Comments on: Beach Reading Strategy Revisited

By: Emily January

Emily January — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:12:11 +0000

I read Lonesome Dove on our last beach vacation and loved every minute of it. We were in Mexico and the novel covers Texas in the mid 1800s, so it seemed to fit with the tours we took and some of the facts we learned about the Mexican-American war.

By: Hillary

Hillary — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:16:31 +0000

Love this. It’s so true. I used to bring my homework on vacation. Archaeology turned the beach into a crying baby, biology turned it into a blaring alarm, and philosophy turned it into a bad argument. Books are like people, some demand more attention than others and just don’t mix in with certain crowds.

I’m sorry you had to encounter this tragedy! I know I have learned this so many times myself. Efficiency with goals is not always the best choice when on vacation… especially the beach. I recommend a nice popular read or a collection of shirt stories that releases you between chapters to take a walk and enjoy their content rather than attempt to make sense of it and/or avoid it.

By: onejackdaw

onejackdaw — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:06:17 +0000

I was in high school when I read Anna Karenina on a rained out 4 week camping trip with my parents while seeking refuge in the front seat of our car. It was far from anywhere and there were no distractions. These days I prefer one of Connelly’s thrillers, like The Lincoln Lawyer which I can finish in a day or so.

By: MutantSupermodel

MutantSupermodel — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:20:12 +0000

I wish I could answer this properly but I can’t. I rarely read on vacation especially with kids. I just love to take in the sights too much. When I’m poolside, that’s a different story though. I can read anything. I’m just lounging anyways.

By: Melissa @ Swamp of Boredom

Melissa @ Swamp of Boredom — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:40:41 +0000

I think re-reading an old favorite is always a good call for a beach read. That way you can leave the book to do other things or visit with the people you are with. Unless you are with someone who is as avid a reader as you are (and since your wife read 4 books I guess you are!) then they will inevitably want you to interact with them in some way, either through conversation or activities. A book that you can’t put down, while always a joy to read, will make you frustrated with your companions because they are taking you away!

By: mattjank

mattjank — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:04:19 +0000

I agree with a majority of the comments posted. When I’ve on vacation, that is my time to relax, to escape from all demands in their various forms. Generally, a light mystery like Agatha Christie is perfect for the beach. And someone had mentioned that they liked reading books set at the beach while they’re reading on the beach. That, if I remember correctly, is why Patterson’s novel, Swimsuit, came out just before the summer months (although I never was a big fan of his).

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:05:13 +0000

I can get into that problem too. Crowded beaches cause it. The less crowded the beach, the better. The ocean is like white noise.

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:04:21 +0000

Which was heavier: War and Peace or your beach chair?

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:02:14 +0000

I’m with you, though Mike disagrees. As you see above, he read War and Peace on the beach. Wow.

By: Parker Kelly

Parker Kelly — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:40:26 +0000

I will sometimes take along an old worn favorite that I have laid aside long enough to feel like I’m slipping into my favorite jeans and enjoying the re-discovery of why this is “favorite” for me.