Top Ten Beach Reads

I personally don't like reading at the beach.  Too windy, too many distractions, and often too cold.  But I'll attempt to ignore those irritations for now and just give you a list of a variety of favorites that happen to have what I consider the necessary qualities of a beach read:  entertaining (high interest level), quick (lively writing style), and smart (mentally engaging).

1. Something Current:  Miss Entropia and the Adam Bomb by George Rabasa

A tale of dysfunction, mental illness, and purpose of life, all told in a remarkably funny and lighthearted manner.  From the lovely Unbridled Books.

2. Something Modern Classic: Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Check this off your list: a bizarrely historical and science-fiction-y book that jumps around as much as the beach volleyball team.

3. Something Fantasy: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

A quick trip into the fantastic, Stardust is never short on action.  Creativity and humor abound in this finely imagined tale.

4. Something Vintage Classic: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winnifred Watson

 Whether you are up for a romp through London's social scene in the 1930s or just want a little Cinderella daydreaming, this delightful book fits the bill.

5. Something Western: True Grit by Charles Portis

More in the mood for a quirky western?  Look no further than True Grit.  Its fairly simple story is told with such a unique voice that it may be a struggle to refrain from reading out loud.

6. Something Young Adult: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Showcasing some of the best attributes of YA (honesty, growth, humor) this book will have you laughing, but may have you crying as well.  And you just may learn something in the process.

7. Something Sweet and Southern: Looking For Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore

Looking for proof that all the oddball irritations in life can turn into something worthwhile?  Look no further than the Dairy Queen.

8. Something Mystery: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Fun in that classic mystery suspense sort of way, this book will keep you turning pages.

9. Something Classic: Lois the Witch by Elizabeth Gaskell

There's no reason why the beach must stand in the way of your classic literature goals and desires, especially with a trim piece of historical interest such as this.  A tale of the Salem Witch Trials by the author of North and South, Wives and Daughters, Cranford and others.

10. Something Linguistically Clever: Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

Finally, if you tend towards wanting something witty and love word plays, this might be just the thing.  A fable told in a series of letters, it's a delightful way to pass the time.

(Thanks to The Broke and the Bookish for hosting Top Ten Tuesday!)

How to Be Good by Nick Hornby

I came into this book knowing that it seems to be one of those "love it or hate it" books for Nick Hornby fans, and as it was only the second novel of his I'd read, I was a bit worried.  I actually skipped over it at the book store many times for this reason.  In a happy turn of events, however, I ended up loving it.  The narrator is a girl--which is always a little strange coming from a male author, but it worked for me.

I can see why some people aren't thrilled with this book.  In many ways it is an oddball, so if you head in thinking you'll be meeting another version of High Fidelity, you'll be in for a surprise (although High Fidelity does have a cameo appearance in this book, which was also surprising).  While there is plenty of humor, it is a quieter, more introspective flavor of humor.  And honestly?  The subject matter does venture into the land of the ridiculous at points, so if you have a difficult time finding relevance in the bizarre, this book may be a stretch for you.

Mostly, I just liked what this book said about marriage and long-term relationships.  When I got married (at an unbelievably young age) I had quite a few friends and family that had very outspoken opinions about the fact that at [barely] 18, I couldn't possibly know who I was or what I wanted out of life...and certainly not enough to make a huge life decision such as marriage.  And they were right: people do go through massive changes in their twenties, and may come out as completely different people than they used to be...perhaps as someone you may not even like.  But you know what?  Those changes keep happening throughout life, and if you aren't ready to change and roll with the punches, then it won't matter what age you are when you deal with them.

The couple in How to Be Good is dealing with exactly that issue: when you've each changed, when you aren't even sure you like each other, how (and why) do you make things work?  Some of the situations they are dealing with are not your normal problems, but by stretching normality into an extremely silly shape, it is easier to see the big picture.  Nick Hornby did a great job at talking about deep things in a fairly lighthearted manner, and succeeded in making me want to go out for a curry the entire time I read it.  Mmm...curry.

My favorite quote (from page 138):
It seems to me now that the plain state of being human is dramatic enough for anyone; you don't need to be a heroin addict or a performance poet to experience extremity.  You just have to love someone.

Title: How to Be Good
Author: Nick Hornby
Pages: 320
Published: 2002 Riverhead Trade (orig. 2001)
My Rating: 4.5

The Reading Life

The last few months have been laced with craziness for me, so I have subsequently found my reading comfort in smaller, quicker books.  A couple of months back I put the classics on the sidelines, and since then have read more regular old Adult Fiction than I have in a very long time.  A lot of that is changing now, however, as work is becoming less stressful and school is nearing completion.  Books that would have seemed refreshing last month are tiring this month.  I think I've actually read too many books this month.  Shocker.  

So I've decided it is a good time to slow down on the speedy books and allow myself some slower reads--something I like to transition into for the summer months anyhow.  Summer break gives me the mental space to be able to put more thought into what I'm reading, as well as spend a bit more time with it.  Here are the books that have been floating around my house lately:

Currently Reading:

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Pulitzer Prize winner that I've been meaning to read for quite a while.  I'm about halfway through, and it is much quieter than I expected.  Still, it continues to pull me in.

Recently Finished:

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

Didn't enjoy it as much as I was hoping to.  I just couldn't seem to bring myself to care about the characters.  I think I may be biased against books set in the present day.  :(

That Night by Alice McDermott

An alternate book club selection--some beautiful language/thoughts, but the plot felt somewhat incomplete.

Next Up:

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

At least this is what my mood is aiming for at the moment...looks good, doesn't it?

The Stolen Village, Baltimore and the Barbary Pirates by Des Ekin

...and maybe this one too--I'm about ready for another NonFiction book, and this one is about Ireland. I can read it and dream of going back. :)

All Right. I'll admit it.

I, too, wish I were at BEA.  I also wish that I had the time to join in Armchair BEA, but my brain just isn't there this week.  I've got the end-of-the-school-year-scatterbrain.  Maybe next year I'll be able to go (to either NYC itself, or if all else fails, my comfy armchair). Or maybe I'll have to keep saying "Maybe next year" until I'm no longer plagued with end-of-the-school-year syndrome (one of those things that seems as if there is no end in sight).

Speaking of fabulous new books and bookish events, I have 2 exciting bits of news about the Indie Lit Awards!

1. You no longer have to be a book blogger to nominate a book once nominations open up!  So let all of your book-loving acquaintances know that 2011 their opinion matters.  Also, nominations will be private this year, so no peer pressure worries.  (and some clarification:  to be part of the running/judging of the awards, you still must be a book blogger...the only thing that has opened up is the nominations.)
2. If you are a book blogger, you can now put your name on a list to be considered to receive free books from publishers.  Go to the ILA website, select your preferred genre, and look for the linky @ the bottom of the page.

For more detailed posts on the above items, check out Wallace's announcement and Ti's announcement.  If you are in the dark about newly published books, check out this list to get you going!