From summer romances to family sagas, from dark comedies to urban mysteries: Rakuten Kobo offers six novels perfect for slowing down, disconnecting and rediscovering the pleasure of reading under the umbrella
Summer finally comes into its own and, like every year, the moment arrives when packing stops being just an organization exercise and becomes almost a declaration of intent. What to bring, what to leave at home, what is really needed to unwind and what instead only risks making the trip heavier, in a practical but also emotional sense. Because when you leave, especially after months marked by notifications, deadlines, meetings, messages and days that are always too full, it’s not just the destination you choose that counts, but also the type of lightness you decide to indulge in.
And it is precisely here that books to read on holiday come into play, those capable of taking up little space in the bag but a lot in the head, accompanying the reader into a slower, more personal dimension, less compressed by the rhythms of everyday life. Whether it’s a beach, a house in the countryside, a long flight, a terrace at sunset or simply a few hours finally free, the right novel can become the true luxury of summer: the time to get lost in a story without looking at the clock.
Rakuten Kobo has prepared a selection of titles designed specifically for those who want to disconnect and leave the frenzy of everyday life behind, alternating sentimental stories, Italian atmospheres, irony, mystery, second chances and imperfect characters, that is, often much more interesting than perfect ones.
Six novels to pack
Among the recommended titles is Imperfect for me Of Marianna Vidala lively, intense and contemporary read, built around themes that speak a lot to today’s reader: independence, family, second chances and that often necessary effort to accept that life doesn’t necessarily have to follow a pre-written script. It is the type of novel that works well on holiday because it combines rhythm and emotional involvement, without losing that essential lightness when looking for a story capable of keeping you company without weighing you down.
For those who dream of reading with a more Mediterranean flavour, The scent of summer lemons Of Karen Swan it brings with it all the imagery of the “Italian postcard” family saga: sun, feelings, suspended time and bonds that resurface with the strength of things left waiting. It is one of those books that seem designed to be read slowly, perhaps in the hottest hours of the afternoon, when even the surrounding landscape invites you to slow down and let your emotions pass through you.
Those looking for a more pop, fast and immediately engaging novel can instead focus on Dream of love Of Elsie Silvera cowboy romance that alternates sparks, irony and desire, perfect for those who want a read that immediately captures attention and keeps the pace high until the last page. It is the ideal choice for those who don’t want overly cerebral novels on holiday, but stories full of romantic tension, lively dialogues and that promise of escape which, under the umbrella, always works.
From irony to mystery, readings for those who want something different
There is also space in the selection All too mysterious Of Anna Premolia novel that plays on a double track particularly suitable for summer reading: on the one hand the investigation, on the other the attraction. Urban atmosphere, sharp jokes and a narrative tension that proceeds between mystery and feelings make the book a good choice for those who want something dynamic, brilliant and unexpected, capable of mixing lightness and curiosity without giving up the pleasure of the plot.
The atmosphere of instead is softer and more introspective Our perfect summer Of Carley Fortunean intense but enveloping read, built around memories, lake landscapes, personal growth and new perspectives. It is the right novel for those looking for a story that doesn’t rush too fast, but that accompanies the reader into a quieter emotional space, where summer is not just a season, but also the moment in which you can finally look at your life with a different breath.
Close the suitcase with All the other moms hate me Of Sarah Harman instead it means choosing a sharper and more surprising deviation. Here the register changes: dark comedy, sarcasm, a memorable anti-heroine and a satire of the “perfect world” of parents, told not with consoling sweetness but with a sharp, brilliant and twist-filled gaze. It is the right title for those who want to laugh, but not in a harmless way, and for those looking for a different reading from the usual summer novel, more biting, more irreverent and less predictable.
The true luxury of summer is disconnecting
The selection proposed by Rakuten Kobo works because it intercepts a very specific desire: not to read out of duty, not to read to catch up on something, not to read because you “have to”, but to read to breathe better. On holiday, in fact, the right book is not necessarily the most important or most discussed, but the one that manages to create a healthy distance from routine, from recurring thoughts, from the feeling of always being reachable.
Whether it’s a love story, a family saga, a black comedy, an urban mystery or a novel about second chances, what matters is the ability to take the reader back into a different, less fragmented and deeper time. Because truly disconnecting doesn’t just mean turning off the computer or changing cities, but giving yourself permission to inhabit another story for a few hours.
And after all, between swimsuits, sunscreens, chargers and documents, the book to pack still remains one of the simplest and most powerful objects of the summer: it weighs little, takes up little space, but can completely change the way you go through a holiday.
