Beach Reads: Announcing the June Tag

[NancyJ]

Good job Anna!

[NancyJ]

Beach reads? Yea or Nay?
If nay, do you strongly recommend I read it now anyway?

Library checkouts or holds - I need to read now or return

Florence Adler Swims Forever
Remarkable Creatures
Behind the Scenes at the Museum
The Henna Artist
A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain
The Alice Network
The Tsar of Love and Techno (leftover from last month)
A Gentleman in Moscow
The Samurai's Garden


I checked out, or have holds on these books, and I need to read them soon, or let them go. Two have been on my tbr forever. If you read any of these books, please share your opinion. Many of them have beach read tags, but opinions mean more. (For instance Gone Girl has lots of beach tags, but it's not for me.)

For me a beach read is a book that is:
Relatively easy to read. (Or if it's literary, it's short)
With a satisfying or feel good ending - Found family, love, growth/redemption, healing/hope, friends
Engrossing, relaxing, romantic, funny, or thrilling
Characters I'll want to spend time with, or that inspire me
Exotic or colorful locales are a huge plus for me

[Holly R W]

Nancy, I loved Florence Adler Swims Forever when I read it. It's not a typical beach read, but it does take place in Atlantic City right by the ocean. If you're interested, here is my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joanne]

The Alice Network yes

[Booknblues]

NancyJ wrote: "Beach reads? Yea or Nay?
If nay, do you strongly recommend I read it now anyway?

Library checkouts or holds - I need to read now or return

Florence Adler Swims Forever
[book:Re..."

I've read
Remarkable Creatures - takes place by the sea, very good-engrossing
The Alice Network - engrossing
The Tsar of Love and Techno (leftover from last month) - one of my favorites, but I wouldn't describe it as light. I think it is engrossing.
A Gentleman in Moscow - engrossing, uplifting

[NancyJ]

Holly R W wrote: "Nancy, I loved Florence Adler Swims Forever when I read it. It's not a typical beach read, but it does take place in Atlantic City right by the ocean. If you're interested, here is ..."

Thanks Holly. I read the first chapter or two the other day (just before the efile was due) and I really liked the setting and the little girl. So I'll reserve it again.

[NancyJ]

Booknblues wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Beach reads? Yea or Nay?
Remarkable Creatures - takes place by the sea, very good-engrossing
The Alice Network - engrossing
..."

Joanne wrote: "The Alice Network yes"

Thanks, that helps!

[Amy]

Anyone reading Malibu rising this month? Or bookstore on the beach? Eventually I’m getting to both. Just thought I would put that out.

[Jen K]

Amy wrote: "Anyone reading Malibu rising this month? Or bookstore on the beach? Eventually I’m getting to both. Just thought I would put that out."

Yes! I just borrowed Malibu Rising but won't start until next week.

[Lyn]

NancyJ wrote: "Beach reads? Yea or Nay?
If nay, do you strongly recommend I read it now anyway?

Library checkouts or holds - I need to read now or return

Florence Adler Swims Forever
Re..."</i>

I enjoyed both [book:Remarkable Creatures and The Alice Network
They are very different from each other, but both feature really interesting women. Remarkable Creatures is a bit lighter than The Alice Network.

[LibraryCin]

NancyJ wrote: "Remarkable Creatures..."

I was going to say yea for this one. Lots of it happens on a beach, anyway.

But nay for "The Alice Network"... but I'm not remembering it as well. (And I see someone else already says yea.) ETA: I just don't remember what this one has to do with a beach, but maybe it fits your criteria or maybe I'm just not remembering!

[Amy]

Jen K!!!!!!

[NancyJ]

Amy, I plan to read Malibu Rising, but I'm not sure when. I'm hoping to get a library copy but the list is very long.

I already have People We Meet on Vacation and The Songbook of Benny Lament, so I'll read them first.

[NancyJ]

Thanks Lyn and Cindy. I think Alice Network earned the tags because it was a very popular summer release (in 2017). I've had it on my tbr all this time, and still haven't gotten around to it. I might wait for a history or espionage tag if I can't fit it in this month.

[Robin P]

NancyJ wrote: "Thanks Lyn and Cindy. I think Alice Network earned the tags because it was a very popular summer release (in 2017). I've had it on my tbr all this time, and still haven't gotten around to it. I mig..."

To me, nothing with Nazis can be a beach read!

[Jen K]

@ Amy and NancyJ

I just downloaded Malibu Rising and it looks to have all 4 Pursue It words as an added bonus

Think others were interested as well? We could do a Buddy Read?

[Amy]

I kind of think there was more than just us three. I think I Anita was interested. David P just reviewed it yesterday.

[Kimber]

Amy wrote: "I kind of think there was more than just us three. I think I Anita was interested. David P just reviewed it yesterday."

I have an e-copy of Malibu Rising on hold at the library and there is a 6 week estimated wait -- but I was just notified I can "skip the line" and borrow it for a shortened loan period of 7 days! So I borrowed it but have no idea if I will be able to finish it in 7 days. I guess we'll see!

[Amy]

I will open up the Buddy read. How is that?

[LibraryCin]

NancyJ wrote: "Thanks Lyn and Cindy. I think Alice Network earned the tags because it was a very popular summer release (in 2017). I've had it on my tbr all this time, and still haven't gotten around to it. I mig..."

Ooooh, ok, that makes sense now. Thank you for clarifying why it might have been a "beach read"!

[NancyJ]

LibraryCin wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Thanks Lyn and Cindy. I think Alice Network earned the tags because it was a very popular summer release (in 2017). I've had it on my tbr all this time, and still haven't gotten arou..."

I'm trying to use some consistent logic when selecting this month's books, because otherwise anything goes. Historically for me, beach reads = new releases. But I also like Robin's rule "no nazis on the beach."

For years I always started my summer with either the new book by Charlaine Harris (vampires/funny) or Jeffrey Archer (British thrillers or historical fiction). They gave my brain a needed relief after grading final (essay) exams. When I look at the beach reads list, I think 'summer hit' was the criteria for many other people too.

I was going to wait on Klara and the Sun because the author's last book was depressing, but this one sounds wonderful so far. If this book has Nazi's or torture, someone please let me know asap!

[NancyJ]

Amy wrote: "I will open up the Buddy read. How is that?"

Sure! If I can't get a library copy in a couple weeks, I'll buy it.

[Robin P]

Klara and the Sun doesn't have any Nazis or torture (I can't read about torture either!) It takes place in a modern society that has some dystopian elements but it is really about the power of love.

[Anita]

I just got Malibu Rising from my library so I would definitely be up for it!

[Sue]

NancyJ wrote: "Historically for me, beach reads = new releases."

Me too Nancy! I'm using this tag as my "excuse" to read some brand new releases. In the past before Good Reads and Play Book Tag grew my TBR to gigantic proportions, a trip to the bookstore to stock up for vacation was a highlight. It was fun to recapture that fun with my Beach Reads.

I'm half way through the newest John Grisham book Sooley. Not a courtroom drama, but a real page-turner about a teenager from South Sudan with a once in a lifetime opportunity to play basketball in the US.

I've also got the latest releases from Jennifer Weiner (That Summer) and Joshilyn Jackson (Mother May I).

And the completely ridiculous The Guncle by Steven Rowley. This is the first of his books I'm reading, and so far it's been a light and silly read. I've been listening to the audio on my vacation and it's been perfect.

[John]

I'm reading Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson, which was one of the books on the Beach Reads books. I could be wrong but I doubt that I will discover sunburn, sandcastle or beach in this book for the Pursue challenge. Hopefully, surfing will be if the protagonist searches the Internet for clues about her past.

[Booknblues]

If anyone hasn't found their beach read for the month, here is a list of ebooks on sale today, many of which will fit the tag:

https://offtheshelf.com/2021/06/june-...

[NancyJ]

Re Malibu Rising

Amy wrote: "I will open up the Buddy read. How is that?"

Perfect! I got Malibu Rising earlier than expected and I started it today. Jen and Anita also have it. Anyone else?

[Jen K]

NancyJ wrote: "Re Malibu Rising

Amy wrote: "I will open up the Buddy read. How is that?"

Perfect! I got Malibu Rising earlier than expected and I started it today. Jen and Anita also have it. A..."

I'm starting tonight!

[annapi]

I'm halfway through the Malibu Rising...have to say I'm not as engaged in this as I was with Daisy Jones...

[NancyJ]

annapi wrote: "I'm halfway through the Malibu Rising...have to say I'm not as engaged in this as I was with Daisy Jones..."

Are you listening or reading?

The Daisy Jones audio was really special, with several different actors narrating the characters. This audio only has one performer, but it's Julia Whelan, who is excellent.

This would definitely have fit the Family Drama tag.

[Jen K]

I started the Buddy Read in the Footnotes folder. Interested to see everyone's thoughts.

[annapi]

NancyJ wrote: "annapi wrote: "I'm halfway through the Malibu Rising...have to say I'm not as engaged in this as I was with Daisy Jones..."

Are you listening or reading?

The Daisy Jones audio was really special..."

Reading. It's getting more interesting now, with things happening at the party. But I still don't think I care about the characters the way I did about Daisy Jones.

[Nicole R]

Not sure if I will get to Malibu arising this month (though I want to!!) but I am worried about it just not living up to Daisy Jones.

But, julia Whelan is my favorite narrator, so that will help for sure!!

[Book Concierge]

annapi wrote: "Thank you! This month the vote was evenly split, so I will post the other banner in the second half of the month."

I can see why you had a hard time choosing the banner this month ... but I do miss those reading beach babes!

[Theresa]

Just want Anna to kniw how much I enjoy this banner too. It instantly soothes and calms me!