Top Ten Beach Reads For Women

Ah, summer's here. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, the weather is gorgeous, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. What's nicer than lying on the beach with a book, soaking up the sun and losing yourself in a good book. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for women. Men can check out the Top Ten Beach Reads For Boys. (Of course, there's nothing stopping men enjoying these choices and vice versa!) Why not tell us about your favourites?

Review of The Beach by Alex Garland General Fiction You really should read this book before you see the film as there's distinctly more to it. An absorbing read which you'll go back to time and time again. Highly recommended. Full Review

Review of The Gypsy Tearoom by Nicky Pellegrino Women's Fiction An enchanting look at the way of life in a small Italian town, brought to life with fabulous descriptions of the scenery and the food. Unrequited love and a hearty helping of lust keep the story going strong throughout. Full Review

Review of The Motherhood Walk of Fame by Shari Low Women's Fiction Bored with her steady family life, Carly jumps at the chance to go out to LA to pitch her work to studio bigwigs, but family troubles and a gorgeous ex boyfriend turned movie star soon start to scupper her plans. Full Review

Review of Body Surfing by Anita Shreve Literary Fiction After divorcing one husband and being widowed by another Sydney takes a job as a tutor in a beach-front house. This story of what happens when simmering tensions are left unresolved is highly recommended by Bookbag. Full Review

Review of Where the River Ends by Charles Martin Women's Fiction A weepy and a romance as Chris takes his dying wife on a trip down the river. A light read but highly recommended for holiday reading. Full Review

Review of Shorty Loves Wing Wong by Michael Smith Autobiography Michael Smith looks back on his youth, growing up in the grim north of England in this unusual take on a memoir. Full Review

Review of The Palace of Strange Girls by Sallie Day General Fiction An evocative story set in the nineteen fifties which had this former visitor to Blackpool smelling the salt again. With a good story line and excellent characters it's highly recommended. Full Review

Review of Beachcombing by Maggie Dana Women's Fiction A coming-of-middle-age story when Jill Hunter gives up her friends, her business and possibly her home for the man she loves and then finds that there's a but... It's much better than chick lit and definitely recommended. Full Review

Review of The Other Hand by Chris Cleave General Fiction Little Bee lives the Asylum Detention Centre full of hope for her new life in England. She is going to meet up with the only people she knows in this country. When she calls to say she is coming, the welcome is not entirely what she'd hoped. The lives of two women become inextricably linked by one chance meeting in the worst of all possible circumstances. Full Review

Review of Heartburn by Nora Ephron Generl Fiction A thinly-disguised fictionalisation of the breakup of her marriage to Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein delivers epicure and epithet. Recommended. Full Review

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Judy Astley said:

You seem accidentally to have omitted from this list Other People's Husbands by Judy Astley.

love from Judy Astley.

Sue replied:

What an ommission! Let's add a bonus book:

Review of Other People's Husbands by Judy Astley General Fiction Conrad, a famous and successful artist is 25 years older than his wife and he wonders if he really wants to be there for his forthcoming seventieth birthday. A heart-warming and gentle look at the relationships between husbands and wives. Recommended. Full Review