“Beach read” is a very fast and loose term for books people read over the beautiful summer months when we really should be outside “doing things” but are instead reading…maybe outside. Some people see these months as an opportunity to slog through long classics (we’re looking at you “Moby Dick”) before the busy-ness of of the fall starts up, but for the sake of this list, we’re limiting our choices to stand alone, mostly feel good books (though there’s some obvious leeway here for Kate’s horror tastes!) that could be easily brought along on vacations. So, still a very loose definition, but hey, we had to start somewhere! We will select one title for each of the genres we most read.
Serena’s Picks:
Fantasy Title: “Enchantment” by Orson Scott Card
This is one of my all-time favorite fairy tale re-tellings. Based loosely on the story of “Sleepy Beauty,” Card re-frames his story as seen through the eyes of Ivan and sets his story in eastern Europe. What makes this story truly unique, however, is the decision to tell this story as more of a time travel adventure than a classic fantasy story, set in a fantasy land. Ivan and Katerina are fun characters (if very frustrating in their own ways of handling what has to be a bizarre situation), and the Russian setting and history is particularly interesting. A must-read for fairy tale lovers.
Science Fiction Title: “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline
In many ways, I think this book seemed to come out of nowhere and take the reading public by surprise. Especially today, when society is going through a “nerdom renaissance” of sorts, Cline’s love letter to 80s nostalgia and video gaming culture was an instant hit. And while pre-existing knowledge of pop culture references will make this book especially fun, it is by no means necessary. Fans of “Ender’s Game” (hey there, Orson Scott Card, long time no see!) are sure to love this sci-fi action adventure! Also, a movie is in the works, so take this opportunity to get ahead of the game.
Mystery Title: “Crocodile on the Sandbank” by Elizabeth Peters
I only recently discovered this mystery series, but it was love-at-first-read-page! There are some books that rely on many different factors (characters/plot/descriptive language/etc), but this series only needs one thing to sell itself: its narrator, Amelia Peabody. I don’t think I could name another protagonist’s voice who I enjoy more. She manages to be both a reliable and unreliable narrator at the same time, while also observing the world and those in it with the most distinct, and hilarious, voice I’ve ever encountered. Her interactions with the Egyptologist, Emerson, are particularly fun. Show up for the historical mystery, stay for Amelia Peabody herself.
Historical Title: “Death Comes to Pemberley” by P.D. James
“Pride and Prejudice” is one of my all time favorite books, and the idea of a sequel is almost blasphemous. Many have tried, many have failed. However, P.D. James seems to manage it! She doesn’t attempt to recreate Austen’s own unique style, but stays true to her characters (not modernizing them, which is often the main point of failure in these type of sequels). And instead of focusing on a continued romance (often another failing), she frames the story around a mystery featuring the love-to-hate Mr. Wickham, a mystery that Darcy and Elizabeth set out to solve! There are also several little references to other Austen characters which are fun to spot.
Kate’s Picks:
Horror Title: “Heart Shaped Box” by Joe Hill
Serena called it, my choice for horror isn’t exactly a happy book. But it is a very engrossing book. Jude Coyne is an aging rock star who likes to buy weird and creepy things off of eBay. His most recent purchase is a men’s suit that is supposedly haunted. When he gets the suit (delivered in a heart shaped box no less), he thinks that it’s just for grins. But then he starts seeing the ghost of an old man with scribbled out eyes around his house. He and his girlfriend Georgia go on a road trip to try and stop the haunting, the ghost following them the whole way. This is a fast and fun read that will keep you up at night, so perhaps save it for when you’re on a very sunny beach.
Thriller Title: “Creepers” by David Morrell
David Morrell may be best known for writing “First Blood,” which introduced the world to John Rambo. But he is also very well known for writing taught and creepy thriller novels outside of “First Blood.” “Creepers” is my favorite of his, and it concerns a group of urban explorers who are planning on breaking into the abandoned Paragon Hotel in Ashbury Park. One of those explorers is New York Times reporter Frank Ballenger, who hopes o profile them for an article. When they get inside they find a beautiful building that is frozen in time…. But there are other people lurking in the halls of the hotel. Hotels are no doubt the perfect setting for an unsettling story when you are on vacation in the summer months, and “Creepers” is sure to thrill you until the last twist.
Graphic Novel Title: “Roller Girl” by Victoria Jamieson
“Roller Girl” may be easily dismissed as a kid’s graphic novel, but it has a lot going for it. First of all, it’s a very relatable story about a twelve year old girl named Astrid who decides that this summer she wants to sign up for roller derby camp, and thinks that her best friend Nicole is going to sign up for it too. But when Nicole decides to go to dance camp (with Astrid’s sworn enemy Rachel!!!!) instead, Astrid has to take on this summer alone. I think we’ve all been there. “Roller Girl” is a very fun and touching book about summer camp, new friends, and growing up in some hard ways. Fans of “Whip It” will no doubt find something to love in this one!
What are you planning on taking to the beach with you this summer? Let us know in the comments!
The Library Ladies 