Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday: Beach Reads


Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's topic is: top ten perfect beach reads.  Here's my list:
1) Anything by Sarah Addison Allen...but if I'm just choosing one, I'll recommend Garden Spells. Southern fiction mixed with magical realism - just wonderful!
2) The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig (and sequels) - fun Regency adventures with a dash of romance!

3) Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See...one of my favorite books of all time!  A story about the bonds of female friendship set in historic China.

4) A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.  Witches, daemons, vampires, wine, and scholarly pursuits - so much fun! 

5) The Rossetti Letter by Christi Phillips - murder mystery/historical fiction with a dash of romance!

6)  For a YA pick...how about the new dystopian novel on the scene - Divergent by Veronica Roth

7) The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton - this book has it all: whimsy, betrayal, romance, and a mystery spanning generations.

8) If you haven't read the Stieg Larsson series yet, I highly suggest you pick these up and get to know spunky heroine Lisbeth Salander (although, the 2nd book can get a bit tedious when detailing specifics of Swedish governance).

9) Cottage by the Sea by C.J. Ware is some fun Cornish historical fiction!

10) For all you fantasy folks out there, I highly recommend taking the chunkster The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss out to the beach with you.  It'll blow your socks (er, your flip-flops) off!
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13 comments:

  1. LucyMay 31, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Great beach choices! I am one of a few that hasn't read the Stieg Larsson series, but I plan to start before the movie.
    I loved Divergent! A Discovery of Witches sounds like a good paranormal. The Lisa See book looks intriguing too. Thanks for the beach recs!

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  2. RonnicaMay 31, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    I look forward to reading Divergent when I can get my hands on a copy from the library!

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  3. Asheley T.May 31, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    LOVE the Stieg Larsson books! And I can't wait to read Divergent...on my TBR list! You have lots of beautiful covers on your top ten this week. ;)

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  4. LoniMay 31, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    I have Larsson on my list too, but I don't know if I'd call Lisbeth spunky.

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  5. AnneMay 31, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    I just finished reading Garden Spells today and I loved it! It is a great summer book. I have not seen The Forgotten Garden before, it looks good too. Adding it to my TBR list.

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  6. AnnMay 31, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Great list. Stieg Larrson's books are on my beach reads as well. I've also just finished reading Kate Morton's latest novel The Distant Hours but haven't read The Forgotten Garden yet. In fact, I haven't read many of your list - but I love the look of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. I might need to find a beach soon!
    Here's my list:
    http://thebookgatherer.blogspot.com/2011/05/top-ten-books-that-should-be-in-your.html

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  7. Kate the Book BuffMay 31, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    My brother in law has been touting The Name of the Wind for a while now. He says its the best book he's read in a looooong time. I've been wanting to check it out but I've been trying to get through my required TBR first

    -Kate the Book Buff
    The Book Buff: Book Reviews for Regular People

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  8. DJLMay 31, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    I have A Discovery of Witches on my TBR list close to the top, so I'm eagerly awaiting it! :) Also, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan has drawn my curiosity though I just haven't taken initiative. Very nice list! Thank you for sharing and visiting. :) Happy reading!

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  9. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Ooh, fantastic list! You might be my new favorite person! :p

    I just recently read and reviewed A Discovery of Witches. One of the best books I've read so far this year, so well-researched and detailed and great.

    I've just recently heard about both Pink Carnation and The Name of the Wind, and they're both on my TBR list. Can't wait to get my hands on them!

    Great list, and happy reading!

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  10. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    Great list. I agree with anything Sarah Addison Allen. Divergent was amazing too!

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  11. Beth(bookaholicmom)June 2, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Great beach read list! I see many that will be going on my summer reading list! The Discovery of Witches has been recommended to me by several people.

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  12. AnonymousJune 2, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    so sweet of you. Just entered. Emma @ Words And Peace, following you with RSS on My Google Reader

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  13. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaJune 3, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    I still need to read the Steig Larrsen series. I own the books, but haven't read them.....sighhhh

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