Fourth Annual "So You're Going to Be Reading By the Water, Eh?" List

[once upon a time I went places that required flying]

I took last year off, but I'm back with some "beach" reads. "Beach," of course, is a metaphor for "I'm mentally and or physically taking a break and need something lighter than normal." Whether you have your toes in the sand, an air-conditioned room, or in your normal uncomfortable work shoes, here are some books that will help you lighten your load. The sun makes it too hot to think (as does the fourth margarita you're chugging- don't deny it, I see you over there flirting with the bartender).

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
While a tad predictable (what mystery isn't, though, right?), still interesting and entertaining. 

Delancey by Molly Wizenberg
This memoir about a couple that starts a restaurant might motivate you to tackle some of your own projects.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
All the talk about snow will cool you down, while the magical realism and charmingly simplistic prose will keep you reading. 

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
You know you're going to at least order the sequel, if not read it. Time to brush up!

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
Everyone should read a Hornby, and this one is one of his best. Plus who doesn't like some good tunes during the summer?

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munro
Short stories are great for quick stretches between cannonballs off the diving board... or during your lunch break in the cubicle.  

And, for fun, here are a few easier reads that'll be in my metaphorical beach bag this summer:

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee- I'm a bit nervous about this one, considering the circumstances and the hype. 

A Thousand Hills to Heaven: Love, Hope, and a Restaurant in Rwanda by Josh Ruxin- I just ordered a few restaurant memoirs and this is one I'm definitely looking forward to. 

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson- Might as well once and for awhile get the series over with (after starting the first one years and years ago). 

An Innocent Abroad by the Lonely Planet- Since I'm not going to be doing much traveling my self I might as well live vicariously through others!

*This post is also be used for The Broke and the Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday. 





16 comments:

  1. Great choices. I'm especially happy to see Delancey on your list. I loved that book and found it so easy to sink into Wizenberg's experience. I have her other book, A Homemade Life, waiting for me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay for Alice Munro! And I've been meaning to read Nick Hornby's books for years, I don't think I've read any to date :3 Glad to know The Snow Child is a great read, I've seen it so many times on other people's lists but I have yet to read it myself xD

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Girl on the Train is on my list as well. I've been hearing such good things. And Alice Munro is my favorite! I hope you enjoy her stories as much as I have. That was actually the first Munro collection I ever read.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm a little nervous about Go Set a Watchman as well, Mockingbird is so beloved and special, I don't know how the sequel will live up to it. Plus the publication seemed to happen so fast, I don't know. I'm hoping for the best, but we will see. I had lots of travel books on my list- as I'm not doing any major traveling this summer either!
    Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday

    ReplyDelete
  5. I read To Kill a Mockingbird years and years ago when they forced me to in school. I feel like I need to reread it at some point just to see if I really do like it or not... Great list!

    Here are my Top Ten!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm nervous about Go Set A Watchman too. I loved To Kill A Mockingbird. I hope you enjoy all of these books! My TTT

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great list - majority of these are on my TBR list. I'm especially dying to read The Snow Child, I just love magical realism :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great picks here! I'm still yet to read The Girl on The Train and High Fidelity :-) I'm a new follower too so hiya Christine! :-) Here's my TTT if you would like to check it out! Have a great day :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love your choices. I absolutely adored The Snow Child! I haven't come across a couple of the others before but they sound intriguing and are heading straight onto my to read pile!
    My TTT

    ReplyDelete
  10. While I've heard good things about The Girl On The Train, I'm not sure I would actually find it interesting.
    Here's my list: The Book Bundle

    ~Ailsa

    ReplyDelete
  11. I read To Kill a Mocking bird every year before going to the reenactmant in Harper Lee's hometown. I should have added Girl On a Train to my list. I bought a copy when it came out and still have to read it. Great list full of variety. Happy reading.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have some Nick Hornby books but still haven't gotten around to reading any of them! I love the movie version of About a Boy, so that one is the one on top of my pile by him. I hope you enjoy your summer books! Great list :)

    Here's my Top Ten!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I need to retread Kill A Mockingbird before I get to Watchman although I think right now I am more interested because of Harper's story.
    My list at http://runwright.net/2015/05/27/5-qualities-that-make-a-good-beach-read/

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm leaving for another long weekend this evening and thinking of taking Girl on the train as my only wknd read. Good idea or nah?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, it's the weekend. But I think it's a good, quick, travel read. You might finish it before the weekend is up, though!

      Delete
  15. I just picket up The Girl on the Train from the library. Planning on taking it to the park to read.

    ReplyDelete

BLOG DESIGN BY DESIGNER BLOGS