BOOKS THAT CRAVE A SPOT IN YOUR BEACH BAG // TOP TEN TUESDAY #1

As my first Top Ten Tuesday, I’ve decided to choose a beach themed prompt for this week. It’s a free-for-all over at the Broke and Bookish, so you can grab whatever prompt you like. It is August, but what the hell, people are still going to the beach.

…also, I would caution against the safety of sand and water for your books. But I leave you to your own deductions as far as that goes.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Mindy Kaling is an extraordinarily funny writer. Without a hint of pretension or condescension, she gives readers her life story with honest, quirky touches of hilarity. I spent a slow day waitressing reading this book, and it was one of the best reading experiences of my life.

Finding Audrey

Have you tried Sophie Kinsella? She’s the world-famous British author (one more reason they’re going to rule the world one day) of the Confessions of a Shopaholic series, but she also wrote this sweet contemporary about a teen recovering from PTSD and her daily life with a messy, crazy, adorable family. Highly recommended.

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

You don’t even have to think while you read this book, you can just inhale the pure comedy. Maya Van Wagenen’s experiment with old beauty & life tips and tricks is inspiring, funny, and dramatic.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story

Despite the title, this book actually isn’t as funny as you’d think. Sure, it’s entertaining, but it has some surprisingly deep themes about suicide and mental depression. I wouldn’t recommend for an uplifting read, but it’s definitely worth a try.

Mansfield Park

Yes, I had to be a cliché blogger here and add an Austen. But I couldn’t resist Mansfield Park. It’s witty, frustrating, emotional, and ridiculously dramatic. Seriously, don’t be intimidated by the long, looping Victorian writing, there are a lot of scenes worth reading in this book.

 

The Beautiful Miscellaneous

Protagonist with interesting family conundrums? Check. Traumatizing accident? Check. Newfound abilities? Check. It’s realistic fiction, so don’t expect anything supernatural, but this book will surprise and touch you in all sorts of ways.

Hyperbole and a Half

Allie Brosh. Is. Fucking. Hilarious. She even has a blog, so you can sample her comics before you read the book. But trust me, it’s worth it either way.

The Raven Boys

Take Welsh paranormal mythology, mix with New Hampshire, add five dashes of peculiar characters, and stir well. You have the Raven Cycle. There is no way to pass up on the awful beauty of Maggie Stiefvater’s writing, so you need to go read it. Now.

Anna and the French Kiss

Remember that time in your life when you were obsessed with Paris? Yeah, pick up this book, and get back to me about how you’ve started that up again. Baguettes, berets, and hot guys await you in this overly romantic, but poignant, contemporary.

The Goldfinch

So, this is a 700+ page book, and it might be a little hard dragging carrying it onto the beach. But I did it, so why can’t you? I brought it there and back from my house for a full week on vacation, and it was worth every second. The captivating plot, enormously developed characters, and beautiful relationships are highly worth your surf time.

Have you read any of these books? Are you planning to? And please leave your Top Ten Tuesday posts in the comments so I can read them.