Uninterrupted reading time is one of the great pleasures of a vacation at Sandbridge Beach. Whether you're reading on a balcony, on the beach, in the hammock or listening to an audiobook on the way down, an inspirational, entertaining, or engaging page-turner is a must-have. Finding a good book can be overwhelming, so finding a suggested-reading list can help you narrow down your choices. Here are 10 great beach reads from recent New York Times Best Seller selections:
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
This is a memoir of four siblings who have to learn to take care of themselves and each other as their artistic, nomadic parents sink deeper into their own personal struggles. An uplifting story about the power of the human spirit to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds — you may have to remind yourself a few times that this is a true story.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson's television specials on the mysteries of time and space make mind-bending concepts fun. Funny and succinct, he knows how to engage an audience. His new book addresses everything you want to know about how the universe works, from black holes to the search for life on other planets. Read it cover to cover or dip into chapters at random. This family-friendly book will give you plenty of things to talk about over dinner or on a long drive.
The Whistler by John Grisham
What happens when a Native American tribe suddenly becomes affluent? Everyone wants a piece of the pie, including the Mafia. This legal thriller has an interesting setting in a gaming casino on a reservation in Florida, and includes Grisham's usual cast of likable and detestable characters.
Camino Island by John Grisham
Part traditional Grisham, part
Da Vinci Code,
Camino Island is a fascinating look into the world of rare books and the black market for stolen manuscripts. In a departure from Grisham's usual formula, this story will leave you guessing about who's the good guy and who's the bad guy until the very end.
The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams
Two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates — Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama — have endured oppression, violence, and uncertainty most of their lives. Still, they're resolutely joyful. This book is the result of one week the two spent together exploring one question: How can people find joy in the face of life's suffering? If you're dedicating your vacation to dialing down stress, this book is full of practical tools.
Come Sundown by Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts is known for writing page-turners, and
Come Sundown doesn't disappoint. The story takes place at a haven for vacationers: a family ranch in Montana. But not all is as idyllic as it seems. The plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you glued to the pages.
Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber
If you've had enough of psychological thrillers,
Any Dream Will Do is your next book. The story follows a woman forced to start her life again, and this will require a new level of courage and trust. This is a positive, hopeful, sweet story that pairs well with a restful vacation.
Into the Water by Paula Hawkings
Did
Girl on a Train keep you reading late into the night? You'll love
Into the Water. When women start disappearing into the dark waters of a river that runs through town, the search for answers unearths a community's deep secrets. Fair warning: If you start reading this book in bed, don't plan an early morning.
The Black Book by James Patterson and David Ellis
The setting is Chicago, and solving a mystery depends on finding a missing little black book. The problem is, the two detectives assigned to the case aren't the only ones scrambling to locate it first. The desperation grows as one crime turns into a citywide threat. James Patterson's skill at upping the stakes at just the right time makes this novel an engrossing beach read.
It Takes Two by Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott
Who doesn't love HGTV's adorable home-renovating twins Jonathan and Drew Scott? This is a memoir about their childhoods, their years acting and modeling, and how they bought their first house together at the age of 18. Natural entertainers, their writing style is as witty as their television banter. This makes a fascinating audiobook for the drive if you have kids in the car.Whether you take your eReader, download audiobooks, or opt for old-fashioned paper-and-ink novels, an engrossing book is one of the most enjoyable elements of a beach vacation, or the road trip to get there.
