We’re excited to introduce our new Book Club here at Travel Times! Whether you’re travelling for business, heading on a sun-soaked holiday, adventuring solo, or enjoying a family getaway, a good book is always the perfect companion. We’re here to help inspire your next read. Each month, we’ll explore all the top genres and bestsellers, picking out two favourites to share with you!
Long Island, by Colm Toibin
Get ready to dive into the book that has been the sensation of the summer—the one you’ve seen on every sun lounger and in every beach bag. From the beloved, critically acclaimed Irish author and New York Times bestseller comes a captivating novel that masterfully weaves together secrecy, love, and the echoes of the past.
In this long-awaited sequel to Brooklyn, we meet Eilis Lacey twenty years later. Now in her forties, Eilis lives on a cul-de-sac in Lindenhurst, Long Island, with her husband Tony Fiorello, a plumber, and their two teenage children. Surrounded by Tony’s large Italian American family, Eilis still feels like an outsider in this new land, her heart tethered to Ireland, though she hasn’t set foot there in decades.
But the quiet rhythm of her life is shattered when an Irishman arrives on her doorstep, claiming that his pregnant wife is carrying Tony’s child. The shocking news forces Eilis to confront old wounds and make impossible choices that will ripple through her life and the lives of those around her.
Tóibín paints a vivid portrait of longing, loneliness, and the silent struggles that define Eilis’s world. With his signature grace and insight, he explores the complexities of marriage, identity, and the unbreakable bonds of home. Long Island is a stunning and unforgettable story, and it’s no wonder it’s been the book of the summer.
Swan Song, by Elin Hilderbrand
If you prefer your holiday reads with a touch of sparkle and a lot of heart—without the raw edge—then you’re in for a treat. Elin Hilderbrand, the undisputed queen of the beach read, delivers a spectacular finale to her beloved Nantucket series with Swan Song. This final instalment promises all the glamour you crave, while still delivering an emotional punch.
In Swan Song, a new couple is making waves on the serene island of Nantucket. The Richardsons, with their lavish parties and eye-popping wealth, have quickly become the talk of the town. Their arrival takes a dramatic turn when their newly purchased $22-million summer home goes up in flames. Although the Richardsons are blissfully partying on their yacht, the fire hits closer to home when their personal assistant goes missing.
Chief of Police Ed Kapenash, just days away from retirement, finds himself pulled back into the fray. With his daughter’s best friend among the missing, he has no choice but to delay his retirement and unravel the mystery surrounding the Richardsons.
In this sun-soaked tale, Nantucket’s own Fast Eddie, a local estate agent, and Blond Sharon, the town’s gossip queen now channelling her flair for scandal into creative writing, add their own twists to the plot. As the Chief pieces together the clues, he delves into the lives and secrets of the island’s residents.
Swan Song is a perfect conclusion to Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels, brimming with sumptuous gatherings, heartfelt drama, and the return of some of her most cherished characters. As always, Nantucket shines brightly as the true star of the show.