“Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity.”
~G.K. Chesterton
Is there anything better than reading books on the beach? In my opinion, no. It’s my favorite. Not surprisingly, I have some suggestions for you ;-).
{My caveat to you: You’ll find that most often, the books that find their way to my blog posts are not the latest, newest, hot-off-the-press choices. I like books that have been tested and have survived. I like old books, classics and books that earn their way to my bedside table to be read again and again. And, if I choose to list a new book, the choice is deliberate and generally means that I trust the author that has written it.}
So, without further ado, here’s my selection of beach reads for your summer respite:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows ~ A World War II read highlighting the German occupation of the Island of Guernsey, the story is told completely through letters. It’s wonderful. Netflix made it a movie, but the book is better and worth a read.
The Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman Trilogy by Pamela Aidan ~ If you love Pride and Prejudice, you’ll LOVE these. This is Pride and Prejudice told from Darcy’s perspective (the first book ends in the middle of the Pride and Prejudice story, so you’ll have to read all three to get the whole story ;-)). I’ve read many spin-offs and this series is HANDS DOWN the best of them all.
Here Burns My Candle & Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs ~ This duo is set in the highlands of Scotland in 1745 during the Jacobite Rebellion. Together, they are also a re-telling of the Biblical story of Ruth. They are fantastic and they must be read together. The first one ends on a cliffhanger.
The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera ~ I’m looking forward to sitting with this book a second time. If you like Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott and Mr. Darcy then I think you’ll like this. However, it’s not just a sweet romantic tale. It’s a story of friendship and hospitality and a community able to love deeply, live vibrantly and have fireside debates with kindness and civility. Loved it.
Lizzie & Jane by Katherine Reay ~ Two estranged sisters reconnect as one is going through cancer treatment. I avoided it for awhile because I thought it would be too tragic, but I loved it. While the book does not avoid all sadness, it’s still a very uplifting read. It’s a story of sisterhood and new beginnings and food…lots of food.
The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay ~ This is the only new book on this list. It was just released in the last month or so. I finished it in a day. It’s a story of forgiveness, new beginnings, grief, regrets and hope. I’m drawn toward books about bookshops, but quite frankly, I’m usually disappointed. I wasn’t with this one. I think it’s her best since Dear Mr. Knightley and Lizzy & Jane. (Contemporary Fiction)
Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster ~ This is my “old book” choice for this list as it was published in 1912. Judy Abbott is a delightful heroine; she tells the story through letters and drawings sent to her anonymous benefactor who is sending her to college. (And because of the drawings, I only recommend buying the book in print.) The story is charming and if you like Katherine Reay (which I obviously do), she wrote an entire novel taking this story and setting it in modern day Chicago; Dear Mr. Knightley is one of my absolute favorite books.
Beauty by Robin McKinley ~ This lovely book is a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. It’s not a cutesy children’s version; it is definitely for teens to adults (that does not mean that it has explicit or trashy content, just that it is worthy of an adult’s time.) It’s beautifully written and perfect for an escape into a story.
Canary Island Song by Robin Jones Gunn ~ Carolyn, a widow and new empy-nester travels to the Canary Islands to visit her mother. The plot is ordinary sounding, but the content is rich. Robin Jones Gunn has always had the ability to step into the ordinary and with her words, reach into the hearts of the readers. It’s a story of hope and a fresh start, processing grief and stepping toward a God who holds it all together. (Contemporary, Faith Fiction)
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles ~ This recommendation is on behalf of my husband who LOVED this book. If you need a read for your husband, brother, dad etc., hand them this one. I’ve not met one person who didn’t love this book when they read it and my husband, neighbor, brother, and step-dad all place it at the top of their favorite reads, or at least in the top tier. (Historical Fiction)
To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings by John O’ Donohue ~ I’ve grown into a deep love for poetry over the last several years. This edition has been sweet for my weary soul.
AND, two non-fiction choices…
The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P Freeman & Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Peace by Christie Purifoy ~ If you’re looking for a re-set, I’d grab one or both of these non-fiction reads. They are worth savoring.
Happy summer reading in whatever space you can find some quiet ;-).