Six Books to Inspire your next Jamaica vacation

There’s something special about reading while travelling. 

Up north, temperatures will soon be falling and it’s the perfect time to make up your TBR list for your next Jamaican vacation in the sun. This island is rich with histories and stories of the people who make it so wonderfully diverse and enchanting. Here are six books to truly immerse yourself in the spirit and imaginary of Jamaica.

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

Poet and writer, Safiya Sinclair shares her memories of a strict Rastafarian upbringing with lyricism and vulnerability. Set in Montego Bay, where Sinclair grew up, it’s an endearing story of a young woman finding her voice. Sinclair describes the lush landscape and coastline of the island through a poet’s eye. You’ll recognize landmarks and neighbourhoods in the book, such as Whitehouse Fishing Village where her mother’s family is from, and Doctor’s Cave Beach which she visits with her mother and siblings.

At a high point of the book, she reflects on her debut at the Calabash Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, a mecca for lovers of all things literary and famously attended by acclaimed writers and celebrities like Salman Rushdie, Padma Lahksmi, and Angelina Jolie.

How to Say Babylon is an award-winning memoir and has been on bestseller lists from The New York Times, to Harper’s Bazaar, and the Washington Post to name a few, and was one of Former US President Barack Obama’s Favourite Books of 2023.

The Belcour Cookbook by Robin Lim Lumsden

A cookbook-cum-memoir filled with stories and recipes from an idyllic Jamaican childhood. You’ll find colourful and delicious dishes of Jamaican, Chinese, and European influences and the stories behind them that truly reflect our national motto, ‘Out of Many, One People’. It’s beautiful book with vibrant photography in which Robin Lim Lumsden’s personal history, travels, and family legacy take you across the island to sample the scents, sounds, and flavours of Jamaica; from catching crabs while on vacation near Port Antonio, to spending time in the Blue Mountains at a family cottage. Punctuated by the wisdom of Robin’s mother and other family matriarchs, the Belcour Cookbook is a wonderful guide for gracious hosting and entertaining with warm Jamaican tradition at the center.

On your next trip, you can step into the book’s colourful pages as Robin hosts tours and special events at the charming Belcour Lodge where she and her husband produce a line of artisanal products, including fine Blue Mountain honey, sauces, and chutneys. You can scoop up Belcour products at shops and supermarkets across Jamaica.

Dr. No by Ian Fleming

That’s right. The international man of mystery has Jamaican roots.

Inspired by the island’s intrigue, Sir Ian Fleming penned all 13 of the James Bond novels from his home at Goldeneye, just outside Ocho Rios. Dr. No is the first of the series that became a cultural phenomenon. Over the years, various landmarks and locations have been featured in the Bond films, including Laughing Waters, Dunn’s River Falls, and Green Grotto Caves. As you sip a martini, (shaken, not stirred, of course) in the golden glow of a Jamaican sunset, no doubt you’ll discover the same enchantment that Fleming called, “the gorgeous vacuum of a Jamaican holiday”.

How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan

What can we say? It's a classic for a reason.

An overworked, uptight, and single Stella rediscovers love and herself when she meets the handsome (and much younger) Winston on Jamaica’s sandy beaches. The book gave rise to the cult classic movie starring Angella Bassett, Taye Diggs, and Whoopi Goldberg. Shot at various locations in Montego Bay, the luxurious Round Hill, features prominently in the movie. Its light and airy décor and lush gardens set the perfect backdrop for Stella and Winston’s passionate affair.

Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay

Who can resist an island fling?  While we can’t promise a hunky love-interest included in your stay, you’re sure to meet some unforgettable people while you're here. Like Menseita, who has a passion for creating perfectly tailored vacations for guests at Round Hill. Or Gavin, who knows Jamaica inside out and specializes in ensuring the requests of the most discerning guests. Learn more about these vibrant People of Jamaica here.

This is the perfect book to bring along on your own self-care trip. Time to swap the briefcase for a bikini and come back to your best self in Jamaica.

Jamaica Vibes by Lisa Lovatt Smith and Novia McDonald Whyte

Published by Assouline, leaders in luxury and designer books, as part of their Travel series, this beautiful volume is much more than a coffee-table book. Stunning photography and thoughtful writing captures the unique style and vibrancy of this island that has inspired the music of reggae icon Bob Marley, and the writings of Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond series.

In the book’s foreword, Chris Blackwell, music industry legend and owner of Island Outpost (a portfolio that includes luxury hotels Goldeneye, The Caves, and Strawberry Hill), speaks on Jamaica’s undeniable global influence. Throughout its pages, famous visitors, including Kate Moss and Harry Belafonte, and residents share their thoughts on Jamaica. Jamaica Vibes is an up-close look at what makes this island so magnetic. It’s the perfect souvenir for yourself or gift for someone special.

Waiting in Vain by Colin Channer

Waiting in Vain is all you could want in a great beach read: a lyrical romance with colourful characters, and not to mention… it’s ~spicy~. Our hero, Fire, is a Jamaican-born renaissance man who’s as comfortable on the streets of Manhattan as he at a yard in Kingston. He meets Sylvia, a beautiful magazine editor, in a chance encounter and the two embark on a juicy ‘will-they/won’t-they’ love affair. The book’s title, as music lovers will recognize, is inspired by the Bob Marley song of the same name. Like the famous reggae song, the story is a sultry slow burn that’s totally engrossing.

The author, Colin Channer, is a co-founder of the Calabash Literary Festival – a mecca for lovers of all things literary. Held in Treasure Beach on the island’s rugged and artsy South Coast, Calabash welcomes literary superstars and A-List celebrities to gather by the sea for readings, reasonings, live music, and delicious food. It’s been described as ‘the world’s most glamorous book club’ but always maintains its down-to-earth unpretentious vibe. Don’t miss the next staging in 2025.

This one is a likkle brawta...that's how we say 'extra' or 'bonus' in Jamaica...

Chat 'Bout!: An Anthology of Jamaican Conversations by Shelley Sykes Coley

You can't come to Jamaica and not learn a bit of our colourful and expressive Jamaican language, commonly known as 'patois'. This collection of hilarious poems written in patois is a great place begin. You'll meet some memorable characters as they share their opinions, memories, and conversations from authentic Jamaican life. Sykes Coley made her debut sharing her poetry on the Calabash Literary Festival Open Mic stage back in 2016. The audience's positive reception (and big belly laughs) spurred her on to publish Chat 'Bout 'in celebration of all things mundanely Jamaican'. This book makes a great gift and an even better souvenir for any lover of Jamaican culture.