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If you’re like me, one of the reasons you look forward to vacation is because of it is the one time of year that you know you’re going to get to read. I love getting lost in a story and frankly will read the good, the bad, and the boring. However, I don’t want you to get stuck on vacation with a boring book so I’ve put together this list of the top 10 books to take on vacation.

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Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen

This is an absolutely hysterical ready! Essentially it is about a woman’s revenge on a telemarketer, but oh, my gosh, I laughed so hard!

A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands

A Quick Bite is a romance novel full of adventure, love, and humor. It is an easy and enjoyable read. My favorite thing about Lynsay Sands’ vampire novels is her unique take on the origin of vampires. She is the only author I have read with a scientific explanation on the mythical vampire.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

This is an exciting suspense novel about the disappearance of two 7 year old girls. It will definitely keep you guessing on the edge of your seat. Incredible read!

Autumn by David Moody

In case you didn’t know, I’m a horror junkie. Movies, books, comics… I love it all. This is a fantastic zombie horror book! David Moody is able to capture the confusion and danger of a world turned on its end. This is the first book of the Autumn series but they are all great reads!

Starters by Lissa Price

In this futuristic mystery a war has killed everyone between the ages of 20 and 60. The children have no rights and most of them have no money or home. This forces some of them to try to earn money by renting out their bodies to Enders (the seniors with power and wealth). The company renting the children has a more insidious plan, however.

The Paper Marriage by Susan Kay Law

This is a novel that delves into the tough choices in marriage. The main character’s husband has been in a coma for 12 years of their marriage due to a tragic car accident. This is a great story about faithfulness and healing.

Because I Remember Terror Father I Remember You by Sue William Silverman

This is a gut-wrenching memoir about Silverman’s sexually abusive childhood and subsequent survival. It is guaranteed to make you cry but also give you hope. It is an excellent and emotional read.

The Game by Monica Hughes

Reprinted in 2010 with an updated title and cover, this is another futuristic novel where young adults are disposable once they have left school. The world is a bleak and strictly controlled place where impoverished citizens are forced to scavenge. One group of friends is offered a chance to make money by playing a virtual reality game that soon turns deadly.

Appointment with a Stranger by Jean Thesman

This is an older book so it is only available in paperback, but it is a terrific read. The main character is saved from drowning by a mysterious stranger while staying with her grandmother. Although no one in the small town knows the stranger she continues to be drawn in deeper and deeper by him. I have read this so many times, my copy is well worn and loved.

False Memory by Dean Koontz

It seems that most people fall on one of two sides of Koontz. They either love all of his works or hate them. I, of course, am the exception in that while I enjoy a few of his works, I am not impressed with his entire repertoire. False Memory, however, is an incredible read. I couldn’t put it down. It is one of the best mysteries I’ve read.

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If your house is anything like mine, your kids get to watch a lot more television when someone else is watching them, be it family or a babysitter. I don’t see anything wrong with this and actually enjoy the fact that my kids see it as such a treat.

We only use Netflix in our home and although it has a “kids” section, it doesn’t have the same regulations that we have for what our children watch (Chowder for example is on there but not something our kids are allowed to watch). Instead of using that, use this Netflix hack create your own age appropriate profiles.

Step 1:

Log-in to your Netflix account on your computer.

Step 2:

Click on manage profiles in the top right corner of your screen. Then click on “Add Profile”.

Step 3:

Label with kids’ ages such as “Kids 2-5” and/or “Kids 6-10”. Do not check the “kids” box as this will prohibit you from creating an instant que. Click on continue and your profile will be created.

If you’d like, you can edit the profile picture once the profile is created by clicking on the edit button and then clicking on the little white triangle in the bottom right corner of the picture. This will allow you to select one from the pre-set pictures.

Step 4:

Use Netflix as that profile and add only your pre-approved titles to the instant que.

That’s it. You’re done. Now any time someone watches your kids just let them know that anything in their age appropriate profile.

Looking for more tips? Check out This $3 DIY Can Save Your Sanity.

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2. Take Preemptive Measures

If there are situations that happen frequently (or inevitably) that embarrass you, take the time to write them out and put a different spin on them.

I know that I will have temperamental coupons again, I will lose my cool with the kiddos, and eventually make another (possibly more public) digital faux pas. I am deciding ahead of time of alternative ways to think about the situation.

Coupons: There are so many variables with scanning coupons. The coupon printed funny. The scanner is malfunctioning. The cashier is brand new or a myriad of other things. It is not my own personal failing when this happens. I am trying to save my family money. If the people in line with me become impatient actually say something cruel to me it says a lot about their character.

Kids: I am not perfect, as is no one, and my kids need to learn that as well. If I acknowledge that losing my cool was not the best response, they are learning valuable lessons that I hope they carry with them into adulthood.

Digital Faux Pas: There are a lot of guidelines and regulations for posts on your blog, in groups you belong to, and social media and sometimes, I am going to make mistakes. I am not the only one. (An example of this is Facebook posts with the disclaimer.) When it is truly a mistake and not a blatant disregard for rules and etiquette, it is okay.

3. Write It Down and Destroy It

If you’re having trouble letting something go (you still become embarrassed thinking about it) write it down on paper. Allow yourself to feel embarrassed one more time and then destroy the piece of paper. Tear it up, throw it in the composter, or burn it with your firewood but actively destroy it. This journal is great for getting out embarrassment and frustration. Remember that you have the greatest grace of all and if God has forgiven you, who are you to not forgive yourself?

What is your worst embarrassment trigger and how do you handle it? Let me know in the comments!

Top 10 Books to Take on Vacation