One of my favorite things to do at the beach is read an all-absorbing piece of fiction. Call me old-fashioned, but when I do take a book to the beach, it also has to be a paperback. For me, there is something incredibly soul-satisfying about being able to hold a book in my hands and contort the pages any way I see fit. If you share my enthusiasm in that regard, you might want to check out my list of top five fiction paperbacks to take to the beach this summer. Here it is:
“Calico Joe” by John Grisham
John Grisham is one of my favorite authors, and I love baseball. Therefore, it is only natural that his book “Calico Joe” made my summer reading list. Personally, when I think of Grisham, I think of gritty courtroom and justice system drama. So at first blush, the subject matter seemed to be so unlike him. Then, I remembered his previous book, “Bleachers.” It also had a sports backdrop. In “Calico Joe” the storyline weaves in elements of baseball and centers on a father and son’s relationship. It is currently available for purchase online for less than $13.
“House of Reckoning” by John Saul
Even though John Saul is another one of my favorite authors, I was remiss about reading “The House of Reckoning” when it first came out in 2009. I’ve read all his other books — I just, for whatever reason, seemed to have let that one languish onto the shelf until recently. The book’s main characters are a young woman, her classmate, and an odd art teacher. In my opinion, the story is classic Saul all the way. There is even a creepy old mansion thrown in for good measure. If you haven’t read it yet, you can still pick up a copy online for around $8.
“77 Shadow Street” by Dean Koontz
In my opinion, “77 Shadow Street” by Dean Koontz also makes for a great summer beach read. Of course, I have always been one of his fans. The book also has a lot of the elements that I adore, including complex characters and a house that is as haunted as its occupants. You can grab a copy online for approximately $15.
“The Help” by Kathryn Stockett
“The Help” by Kathryn Stockett made by summer reading list as well. The book’s storyline focuses on a group of maids and their interaction with a college graduate who seeks to tell their story through her writing. The book made the New York Times’ Bestsellers List and may be purchased for roughly $16.
“The Devil Colony” by James Rollins
Personally, I find James Rollins’ books intriguing. As such, his novel “The Devil Colony” is on my beach reading list, too. The storyline opens with a mass of mummified remains and just takes off from there. Those interested can pick up a copy online for $10.
Killeen Gonzalez enjoys summer sports and recreation with her family. She also enjoys reading at the beach.
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