“Beach reads” are books that are lighthearted, entertaining, pleasurable, and easy to pick up and put down. They are appropriately named as they are ideal for a leisurely day on the beach. Here are tips to find the perfect beach read.
Picture this
The sky is blue, and the warm sun is shining brightly. You are seated at the beach under an umbrella with a refreshing beverage in your hand. You feel the cool ocean breeze and dig your feet into the warm silky sand. You cast your eyes on the moving tide and absorb the sound of rhythmic waves as they softly hit the beach. In the distance, seagulls gleefully use air currents to soar above the sea. It’s nearly a picture-perfect day. But, what’s missing? Perhaps you’re lacking the perfect beach read.
So many options
There’s nothing better than reading a great book on the beach – sand and all! With so many choices out there – and flurries of mixed book reviews – how do you find a decent beach read?
Look for books that:
- Contain a light and breezy plot: A perfect beach read typically features a plot that is not too heavy, intense, depressing or thought-provoking. The whole concept is for readers to kick back, relax, and enjoy a story without needing to exert extreme mental energy. When choosing a beach read, most folks tend to gravitate toward lighthearted fiction material that is based on imagination and creative ideas of the author.
- Are page-turners: A perfect beach read typically captivates readers and makes them want to turn the page to read more. Look for stories with engaging subject matters, intriguing story lines, fascinating settings, and interesting characters. It’s a book that readers will not want to put down because it’s soooo good!
- Make it easy to keep your place: Despite not wanting to put the book down, a perfect beach read is one that can handle interruptions. In other words, it should be easy to pick up and put down without losing your place or feeling confused about the plot. This is especially important for parents and grandparents who are attending to children, or for beachgoers who alternate between relaxation and swimming.
- Are paperbacks: Though not a deal breaker, a perfect beach read is typically lightweight, portable, and affordable. Paperbacks fit that bill. Heavy books, like hard back encyclopedias, are not ideal to bring to the beach. Laptops, iPads, electronic book readers and the like are also typically ill-advised for the beach due to the intensity of the sun, and the potential for damage from exposure to sand, water, or sea air.
- Appeal to you: A perfect beach read is not the same for everyone, so it’s important to focus on personal taste. There are many genres to consider, and people should gravitate towards what interests them the most. Examples of appealing beach read fiction categories include light mysteries & thrillers, historical fiction, fantasies, science fiction, and romance. Stories featuring summer themes are also a great choice. Of course, non-fiction is always an option, with memoirs, travel guides, and history books as wonderful alternatives.
Still feeling overwhelmed? Too many choices?
Here are some useful tools for choosing the best beach read:
- Seek book recommendations from friends/family: One of the best ways to select a book is to tap the minds of friends and family with similar tastes. They are highly likely to make some solid book recommendations and get you excited about reading. Perhaps a friend will kindly lend you a book to read thereby saving you money.
- Check out online resources: Many websites publish curated lists of great summer reads, including Barnes & Noble and Penguin Random House. One may also follow book influencers or bloggers who specialize in beach read recommendations.
- Join a book club. If you truly enjoy a variety of books, genres, and authors, consider joining a book club that focuses on reading a wide array of material. Book clubs also provide public platforms so that members can connect and share thoughts related to reading assigned material. It’s a great way to explore new authors and book themes.
- Visit bookstores: Peruse the shelves of bookstores and search for nonfiction books. Note that some stores offer beach-read sections, which can help narrow down choices. Check out book covers as they can be indicators of mood and theme. Also read the sleeves containing “blurbs” or summaries of the story to see if the plot (the main events in the story) offers appeal. For non-fiction options, gravitate toward subject matters that offer uniqueness and learning opportunities. Not into bookstores? Visit your local library instead or seek out a little free library in your neighborhood. This is a no-cost “take a book and share a book” neighborhood book exchange.
- Stick with familiar authors you enjoy. Writers strive to connect with their audience, and each author does so in a special way. Some authors are poetic or descriptive in bringing stories to life. Others use direct language or character actions to drive content. If you enjoy a particular writing style or storyline delivered by an author, that’s great. In fact, that’s how book series are built.
Summing up how to find the perfect beach read
There’s likely nothing more relaxing than sitting on the beach with a good book in hand. Not only does it maximize pleasure, but reading the right material can help relieve stress. Gravitate toward entertaining yet light topics that capture interest. Choose softback books that are affordable, lightweight, and easy to transport to that perfect spot on the beach. To find the ultimate beach read, tap the brains of your friends and family, read online reviews and book recommendations, join a book club, peruse the shelves of local bookstores, or stick with authors you like best. Reading on the beach boosts entertainment and makes for a memorable time under the sun!
