Tuesday, July 24, 2018

TTT - Favorite Vacation Reads

The top 10 weekly meme used to be hosted by The Broke and the Bookish they  handed over the reins to ThatArtsyReaderGirl who can be found HERE.  Each week she will focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading. 

This week's topic is "Books With Sensory Reading Memories."  I'll admit I immediately thought "huh?" but once I read it some more, it started to make sense.  So I decided to share with you books which I associate with being on vacation.  I usually take time off around July 4th and then again around Christmas and New Year's and I do have books which stand out in my mind which I recall fondly reading during those times.  So without further adieu.

I remember reading this last year during my summer vacation and chatting with Stormi about it.  She was on vacation overseas with her father at the time.  I definitely associate this one with summer.


Again, Stormi and I buddy read this one this year while I was on vacation.  I LOVED it (I promise, my review is coming up Thursday).  You'll see a lot of my vacation reads are King.


So for me, "The Shining" is a great holiday read.  I've read it three times and at least 2 of them have been during Christmas holiday.  I think it has something to do with the cold, snowy setting.  This book also reminds me of 6th grade history class too because that's where I first read it.  Yep, I was that kid (I had it nestled inside my history book in the back row).


I read "Certain Dark Things" on New Year's Day last year and it remains one of my favorite books ever!


Another book I read for the holidays in 2017.  I don't re-read a lot, but this one was so great, I can see myself doing it again eventually.


I read this on Christmas vacation in 2016.  Look at that cover, doesn't it scream Christmas read???  Whenever I see it, I always think back to my time off.


This was read on a rainy day following the  July 4th holiday.  It was the perfect way to recover from all the holiday festivities.  See what I mean, I look at this book and can remember I read it the day it rained on July 5th.  Funny what we remember right???


Another book I associate with Christmas time off.  My husband always laughs because if a King book comes out around the holidays and I ask for it for Christmas, he knows how I'll be spending the rest of my vacation time.  In fact, we always exchange a gift on Christmas Eve and if there's one under the tree for me, that's usually the one he picks.


So there's the 8 I remember the best.  However, I'm giving you an "HONORABLE MENTION" of sorts.  Horror books really are a sensory memory thing I associate with my dad.  He passed 5 years ago and he loved horror movies.  We used to always watch them together (because my Mom couldn't stand them) and it was kind of our bonding time.  So anytime I'm reading or watching horror, I'm usually thinking of dad.  I'm also creating an Addams Family Tag for October in his honor.  We drove my mom crazy with that show - she HATED it!


17 comments:

  1. I have the same kind of relationship with my dad as you had with yours. We watch a lot of stuff together like Game of Thrones and we both love horror books and films. I think the tag in his memory is a lovely idea and I'll certainly look out for that. I'm so sorry that you lost him Barb. From the way you talk about him I can see how much he meant to you *mega hugs*

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  2. I really need to give King a second chance. The Outsiders looks good and have seen great reviews.

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  3. Pupcakes, my goodness that pupper's face! And what a lovely memory to have of your dad and to a love of horror to share with him.

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  4. I love that memory of your dad! What an amazing bond to have, a love of horror movies. I often think of Stephen King when I think of vacations too😊

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  5. I love The Shining! I need to take it with me on my next vacation! I really need to check out Revival too. And I love the memories with your dad. I'll have to check out the tag!

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  6. I love that reading or watching horror reminds you of your dad. Definitely shows the power of memories brought out by books. The Addams Family Tag sounds awesome!

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  7. It is funny the things we remember. I was once asked why I keep so many books that I have already read. My answer is that just holding them brings back so many memories. I remember how I felt and other things connected to reading them. Thanks for sharing about your dad. My dad has been gone for almost 24 years and we didn't watch horror together but I watched quite a few westerns with him. So many shows bring back those memories.

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  8. Sorry, I am wiping away a free tears. I love that you and your dad shared such a love of horror.

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  9. I love the honorable mention for your Dad. That's so great that you had those quality moments with him over horror movies.

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  10. That's nice about your dad- how cool you guys had that time together. Awesome. I don't read a lot of horror but sometimes I do like to have the you know what scared out of me lol. sometimes you're just in the mood for that! I've herd good things about Certain dark things!

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  11. I totally associate you with Certain Dark Things. Your one of very few bloggers who are just as enthusiastic about that one as I am. What a great way to honor your dad. Looking forward to checking out the tag!

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  12. I seem to associate horror with everything. LOL But I do seem to gravitate towards zombies in the summer. My dad and I used to watch westerns together. Sometimes way into the night. I miss that.

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  13. I was going to read The Outsider while I was on vacation last week, but didn't get to it because things got busy. My husband read it though, and he enjoyed it a lot too, saying it was probably one of the better books King has written in recent years. Looking forward to your thoughts!

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

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  14. I enjoyed getting to learn about the memories you associate with these books, and that's really sweet that you were able to bond with your dad over horror like that :-)

    I just ordered Lost Boy, so I'm looking forward to finally getting to read it! I've never read The Shining, but I associate the movie with two things, and one of them in the English class I took my first semester of college because that was where I first started watching the movie lol.

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  15. So I haven't read any of these but I am happy you have such fond memories of them all. Though from what I know of the Shinning it doesn't give me "Christmas vibes" but maybe I need to check it out for myself ;)

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  16. How lovely that you have the raft of memories of your dad, Barb! I recall watching Thunderbirds with my grandfather - I was raised by my grandparents - who absolutely loved the show, as much as I did, to my grandmother's intense annoyance!

    I loved your list - and it has just enforced my determination to get hold of Certain Dark Things!

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  17. I just had nothing for this topic. lol I like how you did it. Pupcakes looks adorable!

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