Oceanside Reading

Categories: Mystery & Suspense , Fiction

It is vacation time again, which means it is time for beach books. Here is some recommended summertime reading:

The Highest Tide (2005), by Jim Lynch, is a funny fascinating story set on the northwest US coast. We learn a lot about 13-year-old Miles' uncanny relationship with the sea and his friends, family, and the press.

John Banville's The Sea, the 2005 Man Booker Prize winner, is the intriguing story of a man who returns to a seaside town from his past following his wife's death.

For intriguing mystery by the sea, PD James' The Lighthouse (2005) will keep you riveted.

Island romance is always a wonderful getaway. Nora Roberts' Three Sisters Island Trilogy is great paperback reading -- a little witchcraft, a little romance, a little New England island scenery. Dance Upon the Air (2001), Heaven and Earth (2001), and Face the Fire (2002).

Jaws (1974) by Peter Benchley is a fun read by the sea. I also recommend the now classic 1975 movie based on the novel, directed by a fledgling Steven Spielberg at 26 years old.

Have a nice vacation...and don't forget the books!

There are so many wonderful books about the sea, islands, beaches, and a watery way of life. Here are a few more favorites:

• Dorothea Benton Frank writes the Lowcountry books, set on the North Carolina coast: Sullivan's Island (1999) starts the series, and you will be glad that there are 4 more books to follow
• Sea Change (2005) is a typically gritty tough-talking mystery from Robert B. Parker
• Jimmy Buffett has written two enjoyable seaside tomes: Tales from Margaritaville(1989) and A Salty Piece of Land (2004)
• The Loch (2005) by Steve Alten is a pull-out-the-stops scientific adventure involving murder, the Loch Ness Monster, a little bit of romance, and a lot of bad decisions -- fun read!
• Sphere (1987) by Michael Crichton is one of the better of his books, set in a deep-sea research station. The 1998 movie of the same name was based on this book (the book is better!)
• Don't sell the classics short! The Old Man and the Sea (Hemingway), The Caine Mutiny (Herman Wouk), Mutiny on the Bounty (Charles Nordhoff), and Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson)