This Week’s Topic: Just Beachy!
I often get inspired to talk about things that come up in the comment sections of other discussion. I cannot quite remember what post I was replying to, but after seeing a multitude of "beach read" posts, I was curious as to what you look for in beachy aka summer books.
I feel like I have seen list that are night and day for each other, when it comes to this topic. However, I know what I want in a beach/poolside/summer read.
- It's a no-brainer to included books set in the summer. Having the book take place during this time of the year frees up the characters for lots of fun. There is no school or homework for the kids, and many adults tend to take their vacation time during the summer. Less responsibilities = more fun.
- I like my summer books to be fun. Though, summer is not any different for me these days, I remember as a kid looking forward to all the extra time I would have to play and do things I wanted to do. Even as mom, summer marked the end of all organized activities, and we had more time to enjoy being a family. Adding to my above equation: more time + less responsibilities = more fun.
- Any book taking place at the beach or another vacation spot gets bonus points, because that setting fully immerses me in a summertime state of mind.
- Another plus - the story involves baseball or music festivals. These are two things have been staples of every summer I have been alive, and my current run of baseball books have all been winners.
- I also always associate these types of read with something on the lighter side - low drama, not issue heavy. Summer is a time to feel a little more "weightless", and heavy books always seem to dampen my good moods, even if only temporarily.
- For some reason, more contemporary books scream SUMMER to me. Several reasons why stand out to me. First of all, contemporary books tend to be shorter than most SciFi/Fantasy books. They also tend to be "easier" reads, because the worlds are more straight forward, and usually familiar to us. When I pick up an SFF book, I have to learn a whole new world and all its rules. That's a lot to ask, when I am sort of half checked out.
- I expect to be left happy or in a good modal the end of a beach read. What does that mean to me....(wait for it).....(you know what's coming)....an HEA. I am looking for a happy ending. That means, the dog lives, the couple stays together, the sick are healed -- whatever possible calamity could have arise was snuffed out, and every character is present and happy at the end.
My list may seem demanding, but there really are a ton of books that fit.
I want to know:
What do you expect from a "beach read"?
And, do you have some suggestions for me?
Now it's your turn!
What do you expect from a "beach read"?
Suggestions, please!
Let us know in the comments!
Suggestions, please!
Let us know in the comments!
I'm not a "summer book" gal, what with my reading preferences firmly residing in other genres...but I simply had to comment just to tell you that I love the title...as usual. Great pun LOL.
ReplyDeleteI am all puns and dad jokes - love them!
DeleteMum jokes LOL.
DeleteYeah, we need to make that term more popular.
DeleteI agree with a lot of your criteria - usually contemporary (sometimes historical fiction), light, and a beach or vacation setting. I always think of Elin Hilderbrand in the summer. Her books have a good dose of drama, but they take place in Nantucket!
ReplyDeleteI had always heard that Hilderbrand was a "queen of the beach read" type, but I think I picked the wrong book to start with. I checked Summerland out of the library and DNFed, because it was depressing. Maybe it picks up? I was expecting frothy all the way through.
DeleteI don't really read based on season, but I would say that what you describe sounds like summer to me!
ReplyDeleteI don't read by season, but people slap labels on types of books, and what I mostly see labeled as a summer read, is what I enjoy all year long. I am lighter side reader, and like feeling happy when I finish a book.
DeleteI guess I think of lighter reads - fun contemporary romance. But I see a lot of people reading thrillers/women's fiction int he summer so I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI don't read seasonally (other than Christmas novellas during the holidays) though.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
I don't think certain books cannot be read at certain times of the year, but I do think the label of "summer read" means more than a book read in the summer. It's a mood the story embodies, which I believe was probably born out of some sort of marketing plan, in much the same way that YA developed as a niche.
DeleteI don't think I've ever looked for a "beach read." XD I tend to read whatever I'm in the mood for no matter where I am. I guess if I was looking for something specifically to take with me to the beach it would probably be a mass market paperback paranormal or NA romance!
ReplyDeleteI was only thinking about it, because a lot bloggers are putting out "beach read" lists this time of year, and I don't think a beach read is any old book you read on the beach, but rather fits some sort of idea. I feel like some googling is necessary, because that term was started somewhere. Most likely by some marketing person.
Deletehahaha Thank you for educating me Sam!! I always wondered what HEA meant and was too embarrassed to ask but I finally sussed it out. I agree I was HEAs all the way for summer fun reads. I don't expressly look for beach or summer reads but sometimes I'm in the mood for an easy breezy read that doesn't have too much description and has some great feels. ❤️
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting moving between the book world and read world, and then also finding that we have our own lingo within certain niches of reader-dom. I spent a lot of time in romance reader forums, and I forget not everyone is a romance reader. I think something that is easy breezy can also make me feel. If a book doesn't evoke any sort of emotional response from me, it's not worth reading.
DeleteYeah I like an HEA too, although that's probably actually a year- round thing. But I totally agree. Lighter reads as well, with less drama. Summertime settings. Music festivals is a nice touch, I wouldn't have thought of that but that would be great in a summery story. Traveling too.
ReplyDeleteBooks that celebrate life and family and just togetherness. Eight Hundred grapes by Laura Dave is one that springs to my mind offhand.
Agreed. I always want my characters to end up happy at the end of it all. I am ok with suffering, if it results in something better. I need to find more books set at music festivals, as I used to spend many summer days enjoying them myself. I think I have like two on my shelf. Oooh! I think the library has Eight Hundred Grapes. I will have to check that out!
DeleteWhen I think of beach reads, I definitely think of light, fluffy reads with happy endings. I don't specifically seek out beach reads, but as I'm reading a random book, sometimes the thought will hit me that it would make a great beach/vacation read.
ReplyDeleteVacation is such a lazy time for me. I could not imagine myself picking up some real heavy, complicated tome. But, that's sort of me all the time.
DeleteI think of cozies, chick lit, romantic comedies and contemporary stories when I think beach reads. I often collect them just to read in the hot summer months:)
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what was in my mind, and what I tend to see in most trade articles, which is why I think it's sort of more a marketing thing, but everyone has their own idea of what they would personally bring on vacation.
DeleteFun, light, happy, warm books are my beachy reads. Low drama, no tragedy. I want books that will make me smile. I think your list is perfectly reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI am with you 100%. I equate a beach read to something I would want to experience on my vacation (since I hate the beach), and you described it to a tee.
DeleteI don't read specific things for certain seasons. In summer I'm as likely to read about apocalypse blizzards, monsters and terrible disasters as at any other time of year! I do always try to fit in some sharks for summer reading though as there is nothing more summery than sharks!
ReplyDeleteI am talking about the label of a "beach read", not saying you have to read it at the beach or in the summer, even, but people throw the label around a lot, and I was just curious as to what other people think of, when someone mentions that title. I wouldn't say I read by season. I want my idea of beach reads every day.
DeleteI love seeing what beach/summer read means to you. :) I don't specifically seek out/choose beach reads in the summer - I just continue on with whatever sounds good book to book - but if I *was* picking a beach/summer read your #5 sums up what I would look for. Something lighter, easy going (and definitely with a HEA). For me a beach read wouldn't be heavy or angsty or make me cry. Definitely a contemporary that is light and fun! :)
ReplyDeleteI understand it's probably a thing that started in some marketing department, but with seeing it in so many reviews and so many reading recommendation posts, I was curious what people think it means.
DeleteI like a light and funny romance, one that doesn't take too much brain power, especially if I'm at a hotel pool or beach because people watching will distract me from time to time. Also, I do love romantic suspense for beach reads. Of course, I want a HEA! Great post, Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd for me, contemporaries always require less "brain power". I think that's why I can read them so fast. The HEA is not negotiable as far as I'm concerned.
DeleteI expect the same as you sam! Contemporary, light and fun. Mostly YA or kind of romcom or sportsromance. Single dad works well too or rockstar romance. I want it to be easy to read, entertaining but also thoughtful!
ReplyDeleteI have not read too many single dad or rockstar romances, but the ones I have read were really fabulous! Elle Kennedy's VIP series comes to mind immediately.
DeleteI definitely think that different people have different criteria for "summer books," but light, happy books do seem to be the trend for summery, beach reads! I think that has to do with people being "half checked out," as you said. I don't mind reading SFF during the summer, but I do prefer books with happy endings, and I'm not sure why I want that more during summer than during any other time of year!
ReplyDeleteI tend to always read lighter side stories with HEAs, but you see all these posts in the summer for "beach reads". Even my eLibrary landing page has a shelf of them, but we all know, as bloggers we don't tend to read by season, but rather, by publication date.
DeleteWhen I hear the term "beach read," I think of exactly the kind of book you described above. However, I don't really read according to seasons (we basically don't even have them here in the Phoenix area) -- I just read whatever is grabbing my attention at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYou can read a "beach read" anywhere at anytime, but there is a connotation as to the type of read it is, when it bears that label. Or, at least, what the publishers want us to believe a beach read is.
DeleteI feel like your definition and my definition of a beach read are similar. For some reason it has to be contemporary, I think because I find them to be easier reads than fantasy and you want easy for the beach. I like for them to be a little fluffier, less angst and more sweet because I want them to be a bit lighter. I don't mind some emotion in my reads but preferably not sobbing by the pool, you know?
ReplyDeleteYes! I feel like I have to work harder when reading SFF books. I mean, the names alone are usually a chore, but then I have to remember all the world stuff, and the bulk of them require saving the kingdom or universe. I like a good cry book, and I feel like there are some sort of tears shed for every book I read, but no ugly cry books allowed.
DeleteAnything can be a beach read, really. I literally read some Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep at the beach/pool-side and that series is NOT a beach read. Lol. But I love it! However, when you say "beach read," to me the book has to take place during the summer, preferably at the beach... but maybe that just me taking things literally. Lol.
ReplyDeleteTrue, and I it is becoming quite obvious that everyone has their idea of what they like to read when they are chilling near a body of water, but as far as "beach read" as a marketing tactic I agree with you that among the required elements is that they take place during the summer at some summery type local. It's like life imitating art.
DeleteI don't tend to read seasonally, but I do have an impression of what people mean when they call a book a "beach read." I think you sum it up quite nicely!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
It's not per se that you HAVE to read it during that season, but rather, it fits the season, and you can pick it up, should you need to have a beachy moment or whatnot.
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