By: Tiffany Wincek, Product Liaison

It’s been almost eight years since I last took a real destination vacation, but I’m coming off the heels of a week-long staycation, so I really can’t complain. I love days spent exploring my hometown, hiking through the Cleveland Metroparks or just through my neighborhood, catching coffee or dinner with friends, and listening to some great audiobooks while I put the house and yard in order. This week I finished Deep Work, Off the Clock, A Brief History of Time, We Are Never Meeting in Real Life, and Vox. I’m still working through Dune, my book club’s current pick, and to be honest, I may never finish it. Maybe I need the weather to be a bit more “All Summer in a Day” to handle all that sand and spice?

Is there a staycation on your horizon? Read on to discover which books Team OverDrive recommends for your time away from work.
cover image of We Are Never Meeting in Real Life
“Since this is 100% hypothetical (there’s no way I’m taking time off and not traveling), I’m going to say that Erik Larson’s Splendid and the Vile has been released and I’d be reading that. His other titles have all produced ‘How is this the first time I’m hearing about this?’ moments because the stories are fascinating, well-told, and true.”
–Beau Livengood, Team Lead 

“Choosing a book for my staycation was an internal struggle. Do I go with an old favorite? Do I choose a book because it’s available? No. The answer came to me in the form of a purple sticky note. As is customary, when I see advanced copies displayed on a table, I cannot pass by without a book or four. One book had a note attached from a prior reader: ‘DO NOT read this on a plane. But DO read it.’ I saw the note and knew I had to read Freefall by Jessica Barry. I have had this book on my shelf here at work for almost a year (that’s a bit embarrassing) and a staycation is a perfect time for me to relax on the porch swing and get lost in a thriller, far away from a plane. Now I’m off to schedule that staycation!”
–Lisa, Product Support Specialist

“An old one but a good one. This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper. A Jewish family comes home to sit Shiva when their father dies, and all their dysfunction is on display. Tropper is one of my favorite authors; he writes like Sedaris writing fiction. Somewhat dark and very funny. The movie is as good as the novel – give it a watch since you are home on vacation. I wish that Jason Bateman and Tina Fey were real-life siblings, their performances are that good.”
–Sarah Wilsman, Content Specialist

cover image of This Is Where I Leave You

“The perfect books to read during a staycation are those in a series with an upcoming ‘series finale.’ For instance, the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco is the perfect series to binge right now as the final book, Capturing the Devil, releases Sept. 10. This YA historical gothic series is filled with a brave and brilliant heroine, murder, mystery, and a swoon-worthy slow-burn romance. Not only will you not have to wait long to read the conclusion to this wonderfully written series, but you can give yourself the extra treat of listening to our Professional Book Nerd’s interviews with Kerri (episodes 168 and 266) to psych yourself up even more.”
–Andrea, Product Support Specialist

“The idea of two consecutive weeks without having to come into the office sounds glorious! There are so many options, but I’d like to use my hypothetical time off to give my mind a rest. I’ve been wanting to re-read the Harry Potter series. (Yes, I realize that I just equated reading seven books to a mental break #BookWormProblems). It’s been almost a decade since I reread the entire series and there are so many small details to catch again. And maybe after this staycay, I’ll find myself a stimulating Harry Potter trivia contest to indulge my stifled extroverted side that just spent two weeks reading all day.”cover image of A Curious Beginning–Bailey, Account Manager

“I adore Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series. The first book in the series is A Curious Beginning. It is a Victorian mystery series featuring a smart, slightly scandalous, female protagonist who is a lepidopterist (a butterfly studier) and crime sleuth. I always enjoy the juxtaposition of Victorian rigidity with female empowerment. Plus, there is romance sprinkled through the action.”
–Traci, Account Manager