The masses will soon be flocking to the shore for a weeklong escape from the reality that makes for the balance of their year. Relaxation for body and mind is generally the goal and to accomplish this, many a page will be turned during the coming months.
I live close enough to the coast for regular visits and while out this morning with one of the Aussies I wasn’t the least bit surprised with the near library’s worth of books coming out for a day of reading by the ocean.
The Season of the Beach Read is upon us.
But what is a beach read? Opinions vary. Some say mindless fiction. Some say the latest release from the appropriate NY Times bestseller list fits the bill.
However, there is a growing school of thought that the true beach read is actually a discovery of sorts. This doesn’t mean you can’t read your bestseller at the beach – read away!
However, when you find a book, through recommendation or otherwise, you enjoy not only reading the book, but you have the added enjoyment of discovery. Then you get to recommend it to the masses. Point is there is an amazing trove of excellent writing out there aside from the bestseller lists. You just have to look for it.
Your fellow readers will love having you make a recommendation for them. They’ll tell you about what they’ve just read. And, writers will love you because you’re spreading the word about their book. What a wonderful circle – everyone wins!
So to get the ball rolling, I thought I’d pass along a few recommendations that would make excellent Beach Reads. So, for your considerations.
Heresy by S. J. Parris – A historical thriller set in Victorian England. Heresy tells the tale of an excommunicated Italian monk hot on the trail of a killer in the hallowed halls of Oxford. When you finish, you’ll see your fingers are crossed in hopes of follow up.
Bridges – A Tale of Niagara by dk LeVick – Bridges is a coming of age tale set in the early 1960’s. Through the exploits of a group of teenage boys, LeVick brings the fascinating history of Niagara Falls to life.
Salt by Mark Kurlansky – I had to put a non-fiction book on the list. Salt is the history of, well, salt. Amazing work. Kurlansky has made the history of perhaps the most humble of all compounds into an edge of your seat page-turner.
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon – This was originally published in Spanish. I’m careful with translations, but the English version is flawless. Books by a mysterious writer are disappearing and people are getting killed. A young boy comes into possession of one of the books and finds his life woven in with that of the author as the plot tightens its grip.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin – An amazing book from an amazing storyteller. Set in Mississippi (hence the name of the book) Franklin weaves a tale of lives intertwined and mysteries that span generations. The story telling is captivating, the dialogue as authentic as it comes and the story will keep you glued to the page.
I’ve also learned to be shameless so I’ll include my book, The Trust, on the list as well.
Remember part of the fun of Beach Reads is not only to enjoy the books, but to tell others so they can enjoy as well and will be able to pass the information on to the next.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Feel free to comment and remember, a percentage of all sales from The Trust are donated to canine related nonprofits. Support K9 rescues!
