If You Want To Get Lost in the Past:
A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams- This is my absolute favorite adult beach read of 2013. I loved the time period, the drama, and the beach community. This one is highly recommended.
The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig- Fans of historical fiction will love this family saga that spans many years and deals with family secrets.
A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn- This historical read has everything that a beach read should have: a gorgeous setting, a feisty heroine, a sexy love interest and some mystery, too!
If You Are A Fan of Young Adult Literature and Want Some Love In Your Life:Dare You To by Katie McGarry - This novel is the sequel to Pushing the Limits, but be read as a stand-alone. It's possesses the perfect opposites attract type of relationship that many of us crave in a good beach read.
If You are a Fan of Young Adult Literature and Want Something "Smart":Golden by Jessi Kirby- This novel is one of my favorite books of the year. The focus isn't on romance (for once!), but instead this coming-of-age tale deals with self-discovery. Plus, there's some Robert Frost!
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen- This novel doesn't focus too much on love, but rather the main character's place in the world and that one important summer where you find yourself at crossroads.
If You Want to be Swept Away:
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter- I know this novel was popular last summer, but the paperback just came out. It would be perfect to bring along to the beach or pool this year, especially if you are looking for a smart read. Did I mention part of it takes place on the coast of Italy?All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue- This novel is one of my favorite 2013 beach reads of the year. It's about three girlfriends, deep-rooted secrets, and it takes place in Avalon, my favorite beach town. The descriptions of Avalon are perfect and I felt like I was there.
On the Island by Tracy Garvis-Graves- I know this novel was popular last year, but for some reason I never got around to it. Boy, am I glad I did this year and I highly recommend it. It deals with being stranded on an island and a whirlwind romance, which equates to beach read perfection.
And even though my "Summer Kickoff" feature is over, the fun doesn't end! You can plan on me reviewing the following beach reads this summer, plus a few other novels I've been meaning to read. If you want to learn more about these books, click the title and it will take you to its Goodreads page.
My 2013 Summer Reading List:
1. Five Summers by Uma LaMarche - This one takes place at summer camp. Need I say more?
2. True by Erin McCarthy- A "new adult" romance? Sign me up!
3. The Rose Throne by Mette Ivie Harrison - I could use a good fantasy as I don't read many during the summertime.
4. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I've heard so many good things about this book and I am finally picking up this surfing story.
5. The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton DiSclafani - This novel has been getting a lot of publicity, so I am excited to see what it's all about.
6. The Lake House by Marci Nault - Sounds like a great beach read!
7. Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand - I read my first Hilderbrand novel last month (shocking, I know!) and I'm hoping this one is just as good.
8. The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines - This seems like great mind candy for the a hot summer day.
9. The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan - I couldn't resist!
10. Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance - I love Pride and Prejudice and am very interested in this adaption.
11. Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck - I adored Hemingway's Girl and can't wait to check out this novel focusing on Zelda Fitzgerald.
12. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers - I have been meaning to read this one for awhile now! Everyone says I will love it since I am a huge historical fiction fan.
13. Tarnish by Katherine Longshore - Gilt was one of my favorite young adult historical reads last year, so when they asked me to be apart of this blog tour, I immediately said yes. I love that this read focuses on Anne Boleyn.
14. The White Princess (Cousins' War #5) by Philippa Gregory - Gregory is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read this fifth installement of the Cousins' War series. It will get me so excited for The White Queen TV show which comes out in August.
15. If I Should Die (Revenants #3) by Amy Plum - I'm scared to see how this series ends, but I've heard good things! I am saving this one to read while on vacation.
16. The Elite (The Selection #2) by Keira Cass - This series is so much fun---perfect for summertime!
17. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler - It seems I can't get enough of Zelda this summer.
So, what do you guys think of my 2013 Picks for Beach Reads and my Summer Reading List? Have you read any of these books? Any books you think I should add? Let me know.
Ooo, it looks like you've got some great books planned for the summer. I really need to read Grave Mercy!! I keep hearing how amazing it is, and how amazing the sequel is, too.
ReplyDeleteI've recently read True (my review is up today) and Spies and Prejudice. I enjoyed them both, but they weren't as amazing as I was hoping for. But perfect for summer, I think. :)
Me too. I am dying to read Grave Mercy this summer. I must make it happen. I will have to check out your review of True! Thanks for visiting, Quinn!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Juju!
DeleteI have heard SUCH great things about Golden - I don't know why I keep overlooking it! I've definitely been looking for some fun summer reads though, and I really appreciate all these great recommendations. Thank you, Christina! :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen such great reviews for Golden - and seeing that you enjoyed it, too, really makes me want to give it a go. I'm always looking for fun new summer reads, so I really appreciated this fantastic list of titles to get me started. Thanks, Christina!
ReplyDelete(PS...if, for some reason, two comments show up, it's because I thought it deleted my first one haha)
Haha. No problem! I hate when that happens. I hope you get to read Golden....it was really good! Thanks for dropping by, Melissa!
DeleteAhh I love this list, thanks for all the suggestions! There are a few on here I'd like to read (Golden and All the Summer Girls), and A Hundred Summers looks good - I hadn't heard of it before, but I do enjoy a 20s/30s setting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kit! I hope you get to read some of them this summer...especially A Hundred Summers. It was fantastic! Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteI love your choices. I adored Golden and enjoyed Nantucket Blue. I have A Hundred Summers and All the Summer Girls, and The Yonahlassee on my Kindle. I can't wait to get into them. I'm really looking forward to Beautiful Day, too. Which Hildebrand did you read? I've read a couple by her, but own three others that I haven't gotten into yet. I've been meaning to read Grave Mercy and The Vincent Boys for forever. Maybe I'll get into them this summer, too. Great list!!
ReplyDelete-Natalie @Natflix&Books
Thanks, Natalie! I read Hilderbrand's The Island and loved it. I want to read more of her work in the future. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteOne of my favorite things about summer is bringing a good book to the beach or pool. Thank you for this massive list! :) It's great that you gave them categories too! If I could recommend a novel to get "lost in the past" with it would be the book "Journey" (book 1 of 3) by author Max Zimmer. The story takes place in the 1960s and follows a young boy, Shake, growing up Mormon in America with an unlikely dream to play jazz trumpet. Shake Tauffler is a kid who responds to bigotry, abuse, repression, hypocrisy, and death with courage, humor, heartbreak, and the utmost sincerity. His rites of passage are vividly familiar and his dream to play jazz shared by most any musician. But his ten-year story of growing up Mormon in America takes us to an altogether different place. Shake struggles to find his own sexual, musical, and moral consciousness with so many obstacles thrown in his path along the way. You will care for him and root for him throughout the novel :) Hope you will have this beach side with you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and for the recommendation!
DeleteI loved Golden and Dare You To and liked Nantucket Blue. I want to read All the Summer Girls. I've been meaning to try Elin Hilderbrand's books too. Right now I am reading my first ever Mary Alice Monroe (The Summer Girls) and will definitely be checking out some of her other books. I also hope to check out Dorothea Benton Frank's Lowcountry books this summer.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your summer reading round-up, Christina! There are so many books on here that I want to read! Golden is one that stands out - I've been hearing a lot of good things about that one recently, so I need to go order myself a copy!
ReplyDeleteSome great suggestions! Thx!
ReplyDeleteI really need to read GOLDEN, it sounds fabulous. And you can never go wrong with a Dessen novel for summer :)
ReplyDeleteGreat picks!