10 books to read on holiday

For moments of relaxation, books with simple and light plots are a must, promising guaranteed entertainment. In Los Sorrentinos (Sigilo, 2018), Virginia Higa follows this foolproof formula by diving into her family's story, composed of Italian immigrants, through humor and local color.

But these protagonists have a unique feature: they are the creators of sorrentinos, a pasta that—fun fact few people know—originated in Mar del Plata. This way, readers get a glimpse into the daily life of the Vespoli family at their restaurant, a routine full of the passion, excess, and unity that characterize true Italian blood.

Fun fact: The Trattoria Napolitana Vespoli, where the sorrentinos were born, is still open in Mar del Plata at 3 de Febrero 3158.

On vacation, nothing beats a novel with good rhythm. Lucía Osorio, a filmmaker, does justice to her title: reading Los fantasmas les tienen miedo a los perros (Hexágono Editoras, 2024), her first book, feels like watching a film.

It’s a dark and enigmatic tale in which two sisters hold a secret. Over time, what’s hidden begins to surface, causing friction within a violent and repressive household. The same silence in the house is mirrored in the narrative, which makes the reader feel as though they are witnessing the story through cracks.

Fun fact: The book was originally meant to be a screenplay, which explains the visual impact of the words that make it up.

It’s possible to travel to the most remote places through a book, and Lost in Translation (Libros del Zorro Rojo, 2016) proves it. As described on the cover, it’s “an illustrated compendium of untranslatable words from around the world,” ideal to carry around and familiarize yourself with the vocabulary of future destinations.

The author, Ella Frances Sanders, compiles words as diverse as “Komorebi,” which the Japanese use to describe “the light filtering through the leaves of trees,” or “Pisanzapra,” used by the Malaysians to express “the time it takes to eat a banana.”

Fun fact: For those seeking illustrated books for adults, Libros del Zorro Rojo offers a wide range of options beyond this recommendation.

Crime fiction is a must on vacation. In Las manos del General (La Pollera, 2024), Gonzalo Fassón takes a real-life event—the disappearance of former president Juan Domingo Perón's hands—to create a gripping and fast-paced novel set in Buenos Aires, with locations like the streets of Constitución and the bar at Los Inmortales.

You may also be interested in: 10 “Gentle” books to read at the end of the year

A mysterious body with strange hands sets off a series of deaths and disappearances that catch the attention of journalist Ricardo Moreno. The case rekindles his passion for his job to the point of putting his life at risk by meddling in unresolved events from history and disturbing some of the darkest characters. This isn’t a spoiler—just a preview: the novel ends with a fascinating epilogue.

Fun fact: Las manos del General was a finalist for the 2020 Premio Clarín and winner of the Mamotreto prize from La Pollera, selected from 250 novels.

Some books feel like journeys. In this case, the journey is with Martín Felipe Castagnet, who in Unos ojos recién inaugurados (Vinilo, 2023) recalls his grandmother Elsa. The writer spent over 15 years talking with her every night, and now that she is no longer there, he reconstructs those conversations to keep her present.

The result is a touching portrait of a woman with a unique personality and a bond that functioned as “a friendship disguised by kinship.” Anyone who has experienced the grandparent-grandchild relationship will appreciate this.

Fun fact: A tempting quote to spark your interest: “And now, that her conversation no longer accompanies me every night, I think of that lost treasure, except in my memory, although it is also in my personality, which is one of the forms of memory.”

On vacation, books that don’t require following a plot are also great companions, like Diosas mitológicas (FERA, 2024) by Graciela Caprarulo. It’s an ideal choice for those who enjoy learning something new in an entertaining way; in this case, the archetypes of the sacred feminine.

With incredible illustrations, the author explores various cultures and peoples, reconstructing the myths behind more than twenty deities, with both their light and shadow. It shows that “Western civilization didn’t always have such a patriarchal and masculinizing imprint.”

Fun fact: For those interested in esoteric themes, FERA has an intriguing catalog, including tarot decks and oracles.

Silk (Anagrama, 1996) by Alessandro Baricco is a captivating book, more for its prose than its plot, which revolves around a man’s daily travels from France to Japan in the 19th century in search of silkworms.

You may also be interested in: The 11 most fascinating bookstores in Buenos Aires

It could be a love story—and it is—but it’s also a tale about nostalgia and regret, as the protagonist is “one of those men who prefer to attend to their own life and consider any aspiration to live it inappropriate.”

Fun fact: This is one of Baricco’s most recommended books and a great introduction to his work.

In 1978, amidst the dictatorship and after months of threats, Mercedes Sosa decided to go into exile. In 1982, just weeks before the Falklands War, she returned to perform thirteen shows at the Teatro Ópera: a historic cultural event worth investing your free time to learn about.

With prologues by Teresa Parodi and Romina Zanellato, extensive bibliographies, and interviews with close people, celebrities, and fans, Facundo Arroyo reconstructs that fascinating and emotional story in Y un millón de manos que me aplauden (Gourmet Musical, 2024).

Fun fact: Gourmet Musical, as its name suggests, is a publisher specialized in music, with a wide range of books on different performers, bands, and genres.

For those looking for a reading experience that feels like a gentle caress, Eduardo Galeano is always a good choice. El cazador de historias (Siglo XXI, 2016) is his last book: he finished writing it a year before his death, and it was published posthumously.

Beyond enjoying the magic of his micro-stories, this work offers access to the intimacy of the Uruguayan author, with more personal texts where he shares his journey, emotions in the face of writing, and his position on death.

Fun fact: The last part of El cazador de historias actually belongs to another book that Galeano left unfinished, titled Garabatos.

This is the ideal book for traveling back to childhood and feeling like the protagonist. Lo que tenga que ser (Self-published, 2024) mimics the format of the iconic “choose your own adventure” books, where the reader decides the course of the story through certain choices.

Clara Antonione, the author, set out to honor this childhood treasure with a simple plot about a woman in her 30s. Narrated in the second person, the novel presents decisions as mundane as whether to go to a party or stay home. Seemingly inconsequential, these choices completely alter the characters' fate.

Fun fact: This is Clara Antonione’s debut book, and it can only be found on her website, making it a very unique read.