1. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger -- I read this many years ago around the time when it came out, so I don't remember too much about it other than I read it right in the middle of a series of very serious books and found this one hilarious. And I remember thinking that while I love Meryl Streep, the movie utterly failed to capture what I then found to be the comedic brilliance of this book. Who's to say if I read it again whether I would hold the same high opinion of it, but, there it is.
2. Digging to America by Anne Tyler -- a nice, straightforward story that makes you care about the characters without asking too much of you
3. Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for our Life and Times by James Finn Garner -- I stumbled across this little gem at a thrift store, and let me say, it is surprisingly delightful. Take, for example, the following quote from the opening story, "Little Red Riding Hood":
There once was a young person named Red Riding Hood who lived with her mother on the edge of a large wood. One day her mother asked her to take a basket of fresh fruit and mineral water to her grandmother's house-- not because this was womyn's work, mind you, but because the deed was generous and helped engender a feeling of community. Furthermore, her grandmother was not sick, but rather was in full physical and mental health and was fully capable of taking her of herself as a mature adult.
4. The Hunger Games Trilogy -- an engrossing read that's a lot of fun. In case you missed my review of the series, check it out here.
5. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri -- While there is much to be said about the literary merit of this collection of short stories (indeed, I studied this book in college), they also happen to be entertaining, surprisingly funny, and just the perfect length to read intermittently throughout a day of relaxing on the beach. (My review here)
6. YOU: The Owner's Manual by Dr. Oz -- My husband, before he was my husband, mentioned that he would like to read this book, and as he is not much of a reader, any time he casually mentions ANY book he'd like to read, I automatically buy it for him. Then he usually gives up on it, and I end up reading it. This is one of those cases. Who knew learning stuff about the body could be so much fun? I love the writing style -- casual, funny, and very informative.
7. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl -- an odd choice for a beach read, no doubt, but oddly enough I did read this book while on a beach trip, and while I wouldn't call it "beach reading," I thoroughly enjoyed it and will always associate this book with reading at the beach.
8. Harry Potter -- I would be remiss if I didn't mention this is a favorite ANY time read.
9. Any Roald Dahl book or story -- Short, simple, quirky, strange. Purrrrfect.
10. A British Mystery, such as Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers -- I never was a big mystery fan, but while studying in London, I took a British Mysteries class and gained an appreciation for the genre. While I admittedly have not read another one since, I think this year at the beach perhaps I will pick up another Dorothy Sayers and give it a whirl.
What do YOU like to read on the beach?
