Got a Holiday Read Sorted? Here are Some Ideas
If you are packing your bags for a holiday and need a good book to take, we’ve compiled a list for you. We asked the BOMA team to tell us about their favourite read so that we can share it with you.
Jack Reacher – Past Tense by Lee Child
What a holiday read! Ex-army MP, Jack, wanders around the USA with only his passport, toothbrush and ATM card. In this story, he stumbles upon a family connection that uncovers its own set of challenges and mystery. With remote country motels, lazy small town cops and two lost Canadians – this latest installment of Reacher’s adventures will have you riveted to the very last page!
Recommended by Ian Christie. Ian is Founder and CEO of BOMA. He will be attempting to read a book this year in between work and travel.
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
“Loneliness was the first flavour I had tasted in my life, and it was always there, hidden in the crevices of my mouth, reminding me.” This is a story of the complexity and love in a mother-daughter relationship. It is written from the point of view of the daughter, Lucy Barton over 5 nights while in hospital after her estranged mother arrives to sit by her bed. This is a powerful and sad but beautiful book. In spite of her own experiences growing up, Lucy still knows who she is and is a loving mother. Highly recommended.
Recommended by Anna Lawrence. Anna is Co-Founder of BOMA and Sales & Partnerships Director. Anna’s holiday plan is an escape to the beach with the kids – and her mum (who gave her this book).
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
This book is a collection of essays (think Ted talks) and as a writer, he has been recommended people ranging from Barack Obama to Mark Zuckerberg. Harari helps us to grapple with a world that is increasingly hard to comprehend. Harari examines some of the world’s most urgent issues, including terrorism, fake news, and immigration, as well as turning to more individual concerns, from resilience and humility to meditation. He encourages the reader to solve problems by changing the question rather than answering it
Recommended by Charles Clark. Charles is Co-Founder of BOMA and Director of Marketing. His book reading time will be beside a lake this year.
Let My People Go Surfing – the education of a reluctant businessman by Yvon Chouinard
This is a book for entrepreneurs and outdoors enthusiasts. Let my People go surfing is the memoirs of Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia (Outdoor Clothing and gear). Here’s a quote: “We have always considered Patagonia an experiment in doing business in unconventional ways. None of us were certain it was going to be successful, but we did know that we were not interested in ‘doing business as usual.’ Well, we have survived and even thrived for close to half a century.”
Recommended by Andrew Baird. Andrew is BOMA’s Head of Engineering. He might get time to read a book after a spot of rock climbing.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
By the same author as The Boy in the striped pyjamas, this novel is set in Ireland and takes the reader from the 1940s to today through the eyes of one ordinary man. Born out of wedlock, he is adopted by a well-to-do couple in Dublin. The Heart’s Invisible Furies tells of his struggle with class, sexuality, and nationality and finding his own identity. This book will make you laugh and cry but also remind you of the redemptive power of the human spirit.
Recommended by Cat Morgan. Cat is Sales & Partnerships Manager NZ. Cat will be heading north this Christmas for some quality beach time.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist may already be on your must-read list, the novel is about following your dreams and listening to your heart. At the start of the novel, Santiago does not know what he should do when he is confronted by his dream. But by the end of the novel, Santiago completely trusts his heart to guide him through life.
Recommended by Karli Fountain. Karli is Sales & Partnerships Manager, Au. This year, the holiday read will be Less by Andrew Sean Greer, in between lots of family adventures, festivities and sunny times outdoors.
The Illustrated History of Football by David Squires
David Squires has a weekly cartoon in The Guardian. There is plenty of new material and text in this book that covers the game of Football from caveman days (seriously) to the present day and leaving nothing out, the good, the bad and the primadonnas! plus the biggest moments in the sport. It’s funny, entertaining and may strike up some debate with your mates or family this Christmas!
Recommended by William Gonzalez. William is BOMA’s Lead UI Engineer. William is catching up with old friends these holidays and will be calling home to wish everyone Feliz Navidad.
The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter
This is such a lovely little book and could be read by old and young. It’s set in the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee and tells the story of ‘Little Tree’ who goes to live with his grandparents after he is orphaned. With Little Tree as the narrator, we see the world through his eyes – his grandfather who teaches him about survival, hunting and the Cherokee way of respecting nature, and his grandmother who teaches him to read. When he is removed and taken to an orphanage be prepared to cry but this is a beautiful book that you will want to own to read again.
I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
This book was described as a thriller and even if that’s not your thing, you shouldn’t let this label put you off. this book is incredibly gripping and full of suspense. Pilgrim is the name of a man who used to head up a secret U.S. espionage unit. He is now retired and anonymous but when a murder is committed that shows all the techniques of a book written by him, NYPD detective Ben Bradley tracks him down to help. Now they need to save America from jihadist terrorism. An amazing book that you’ll find hard to put down.
Both books above are recommended by Liz Studholme. Liz is Content Marketing Manager at BOMA. Liz is packing up tents and togs along with a book… Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. Liz might include this in next year’s list, if you haven’t already read it!. Watch this space.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
An unforgettable story of a man’s journey into extremity. And it’s true! In 1943 a bomber crashes in the Pacific Ocean leaving Lieutenant Louis Zamperini thousands of miles from anywhere. Unbelievably he survives with only a makeshift and failing raft and the strength of his will. Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit. And if you have seen the movie it does not do justice to the book. Sorry, Angelina Jolie!
Recommended by George Coltart. George is BOMA’s Product Manager. George is heading out east for the big family Christmas and a game or two of Kubb.
Chinese Cinderella – the story of the unwanted daughter by Adeline Yen Mah
Kind of like the Cinderella tale, but set in China in the 1940s. This is the story of Adeline, (the author) and the childhood she survived. Her wealthy adoptive family considers her to be bad luck after her mother dies giving birth to her. When her father remarries, Adeline and her siblings are treated with disdain and cruelty by her stepmother and step-siblings. Not for the faint-hearted, this is a very sad story but well worth reading
Recommended by Kevin Ye. Kevin is Full Stack Developer at BOMA. He is home for the Christmas break and this will mean lots of eating and sleeping.
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas.
Book number 7 and the epic conclusion to the Throne of Glass series. The one-time assassin, now Queen of Terrassen, is up against an almighty army with only a cobbled-together army of her own. Will she prevail or will it take everything she has to win against the lord of darkness? If you have loved Sarah J. Maas’s #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series – this is a must read and you won’t want it to end.
Recommended by Caro Geelen. Caro is BOMA’s Customer Support Manager. Now that she’s read the final book in this series she is on the hunt for another great read. Plenty in this list Caro!
The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
All the Calvin and Hobbes cartoons in one big book that is endlessly entertaining. Sweet, funny, clever and timeless. Calvin is a small boy with a big imagination and Hobbes is his toy tiger.
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