan God of Death.
Spain
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - As Barcelona heals from WWII, a book dealer’s son becomes obsessed with an author. But while trying to find more of his work, he discovers he may have one of the few copies left.
This is just a sampling of the hundreds of ports that Royal Caribbean visits! Do you have a favorite author or book from a port you’ve visited? Post it in the comments so we can add it to our To Read lists.
What do you plan on reading in August? Do you have a Back-to-School list prepared?
