Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Top Ten Tuesday: Easy, Fun Beach Reads

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1. Bridget Jones's Diary be Helen Fielding. This is one of the few books that have ever made me literally Laugh. Out. Loud. It's light, fluffy, easy fun, with bonus Darcy. 

2. Anything by V.C. Andrews. It's the literary equivalent of a deep-fried Mars Bar: as junky as you can get but deliciously bad. 

3. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. After going on a massive post-Twilight vampire book binge, I have well and truly overdosed on the genre and now avoid it more than Edward Cullen avoids sex sunlight. However, Vampire Academy remains one of my favourite YA series and one that I still recommend and occasionally reread. 

4. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. It's Toddler's and Tiaras meets Survivor with an extra helping of awesomeness. It's easy, entertaining and intellingent to boot. 

5. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. This Romeo and Juliet-esque tale (with a happier ending, natch) is completely cheesy but completely fun. 

6. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson. This adorable summer road trip story is so perfect for the beach, I actually took along Matson's follow-up, Second Chance Summer in the hopes that it would be the same (the title also hinted to good beach reading. Alas, it wasn't exactly - but that's a story for another post). 

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. This book is one of my all-time favourites. The romance and humour make it perfect for warm days lazing about on the sand - with the downside that it will totally make you wish you were in Paris instead! 

8. Cargo by Jessica Au. While it's not as light as the others on this list, I had to include Cargo because it always makes me think of the ocean. And not just because of the cover - Au evokes life by the seaside so effectively, it's like you can almost smell and taste the ocean air while reading. Taking it to the beach would create the perfect real-life atmosphere. 

9. Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares. Four girls share magical pants to stay connected during a summer apart. This was my gateway book for YA as an adult, and I'll always have a soft spot for it. 

10. The Princess Bride by William Goldman. It's got everything: "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles." Whether you're sick in bed or sunning yourself on the sand, Goldman's satiric fairy tale is perfect for any situation.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

26 comments:

  1. Love your description of the V.C. Andrews book. I've heard many writers call The Princess Bride a perfect story. Great list. (Your tagline is terrific.)

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  2. I've actually never thought about reading Bridget Jones Diary, but I thought the movie was hilarious. And if it's on your list it must be good. I'll add that to my to read list maybe. My Top Ten Tuesday

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    1. The book is hilarious too - probably better than the movie (as is often the case!)

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  3. Totally there with VA, Anna, and Perfect Chemistry. Awesome list! :D

    Drop by my Top 10?

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  4. V C Andrews is by far the best idea for a beach read I've ever heard! So wrong, and yet SO right :)

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  5. Great list! I haven't read any of them but many are on my to-reads list.lol New Follower!

    Here's My Top Ten

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  6. the only book i have kinda read on this list is Beeauty Queens and it ended up being a DNF for me! I will need to catch up on my reading so i can enjoy the rest of the selection this summer!

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    1. Oh no! I can see that it wouldn't be for everyone but I really enjoyed it.

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  7. We seem o have similar taste because most of your books I have read or are on my list :D I especially love Anna and the french Kiss because its such a good read if you just want a fun story.
    I followed :)
    Here is My TTT

    http://thecozyarmchair.blogspot.com/2012/06/top-ten-tuesday-10-beach-reads.html

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    1. Awesome, thanks Jessica! We have similar taste in avatars too :)

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  8. I really must get my hands on Anna and The French Kiss.

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  9. Perfect Chemistry is a great choice, I completely forgot about it! Anna and the French Kiss, yessss.<3

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    1. I didn't immediately think of it, but then I was looking at my bookshelf and it stuck out.

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  10. Great list! Anna, Perfect Chemistry, and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants all made my list!

    There's a few on your list that I still need to read, so hopefully I'll be able to that this summer!

    Top Ten

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  11. Yay for The Princess Bride, The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, and Beauty Queens (even though I haven't read that one by her yet I love her writing). Great list! +New GFC follower :)
    Here's my Top10 post :)

    -Kimberly @ Turning The Pages

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    1. Thanks Kimberly! BQ is the only Bray I've read, but I keep meaning to change this. It's a great book!

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  12. Yes! Definitely agree with Vampire Academy and The Princess Bride (love love love that book!)

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  13. I have yet to read Anna and the French Kiss. But it's now bumped up to a summer resolution.

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