As I write this, I’m busy planning a vacation to Maine—a vacation that I will already have enjoyed by the time you read this. There are so many factors to consider—car rental, restaurant reservations, day trips, wardrobe, etc. But perhaps the most important is: What am I going to read?

This is one of those occasions when I’m glad to own an e-reader. Don’t get me wrong: I’ll always favor a physical book over a digital one; nothing compares with the sensory pleasure of holding that objet d’art and turning its pages. But when I’m on the road? I’m perfectly content to stock my iPad with e-books for every reading contingency. After all, you never know whether you’ll be in the mood for a smart, adrenaline-boosted thriller—Denise Mina’s Confidence (Mulholland Books/Little, Brown, July 5) looks like a good candidate—or a work of nonfiction that illuminates a fascinating person or period—in which case, Damien Lewis’ Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy (Public Affairs, July 12) offers revelations about entertainer Josephine Baker’s exploits during World War II.

If I haven’t gotten to it before my vacation, I’ll definitely be reading All Down Darkness Wide (Penguin Press, July 12), a memoir by poet Séan Hewitt. Hewitt writes about struggles with his sexuality growing up in 1990s and early 2000s England and about the post-university relationship that was deeply challenged by his partner’s mental health issues. In a starred review, our critic calls it a “profoundly moving meditation on queer identity, mental illness, and the fragility of life.” OK, that doesn’t exactly sound like escapist beach-blanket fare—but I’m a strong believer that we should read the kinds of books we love all year round, whether on vacation or not. I’m always engaged by queer memoir, and this one sounds unmissable.

A great vacation read is also one that will keep me occupied—and engaged—all week long. (The right book will have me getting up early to read; quite an accomplishment when the temptation to sleep late is nearly irresistible.) A biography always does the trick. James Gavin’s George Michael: A Life (Abrams, June 28) promises more than 500 pages of pop-culture heaven—and hell, as he charts the singer’s many trials and tribulations leading up to his shocking death nearly six years ago at the age of 53. I’m a fan of Gavin’s books on Chet Baker and Peggy Lee; our review of George Michael says that “Gavin’s real stories of triumphs and tragedies poignantly explain one of pop’s most enigmatic stars,” so I’m downloading this to the iPad as well.

Since all of these are digital offerings, I won’t be sharing an Instagram post with my pile of vacation reads, as is popular with the literary set. But then who wants to lug an extra suitcase just loaded down with books? I’ll travel light with my iPad. Just don’t let me forget my charger.

Tom Beer is the editor-in-chief.