Did you know today is World Book Day? World Book Day is celebrated annually on April 23 and originally created by UNESCO to promote reading and publishing. It's a great day to celebrate the love of reading and the glorious written word!
If you've been smart enough to create a long weekend to coincide with ANZAC Day, then now is a great time to curl up with a book on holidays and indulge in the relaxing pastime of reading a great novel. So take time today to find a spot in the sun with a cup of tea and spend the day reading.
Here's our pick for the best long weekend reads for World Book Day:
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
While Big Little Lies by Australian author Liane Moriarty was first published in 2014, it's receiving plenty of buzz of late thanks to the TV miniseries adaption by HBO starring Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. Big Little Lies follows the lives of three women and tackles the themes of schoolyard scandals, married lives, ex-husbands, friendship and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
Just a word of warning, this one's a tear-jerker, so probably best to curl up and read in a quiet corner rather than being caught out poolside or on an aeroplane, tears streaming down your face. It's the story of Lou Clark who is stuck in rut with an ordinary life and a steady boyfriend, who takes a job caring for the wheelchair-bound Will Traynor. Will had an active life before an accident left him wheelchair-bound and this charming story shows the unexpected joy that Lou brings to Will's life in surprising ways.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
It may take longer than a long weekend to finish this epic novel (at a whopping 771 pages) that follows the life of Theo Decker over a number of decades. It begins when thirteen-year-old Theo miraculously survives an explosion in a New York art gallery that kills his mother. The story unfolds as this lost soul moves in with a wealthy family, then his father in Vegas followed by an antique dealer in New York eventually leading Theo into the underworld of art. It is a story of loss, obsession, survival and self-invention and you'll either love it or hate it.
One Summer in Venice by Nicky Pellegrino
After The Goldfinch, you'll be needing a light holiday read! One Summer in Venice tells the story of Addolorata Martinelli who escapes her family and business for summer alone in Venice. She begins to construct a list of the ten things that make her happy, makes new friends and rediscovers herself. With a beautiful Italian setting, it's the perfect holiday read.
The Promise Seed by Cass Moriarty
I had the pleasure of meeting Brisbane based Cass Moriarty (no relation to Liane Moriarty) recently after reading her beautiful debut novel. It's the story of an elderly man and the unlikely friendship that forms with his 10-year-old neighbour. They mystery at the heart of the novel is cleverly unravelled and keeps you wondering until the end. A wonderful novel and we can't wait to read Cass' next novel called Parting Words due for release in August 2017.
Looking for a hotel to cosy up to? A couple of our favourite boutique hotels with book themes are Ovolo Woolloomooloo (pictured above), Tryp Brisbane and Spicers Balfour - you can get lost in their little library.
Which book are you reading and loving at the moment?
