In which I wonder if there is a book that would be considered a good “beach read” and also a good “city read”August 26th, 2008 @ 7:01 am
I finished the last book in the latest round of FluentBrittish’s Super Duper Blogger Book Exchange (SDBBE). I love the SDBBE. I love reading new books. I love getting to know old and new bloggers and I really love reading all of their comments in the books. (Oh yes, we read the books and WRITE OUR COMMENTS IN THE ACTUAL BOOKS!)
I was very sad to see this round of the book club end. Mostly because I was anxious to have a SDBBE book to take with me to Europe. I just thought it would be cool to take a blogger’s book with me to read on the beaches in Spain. Alas, I have no Super Duper Blogger Book Exchange book to take with me.
I mentioned this to Britt last week and she was all, “Would you mind if I picked out a book for you to take on your trip and sent it to you?!” And I was all, “on my goodness, I would love that!”
It was a mere two days later that this book arrived in the mail from Britt:
Along with the book was this note:
I was so excited to start on the book. A little too excited. We don’t leave for another six days and I’m already almost 100 pages into the book. While reading the book on my bus ride in this morning I realized I’m going to have to take a few other books with me on the trip.
Oopsie.
Here’s the problem, I have no idea what books would be the perfect fit for our little trip. We’re spending most of the time on the beaches off the Mediterranean Sea. That makes me think I’ll need a beach read. But we’ll also be spending time in big cities like Berlin, Barcelona and London. Which isn’t so much conducive to a beach read. (Are there books that are considered city reads?)
And, let’s be honest here, Babboo might not allow me a lot of reading time. And while we’re being honest here, The King might also not allow me a lot of reading time. (Dude, he likes to talk to me and crap. What’s that about?)
Thankfully I spent most of yesterday downloading TV shows to my iPod for My Sweet Babboo. Maybe he’ll enjoy some alone time with his friends Tigger & Pooh and allow me to read.
After spending most of the summer looking for the perfect (read: inexpensive) shoe for the trip, I bought them yesterday. I figured the blue would go with both brown and black outfits.
I’m wearing them today. I need to get them broken-in in time for the trip. I’ve only been wearing them for a few hours and already they aren’t the perfect fit. So either that was $20 down the drain or I just need to wear them a little longer.
So tell me, what would your recommendation be for both a beach read and a city read book? Seriously my dear interweb, I need your help.
———————–
Want to read all about my latest New Thing? Yeah, The King and I took Babboo to the local zoo for the first time. We ran into some good friends there. Good times ensued.
Addictions · Vacations
Amber
said,
August 26, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I have no idea what books you have already read, nor do I know much about your taste, but here are some of my favorites.
The Secret Life of Bees
Fruit of the Lemon
Gods in Alabama
Wicked
I would like to read
The Bell Jar
Pillars of the Earth (probably not a good beach read)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
I hope you have a wonderful time on vacation!
Emily
said,
August 26, 2008 at 5:31 pm
For your beach read, I’m gonna recommend “Remember Me?” by Sophie Kinsella (author of the Shopoholic series, if you’re familiar.) Fun, easy read, but long enough you won’t finish it in a few days.
For your city read, “The Glass Castle” (can’t remember who it’s by.) This one is a little more serious (hence, it’s the city read pick) but excellent. It’s an autobiography. Wonderful, really.
RA
said,
August 26, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I don’t really distinguish beach reads from other books because locale is not really a determining factor in how I choose what to read, SO! These books are good reads, but not overly huge to lug around:
Fiction:
- The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
- Life of Pi
Non-fiction:
- Eat Pray Love
- A Walk in the Woods
- The Devil in the White City
anna
said,
August 26, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I enjoyed reading “Water for Elephants” in round two. Did Britt leave in her ultra fancy censorship marks?
Both books by Marissa de los Santos, “Love Walked In” and “Belong to Me” are terrific. I have no idea what makes them beach vs city books. Maybe because I have access to neither? To second Amber, I have been wanting to read “Wicked” and “Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister”.
Britt
said,
August 26, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Have you read May’s SDBBE selection from Round II, A Certain Slant of Light?
It’s about ghosts. They get it on. You’d love it.
I have no idea what constitutes a “beach read” or a “city read.” Thanks for making me think too hard.
Jimmie
said,
August 26, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I just finished She’s Come Undone. Wonderful book, and I can’t believe it took me so long to get around to reading it. Not sure if you’ve read that one or not, but it’s definitely one you can’t put down once you’ve started.
American Girls About Town is another great beach/vacation read. It’s a collection of short stories from some popular authors, and I read it on my last cruise. Definitely fun but not too deep.
Becky
said,
August 26, 2008 at 6:39 pm
When do you leave? do I have time to mail you a book? If I can finish your SDBBE book, I”ll send it & another one for you to take. But I need to know if I have time. I need another day or so on the sdbbe book.
If not, I would second (from the list above)
Secret life of Bees
Love Walked in (Belong to me is the sequel)
Other books I love:
Poisonwood Bible (not light reading, though)
Time Traveler’s Wife (if you can be ok with all the “getting it on” & nudity that occurs)
Garden Spells (light reading, fast paced, pretty clean) just came out in paperback, I think
Thirteenth Tale
River King (Alice Hoffman, my fave by her)
I could go on and on. Let me know if I have time to send one with you or not.
Mandee
said,
August 26, 2008 at 6:40 pm
When I did study abroad 7 years ago, I picked up The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. It then made the rounds through all my friends in the program and we would talk about the girls as if they were our friends. I haven’t read it since, but we all loved it that summer, and it strikes me as a good beach/city bridge book.
Tootie
said,
August 26, 2008 at 6:41 pm
One of my favorite books is “Funny in Farsi.” It’s about a girl from Iran that moves to the US with her family. It made me laugh, and I felt like I could relate to it, even though my family is not from Iran.
By the way, if you’re looking for comfortable walking shoes, I recommend Sketchers! They make some cute shoes in brown and black that look like dress shoes, but feel as comfy as sneakers. I bought a pair for a trip overseas, and I’m still wearing them years later!
madmom
said,
August 26, 2008 at 7:21 pm
books:
Bergdorf Blondes
Eat, Pray, Love
She’s Come Undone
In Her Shoes
enjoy
Marci
said,
August 26, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I loved Water for Elephants… I also reccomend:
* A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (it’s a trilogy… but try the first one first)
* The Scarlet Pimpernel (really- I LOVED it!)
Happy reading… on the beach…. oh so jealous!
Viviane
said,
August 26, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Read The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon while you’re in Barcelona. An amazing book by a Barcelona native which plays in Barcelona. Hard to put down really. And say hello to my temporary home for me. It’ll be two months tomorrow that I moved back to Germany from Barcelona.
And after reading some other comments here, I can definitely recommend Eat Pray Love and The Time Traveler’s Wife as well!
Christar
said,
August 26, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I am going to totally read the book that Britt mentioned above… the one about ghosts who get it on. That’s my kind of book! I love horror and love stories. Sounds awesome to me!
I would recommend the best book/s in the world, but I already recommended them to you… and you already read them.
I really enjoyed the Into the Wild book, but I dunno if that’s a good “beach” or “City” read. And since I really loved the movie and the whole hippie thing, I, of course, loved the book. But it’s not for everyone. Maybe it’s just for us weird, nature~loving, weirdo people.
heels
said,
August 26, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Well, I like books that I don’t have to think about much when I’m on vacation. In that vein, I recommend anything by Terry Prachett or the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Prachett is hilarious and an easy read, and Gabaldon basically writes steamy romances, but they’re not quite as trashy and awful as most. They’re thinly veiled as “Historical Fiction.” Fun stuff.
Have a WONDERFUL time!
Janssen
said,
August 26, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Shannon Hale’s “The Goose Girl” is phenomenal.
Unfortunately, I just read a really really really great book, but it was an advanced copy that someone sent my professor, so it’s not published yet. Yuck.
I also loved The Book Thief.
Liz
said,
August 26, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Aw, looks like I’ll probably miss you in Europe. We’re going to Barcelona too, but not until the end of September.
And I’m saving my copy of Water for Elephants for that trip. Or are you glad you started reading it before your trip?
Monica
said,
August 26, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I’m not sure what makes a book a “beach book” or a “city book” the only one that comes to mind is the traveling pants series for teens. The second is set in Greece and very beachy but also a teen book.
If your just looking for a good read you could try
-The Secret Life of Bees
-The Glass Castle
Oh and the Devil Wears Prada is a very City ish book.
The truth is you are going to be so busy enjoying your family you won’t have time for much reading.
Have a blast, I’m jealous!
Rhi
said,
August 26, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I have a book that would be a good beach read that I just finished - should I send it on up to you?
the wifey
said,
August 27, 2008 at 12:31 am
love those shoes! hopefully they’ll break in a little more before your trip.
as far as books go, i don’t think i’m much help, because i’m currently reading clive cussler and patricia cornwell books… neither of which seem like good beach or city books. you’ll just have to trust all of your other smart blog readers’ opinions =)
Louise
said,
August 27, 2008 at 12:48 am
I started reading the Twilight series because of you… now I’m hooked (even though I kind of hate Bella right now). So, I will ask - have you tried the “Outlander” series by Diana Gabaldon? There are … 7 books so far? And it’s a LOT of book - like at least 400 pages (some of them are 1000).
Also - what the heck have they done to Christopher Robin?!!!!
heidikins
said,
August 27, 2008 at 5:52 am
Since you are splitting time between beaches and cities, and you know you’ll need more than one book, why not take a “beachy” book (or 3) and a “city” book (or 2). That way you won’t get laughed at while you’re reading the autobiography of Nelson Mandella while you’re relaxing on the beach in San Diego…umm, or, ya know, Spain. And you can be all “serious” and “urban” and “sophisticated” in London without dragging around the latest fluffy chick-lit.
(Um, and I’m totally pulling a copy-paste of all these suggestions into a BN search browser, because, um, I just found out I’m spending ALL NEXT WEEK on a beach. In Hawaii. Squee!)
Kim
said,
August 27, 2008 at 5:55 am
Well, I don’t necessarily have a good beach read but the best book I’ve read in the last 5 years was “The Book Thief”. I loved this book. Also, my favorite go to book is “Gone With The Wind”, how can you not like it? Finally, I am reading “The Shadow Of The Wind” which might be intersting if you are visiting Barcelona, it takes place there in the 1950s. It is a beautiful, well written mystery. Have fun, can’t help on the shoes.
Kath
said,
August 27, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Have fun reading on your trip!
Beach read … i’d suggest “Bean Trees” from Barbara Kingsolver (but as Becky said, “Poisonwood Bible” from the same author isn’t light - though a must read for later on) - strong female character, funny kid, hilarious neighbours, whimsical plotline
If you want something historically imagined but not too much, just enough to whet your lips, you might like “Loving Frank” by Nancy Horan - a story about Frank Lloyd Wright’s love affair with Mamah Cheney from the early 1900’s. More of a city read !
HollowSquirrel
said,
August 28, 2008 at 1:01 am
I first read Pillars of the Earth on foreign study in Spain in the early 90s. It was thee perfect setting for the book (ok, well, rural England might have been good, too). But the book is utterly amazing, if you haven’t read it, and close to 1000 pages.
liz
said,
August 28, 2008 at 2:44 am
i LOVED that book. some of the others i’ve read somewhat recently and enjoyed are:
life of pi
snowflower and the secret fan
modoc
kite runner
the curious incident of the dog in the night time
liz
said,
August 28, 2008 at 2:47 am
oooh, one more…
“the history of love”
Amanda
said,
August 28, 2008 at 6:34 am
I just read Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Philips in less than a weekend as it just had me hooked from start to finish. It’s about the Greek Gods living in London, they have little power left and are all squabbling with each other and cause a few disasters (like the sun going out)… I found it really amusing and would suggest it as a good “beach read”.
Not so sure about a “city read” - I guess for me I’d take one of the Russian modern novels like The Master and Margarita or Heart of a Dog by Bulgakov as they are still amusing and draw you in but have a bit more “oomph” to them to make them slightly more intellectual.
sandra
said,
August 28, 2008 at 2:23 pm
my husband and i traveled abroad for a month this summer. while there i was SO GLAD that i had picked up a pair of Teva sandals (from REI and other stores) before we left. they are super cute but also amazingly comfortable. i work them all day most days with lots of walking and my feet never hurt. and they’re pretty cheap!
here’s a link: http://www.teva.com/ProductDetails.aspx?g=w&categoryID=38&productID=6840&model=Olowahu
(sorry i’m lame and don’t know how to embed)
Liza
said,
August 28, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Lots of good recommendations here! I also love love love the Outlanders series, and because Gabaldon writes LONG books, you could probably get by with just the first 1 or 2. Also, all the really steamy scenes are between people who are married, so I can’t imagine you would be troubled by them.
The Time Traveler’s Wife is one of the most creative and unusual stories I can remember reading in the last few years. LOVED IT! I’m not sure I’d call it a “beach” read though — I think it requires some ability to focus.
Liberal Banana
said,
August 28, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Geez, you’ve certainly got enough recommendations now, eh? But I’ll agree with some of the others that Eat, Pray, Love was awesome. If you’re into family life and the environment, I highly recommend anything by my favorite author Barbara Kingsolver. Her book Animal, Vegetable, Mineral is wonderful and will get you interested in eating more local foods and might even make you want to garden! She has a couple books of short essays, too, like High Tide in Tucson and Small Wonder that are really great. Fun for a vacation because you can read the individual stories whenever you have a little bit of down time!
Operation Pink Herring
said,
August 29, 2008 at 1:16 am
Hmmm… the perfect beach and/or city read… perhaps something about vampires? Hott and sexy vampires who spend most of cavorting about in a softcore porn, with the ocassional sidetrip to Eurpose? Yes! That would be perfect. Now, if only such books existed…
Say hi to Barcelona for me.
Operation Pink Herring
said,
August 29, 2008 at 1:27 am
BTW, for those who may not know: “Eurpose” is the little-known reflexive paranormal subjunctive tense of “Europe”, which is only used when you’re referencing the locatin of hott and sexy vampires. I only know this beacuse I have an advanced degree in Young Adult Vampire Porn, so don’t worry if you’ve been using it incorrectly all this time. I forgive you.