My 2018 summer beach reads
"Summer isn't a season it's a state of mind," she said jokingly, but not so jokingly - more like uncomfortable laughter, but totally comfortable at the same time. - Julia
Yes, I realize summer is almost over. And yes, I realize September and the monotony that is the day-to-day is right around the corner. But! It's always a good time for a beach read!
The List
I love reading, I really do, and like any book lover, I love sharing my books. So, for your perusal, here is a list of my favourite "beach reads" from summer 2018 (so far). Also, I recently discovered the library - yes, libraries still exist, and they have an app! Overdrive / Libby is the library app in Ontario and it has been my greatest find this summer! Free books are my favourite books!
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
This is pretty much everything I want in a beach read. Not only is it set in both Italy in the 60's and present-day Hollywood, but it's also extremely well thought out.
This multiple character perspective - my favourite kind of fiction writing style - follows numerous characters ranging from Italian villagers, Hollywood starlets, struggling performers and a slew of other characters that are written just as beautifully as the rest. They're the kind of characters you want to google and see what happened to them after the book ended - I'm not an official book critic, but I feel like attempting to google fictional characters is the highest level of appreciation in the book world. I mean, that or being on the New York Times Bestselling list, still, I'd probably take the former.
Walters takes you through an entangled love story with twists and turns that will make you forget to get off at your train station - a true page-turner, and in my mind (Julia Land, as I like to call it) the perfect beach read.
When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger
Do not judge a book by its title. I literally just finished reading this. I've neglected all responsibilities - for the last 3 days at least - and committed my sole focus to this book and the ladies of Greenwich. And holy shit, it was so worth it.
You may recognize Weisberger from her moderately successful novel, which was then turned into a major motion picture - THE DEVIL WEARS (FUCKING) PRADA! Pause. We are in the presence of a legend.
In this novel, we follow Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt's character from the movie) as she reunites with old friends who have just encountered serious dramatic events - think scandals to climb the political ladder, false arrests, and a slew of other drama that emits from the housewives of Greenwich, Connecticut - do yourself a favour and google some of the homes in this area, they're insane. The story is so well crafted and the lives of each character intertwine seamlessly. I couldn't stop reading - again, another great beach read.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
If you went to Indigo, this would probably be labelled under the "self-help" section. I read a lot of "self-help" books, but I prefer to call them "mindful readings" and Big Magic, encompasses that ethos. The author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert, poses thought-provoking questions on our current view of living a creative life. She implores how we are all creatives and how we can get back to our true selves.
One of my favourite quotes from the book was:
"People often say: 'What would you do today if you could not fail?' But my question is, 'What would you do today if you knew you could very well fail?' What do you love doing so much that you're okay with a few failures?"
Written in very short chapters, it's a delight to read. Slightly hippy, but I love it.
What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey
The only way that I can try to describe this one, is that it was like listening to a mediation. I downloaded the audiobook from Overdrive (#SupportLocalLibraries, #FreeBooks) and listening to it was a dream. I've never felt so calm, yet so inspired while listening to an audiobook. Oprah walks you through her trials and tribulations and shares what she's learned along her journey. She shares insights that you may have already realized, but her choice of wording is so profound that it gives your thoughts a new weight. Truly something worth reading - or listening to.
Even though summer is nearly over, I truly think beach reads are perfect for any season. Some light-hearted reading with a great story, or great insight. However, if you're a business kid like myself, you probably want something along the lines of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" or "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." Don't worry, I've got you covered. My next list is on my favourite business books! Exhilarating.