Tuesday 11 June 2013

Top Ten Tuesday (#7): Beach Reads

This awesome book blog meme - hosted by The Broke and the Bookish - is where book lovers list their favourites inspired by a new topic each week. This week everybody is sharing their list of Top Ten Beach Reads! For me, the perfect book to read at the beach is a blend of a few of the following ingredients: an entertaining plot, adventure, a dash of humour, a sprinkle of romance, a dose of friendship and a summer setting. And it definitely should be a paperback! My favourite reads that fit in with my definition of a beach read are, in no particular order...

Graffiti Moon
Source: Goodreads

1) Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Graffiti Moon is one of the best contemporary books I've read this year! It's sweet, arty, summery and enchanting, a great choice for the beach!


The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Source: Goodreads
2) The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Arnold is different from other kids because of brain damage at an early age. His story is touching and yet humorously told, a sort of black comedy of the harsh circumstances and awful incidents he faces. Though it isn't entirely light, I think The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian would be fun to read at the beach - especially since it has cartoonish pictures to balance out the dark side.

Ten Things We Shouldn't Have Done
Source: Goodreads

3) Ten Things We Shouldn't Have Done by Sarah Mlynowski

Looking for a FUN beach read? Humour, romance, friendship, crazy times? Yes? Then this is what you should take with you to the seaside.


Paper Towns
Source: Goodreads
4) Paper Towns by John Green

Mix together an epic revenge plot, a secretive girl, a guy who's in love with her, a mystery and a road trip, and you finish up with Paper Towns. For me it fits the bill of beach read - and seriously, I can and will add a John Green book to every TTT possible. And come on, road trips are the epitome of summer.


After Summer
Source: Goodreads
5) After Summer by Nick Earls

This was a great read with a guy's perspective - a little quirky, amusing and with a summer and a beach setting! The aspect of body-surfing was fascinating, I'd never heard of it before.


The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Source: Goodreads
6) The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Yup, this has been on several of my TTT lists already, but how can this cute novel not be a marvellous choice for the beach? Traveling by plane to London, going to a summer wedding, meeting a nice boy... Light, but not too much so, and honestly so adorable.

Where Rainbows End
Source: Goodreads
7) Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern

I had a Cecelia Ahern phase once when I read several of her adult chick lit novels and this one just might be my favourite. It's really quite original - the story of Rosie and Alex, BFFs, that spans basically their whole lives (literally decades) and consists of e-mails, letters and cards they have sent and received from people. And it all works so well, despite there never being a "proper" narrative! Anyway, any Ahern book would work for the beach since they're all kind of magical, enjoyable and unique.


Siren (Siren, #1)
Source: Goodreads
8) Siren by Tricia Rayburn

In case you want something mysterious and paranormal to read at the beach, pick up Siren. In short, the main character Vanessa tries to figure out the truth behind her sister's death and the disappearance of their mutual friend - creepy, yet not especially "heavy" or too dark.


The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)
Source: Goodreads
9) The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Two words: summer camp. Add in Ancient Greek gods, sword-fighting and going on a quest with a satyr and a daughter of Athena... Can't get much better than that.








Only thought of nine this week - what do you think are great books for the beach? Feel free to leave a comment or a link to your TTT and I'll stop by! =) All of the books have been linked to Goodreads.

-Eve




6 comments:

  1. I love Sarah Mlynowski! Her books are always fun. I still need to read the Statistical Probability. I've heard such good things. Great list! Thanks for stopping by mine!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I see we share a few. :) Lovely list. You have many books I still have to read though and summer might just be the right time. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love Percy Jackson! And The Statistical Probability was pretty cool, too! :) Great list :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good list, Percy Jackson is a favorite of mine as well and I think it's a good beach read, also Paper Towns is on my to be read list.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just bought Paper Towns and I'm looking forward to reading it soon. And I ADORED Graffiti Moon.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm hoping to read the Percy Jackson series this summer! Great picks. :)

    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

    ReplyDelete