(a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish)
Heading to the beach this summer? If you’re looking for something to read while you’re desperately trying to keep sand from sticking to your sunscreen or while you’e sneaking an extra five minutes of sunshine during your lunch break maybe my Top Eight Beach Reads can help.
Why not 10? You ask (considering it’s Top Ten Tuesday).
I had lots of trouble concocting this list – and I realized why. I’ve spent the past several years reading classics, reading essays, reading literary theory, and devising all sorts of creative ways to deliver English curriculum in a captivating way to high school students. Little time was left for reading things I wanted to read…even my summers were eaten up by reading for the school year.
Starting this blog was a way to get back in touch with the “Me-Who-Reads-for-Pleasure” (I really liked her). I’m sad that I can’t offer more scintillating beach reads, but I realize that that might be where I want to go with my reading/blog: read more modern titles, and perhaps, lighter titles, too.
Well, here are some books that I think will keep you entertained this summer:
1. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson – a must-read for any true romantic. Love that survives 700 years, masterful story telling, stories within a story, archetypal imagery…simply put, riveting, beautiful, will stay with you. Hmmm, I think I really liked this book…
2. Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman – a story of two different time periods: post WWII Scotland and Australia; modern-day Australia and England. A granddaughter discovering the secrets of her grandmother’s life as she combs through the old sheep station she inherited from her grandmother. A moving story of love, family history, self-discovery and relationships.
3. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert – a wonderful story that will make you totally envious that your employer doesn’t give you a $30K advance on your next book so you can travel the world and find yourself. Seriously though, if you can’t travel, this book will take you to three awesome countries with loads of laughs, moments of sadness, nostalgia, and hope.
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockton – hilarious, sad, thought-provoking. Oh what women do…
5. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin – maybe this is your summer to do something wonderful for yourself…like become happy…or, happier. The Happiness Project will offer many ideas to help you get there – without being overbearing or preachy.
6, 7, 8. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins – The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay (yes, I cheated by numbering each individually…but, unless you’d like to read some essays on King Lear, you’ll go with it). Fun, fun, fun.
So, I hope there’s something there for everyone…my mission: come up with a better list for next year.
What are your summer favourites?
Great choices. I totally agree with THG. I’ve read them several times and I STILL get completely caught up in them.
LikeLike
Thanks! I just read them recently, and I’m looking forward to re-reading them.
LikeLike
Great choices. The Help is a lovely summer read. And The Hunger Games trilogy is so addictive and perfect for the beach. Hope you get in some reading for pleasure at the beach this summer 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you. That’s exactly how I felt about The Hunger Games – addictive. Put down one, pick up the next. And, yes, I do intend to read for the fun of it. Hope you get some pleasure reading in as well!
LikeLike
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is on my list. Might take it on my vacation next week.
LikeLike
In case you’d like more details on it check out my review of it (no spoilers) via link in post. Or, read it first, then give me your opinion (I know I’d prefer to do that myself). I haven’t chatted with anyone yet about The Happiness Project and am curious to hear other opinions.
LikeLike
Water for Elephants was a good summer read. So was The Ten Year Nap, esp if you have young kids. Ditto on The Help.
LikeLike
The Ten Year Nap sounds like what I need. Yes, I’ve heard that Water for Elephants is a nice read. I’ll put it on my ever growing list.
LikeLike
You may have convinced me to give The Gargoyle a try. Ten Year Nap? Hmmm. Love the list and the descriptions you provided as that’s always helpful.
LikeLike
Ten Year Nap – my son is three…the first two years of his life he was a very bad sleeper…I need to catch up on sleep 🙂 I have not read it, so I cannot comment on the actual book.
The Gargoyle – I picked it up on a whim and was very happy I did. Please let me know if you do read it…would love to hear your take on it.
LikeLike
I do love that you listed THE HELP – such a great book!
Fabulous list 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you. I flew through The Help – it was irresistible.
LikeLike
great picks. I have yet to read The Help, though. Maybe I’ll pick it up this summer! Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
You’re welcome and thanks to you too. We seem to have different reading tastes, it’s nice to see that something on my list appealed to you! 🙂
LikeLike