Just a little heads-up: a few of the links you’ll see are referral (affiliate) links. That means if you click through and treat yourself to something, I might get a tiny thank-you in return, but don’t worry, it won’t cost you a penny more. I only share things I truly love or think you’ll find useful. Thanks for helping keep this blog going!

Since moving back to the UK I haven’t had as much head space to tuck into many good books. So I wanted to share some books that have gripped my attention span long enough to finish them and dare I say it, also enjoyed.

See this lists I written before ‘9 Books to Pack in your Suitcase‘, ‘9 Books to Transport you Around the World from the Comfort of your Sofa‘ and ‘9 Books to Read from your Pool Lounger, Aeroplane Seat or the Comfort of your Sofa‘.

Please share any books you’ve enjoyed recently in the comments section, I’m always looking for my next favourite read, and so I don’t get stuck in rom-com alley.

So here is my latest list of 8 books to pack in your suitcase (or download to your kindle)…

1. The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese  Initially this got my attention as it’s an Oprah bookclub book and based in India. I’ve never read such an original story line. It’s a story of a Scottish surgeon intertwined with a Keralan farming family who have a ‘condition’ where family members keep drowning. Shop Now

2. The Paper Palace, by Miranda Cowley Heller, If you loved where the Crawdads Sing I feel this is for you. I found it a much easier to read and was really drawn in by the nature and beauty of the pond side home of main character, Elle. Enough gritty dark secrets and family drama to keep you hooked. Shop Now

3. Diplomatic Baggage: Adventures of a Trailing Spouse, by Brigid Keenan Ever wondered what it’s like to be a trailing spouse and travel the world. Having been just that, this book resonated with me so much. I passed it onto a few friends and it really helped them understand how lonely it can be to be an expat. The thrills and long lasting friendships that come with this way of life are explored beautifully in this book. Shop Now

4. Where The Light Gets In, by Lorna Dillon This was very much a pallet cleanser for me. A fail safe rom-com, where the main character also has a love for art and rural life. A very enjoyable, easy read and lovely to spend some time in rural English countryside. Shop Now

5. I’m Sorry you Feel That Way, by Rebecca Wait Dysfunctional families explored with an awesome sense of humour. Toxic mothers, absent fathers, enraging brothers they’re all in this book. A brilliant book I’m glad my friend Annabelle passed onto me. Shop Now

6. The Hand That First Held Mine, by Maggie O’Farrell  I loved how this book took me across the parks and streets of London and a mix of two time zones. A family with a new born and the 1950’s art scene in Soho. You’ll love how they enter-twine. Shop Now

7. The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett A story of two twins that take different paths in life, and how chance encounter hurtles them back onto the same track. Can they outrun their past or will their daughters bring them back together? Shop Now

8.  The Education of Ivy Edwards, by Hannah Tovey  A very raw account of breakups and single life in London. Prepare to be shocked by drug and alcohol abuse, but Ivy the main character is still likeable and you’ll find yourself rooting for her. Shop Now