Life's a Beach

Life's a Beach

• Jun 12, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/Top Ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists!

This week's topic is "Top Ten Books I'd Recommend as Good Beach Reads." I'm doing that topic, but I thought I'd add a little extra personality to it. Instead of just giving you some great beach reads, I've sorted them based on what you might be looking for in your beach read and added some extra loot to complete the "look." Hope you enjoy!

I Want a Beach Read

So, you want some romance in your beach reads. I've got two options for you. The first, Once Upon a Time: Behind the Fairy Tale of Princess Grace and Prince Rainer, is the story of one of the world's most fascinating royal families. Grace Kelly, gorgeous movie star, married the Prince of Monaco and forever gave up her life as a starlet. Long before Kate Middleton, she lived every little girl's dream. This book is fascinating. Despite the troubles they faced, you see their love for one another grow.

The First Husband is an easy, breezy read. This fictional story of a woman who jumps into marriage following a bad breakup was such a fun read. It's the perfect book to toss in your preppy beach bag. If you're anything like me, you'll fall a little bit in love along the way.

find that loot: hat / sunscreen / lip balm / bag 

The book Unbroken was unlike anything I'd ever read before. It was so engrossing that I hated going to work because I just wanted to keep reading. It's the true story of a WWII fighter pilot who is shot down over the Pacific Ocean. What happens next is true and heartbreaking... and will have you hooked. It's not your normal summer read, but I promise it'd be the perfect book for the beach.

I first read The Poisonwood Bible in high school, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story of this missionary family in Africa is one of the best uses of multiple narrators. If you want to experience not only a different time but another continent, this is a book you don't want to miss.

find that loot: stereo / sunglasses / hair ties / bag 

The only downside to read Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? on the beach? You'll probably laugh out loud, which might be a little embarrassing. But it's so worth it. These essays on everything from what it means to be a friend to why boys take so long to put on shoes make for a fabulous read. And, you know, I want to be best friends with Mindy Kaling now. There's that, too...

I loved Stay, which is the story of a girl who orders a dog from the Internet after drinking a little too much and watching her best friend marry the man she secretly loves. The puppy's arrival, and her realization that he isn't exactly the puppy she imagined, had me laughing out loud. It's just a good read, period, but you'll enjoy it even more if you're a dog lover.

find that loot: hat / bag / surf spray / coverup 

Do you need your beach book with lots of sweeping action? Love a good family saga? Then pick up The Tea Rose. It's a big fat book, but you'll fly through it as you soak up the sun and sip on an ice cold drink. It's the first in a trilogy, so you've always got two more books to turn to if you get done before vacation ends.

I can't think of a more dramatic biography than The Diana Chronicles. While I knew some about Princess Diana, I realized recently that I wasn't as familiar with her life as I originally thought. When I was reading this book, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Diana's life read like the plot of a TV show! A semi-commoner marrying a prince, adultery, eating disorders, deadly car crash... She was one interesting woman, and this book needs to be tossed your beach bag!

find that loot: bag / hair ties / sunglasses / coverup 

I actually just finished re-reading Anne of Green Gables, and I loved it just as much as I did when I read it the first time (even though this was like my millionth re-read). Anne's sweet optimism and zest for life will brighten anyone's day, even when the sun is already shining. If you need to visit an old friend, don't forget about Anne!

Little House in the Big Woods is another book that will make you feel nostalgic for your childhood.... assuming, of course, that you loved these as much as I did. I was enchanted with Laura's life and adventures, and I've been craving a trip down memory lane. Even better? You can be reminded of your appreciation for modern conveniences while enjoying the great outdoors. 

find that loot: sunglasses / bag / iPhone case / coverup