In Search of . . . Beach Books

Now that the weather has turned warmer I've started thinking about summer reading, particularly beach books.  I'm not really thinking about a generic sort of book that would be good for reading at the beach, but books that are literally set at or near a beach.  As I don't live anywhere near one, my idea of 'beach book' is one where I am transported there via the written word (the world is always a small place when you have access to books!).  So, I'm looking for suggestions (of course). 

I've done a little digging around, and this is a recurring theme with me.  I posted a list last year (though I've read nearly all the titles on my list), and a list of Seafaring Tales (rather on the sea than near it!) a couple of years back, as well as this post and this one.  I was thinking about what other books I might have on my shelves that would that would convey just the right mood.  They don't have to be set in a particular time or place, just near the seaside.  The story can be a mystery or family drama or something in between.

Years ago I read Jill McCorkle's Ferris Beach, which has sufficiently faded from memory, so a reread might be in order.  It's set in South Carolina in the 1970s and is a coming-of-age story.  I could also reread R.C. Sherriff's The Fortnight in September, which is all about one family's seaside holiday told in loving detail.  I can't remember if I've ever read Anne Rivers Siddons, but I have a copy of her Colony, which is about a young bride traveling to her husband's family retreat in Maine.  At the moment I'm reading Wilkie Collins's The Dead Secret  set in Cornwall (though there haven't been many beach scenes I'm afraid).  

I think I've pretty well mined all my old lists when it comes to beach stories, so I'm looking for a fresh infusion to keep me busy.  I'll be going over the previous suggestions again as well, but any ideas for new (though not necessarily recently published--they can be old, too) books are most welcome!       

Comments

[Cath]

The book I've just reviewed on my blog, Solomon Time by Will Randall, is quite beachy but is non-fiction so may not be what you're looking for. Robinson Crusoe?

[Nancy]

Beach Music by Pat Conroy
and Dorothea Benton Franks Sullivan's Island, Plantation and Isle of Palms

[Amy Reads Good Books]

For a good beach-y book, I'd suggest Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. It's set on Martha's Vineyard and captures summer for me.

[Susan]

Yay for Jill McCorkle!

There's always On the Beach and The Stranger ;) although you'd probably be much happier with Josephine Humphreys Rich in Love (set in Mount Pleasant, outside Charleston).

[Danielle]

Cath--I read Robinson Crusoe a couple of years ago (beach reads is a theme I turn to often...). I will have to check out your review--I don't mind NF at all actually!
Nancy--I've never read Pat Conroy, though the owners of the bookstore where I used to work loved him and always recommended him. I think it's time to check him out now! I think I'll start with Sullivan's Island, too. I'm making my list up of books to be ordered...
Amy--I Loved Judy Blume when I was young, but I've never read any of her adult books. I think I will have to read Sisters now. Anything that captures the feel of summer must be good! Thanks.
Susan--Someone who's read Jill McCorkle! :) I've started rereading Ferris Beach (very bad of me). Hmm. May have to start with the Josephine Humphreys, but will have to keep the others in mind, too... :)

[claire]

Off the bat, these are the titles I can think of that are not included in your list:

John Banville's The Sea (which I didn't love all that much, but I know it was good writing, I just didn't click with the characters).

Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea (which was mysterious and dramatic and one I really liked).

Jane Urquhart's Away (which was somehow magical and I really loved it, and which I wrote about here).

E Annie Proulx's The Shipping News (down-to-earth, a very good read, which I also wrote about here).

And my absolute favourite of the lot: W Somerset Maugham's The Trembling of a Leaf (in which I gush about here).

[claire]

Whoops! It seems my html code for the links didn't work. I'll just type the links wholly in here:

AWAY:
http://kissacloud.blogspot.com/2009/03/away-by-jane-urquhart.html

THE SHIPPING NEWS:
http://kissacloud.blogspot.com/2009/01/shipping-news.html

THE TREMBLING OF A LEAF:
http://kissacloud.blogspot.com/2009/03/trembling-of-leaf-by-w-somerset-maugham.html

[Danielle]

Claire--I've only read The Sea, which like you I didn't really love all that much, but the writing was gorgeous!! I have the Urquhart and the Proulx (both unread and I had forgotten about them both). I've never heard of the Maugham. I'm going to order some of these titles in the next few days--everything sounds so good! Thanks for the suggestions!

[Ellen]

I have no recommendations to make, but I've just added several books (both from the posts and the comments) to my wish list. Reading this blog is always inspiring.

[Jennifer Dee]

How about 'The Great Western Beach' by Emma Smith. This is a lovely book and so easy to read. It is a delightful memoir of a childhood in Cornwall between the wars. This is a must read for anyone like me who live in Newquay where the Great Western is one of 7 beaches in Newquay.

[FleurFisher]

I livea few miles down the coast but I used to work in Newquay and I am definitely seconding 'The Great Western Beach'. It's a wonderful book!

[Paperback_Reader]

Danielle, what about The Summer Book by Tove Jansson? I have a copy from the library that I am itching to read; Simon at Stuck in a Book (who I discovered through your blog in 2007) has it as one of his 50 Books You Must Read and informs us that it is a beautiful evocation of summer.

[LindaY]

How about Gladys Taber's STILL COVE JOURNAL and MY OWN CAPE COD? Nonfiction and lovely writing.

[catharina]

In the Pinguin Epics series: 'The sea, the sea' by Xenophon.
Quoted from the back side of the book : 'trying to help a prince overthrow the king of Persia, the Greek army has been betrayed. Now the surviving soldiers are trapped in a hostile country as unforgiving enemies attack from all sides.
Enter Xenephon, a tough and brilliant leader. he must guide the retreating Greeks across the treacherous mountains and rivers that stand in their way. But can he lead them to freedom - and to the great sea that will take them home?'

[Tara]

I'm reading Beach Trip by Cathy Holten for a book tour right now - I'll let you know how it is!

[Dorothy W.]

Oh, dear, it's exactly this sort of question that I'm no good at answering! Sorry! I'm curious about other people's suggestions, though, particularly the Maugham one, which I hadn't heard of before. Also the Urquhart one, which I have on my shelves. I'm glad other people are coming through for you!

[sherry]

How about the Asey Mayo mysteries written by Phoebe Atwood Taylor in the 1930's? Wonderful atmosphere.

[Melanie]

Have you read your copy of Janice Kulyk Keefer's "The Ladies Lending Library" yet? It is a wonderful evocation of summer on Kalyna Beach.

[Lily]

Oh, oh! You should read Mary Wesley -- her first two books, Jumping the Queue and The Camomile Lawn, are set in Cornwall and have lovely beachy descriptions. And then, if you haven't already been launched into her books, you will be. Plus, her bio (Wild Mary) is wonderful. xoxoxo

[litlove]

For some reason, I think of Isabel's Bed by Elinor Lipman, which I'm fairly sure was set near the beach and she's a good fun, easy read. Ann Oakley's A Proper Holiday was good. Esther Freud's The Sea House I loved, and Sasha Troyan's The Forbidden Island too. I remember that as being surprisingly good.

[Kristina]

I recently reread Castle Ugly by Mary Ellin Bartlett and the best thing about the book this time was the descriptions of two very different beaches and seas; somewhere on the east coast of the US (Long island? At least close to NYC) and the Mediterranean. The story is set in the 30s and 50s and evolves around childhood memories.

[Pam Furry]

Try "The Beach Book"...7 short stories set at various beaches around the world. I've only read the first long short story "The Shell Collector"...my second reading of this amazing story. I've read that the other stories are quite good. Plus the book is actually waterproof so you can read it in the tub & pretend you're at some exotic place.(good luck with that!)

[Danielle]

Claire--Thanks for those links--I think we were both commenting at the same time and I missed them last night--I'll check them out!
Ellen--Whenever I'm looking for book ideas I know that I'll find lots of great recommendations by asking here. And it's nice getting suggestions from people who've read and enjoyed the books!
Jennifer--Lucky you to live there. I have to read about beaches to get close to them! :) And I had heard good things about The Great Western Beach and had just ordered it. I'm watching the mail for it now.
FleurFisher--Another lucky one to live close to a beach! :) Now I can't wait to get the book. Have you read her other works? I have the novel published by Persephone (as yet unread).
Paperback Reader--I took Simon's suggestion as well. I must dig out my copy. I'd like to get her Winter Book as well.
Linda--I'm quite happy to take nonfiction suggestions as well. I would love to travel to Cape Cod and I will be off looking this author up when I'm done here!
Catharina--A classic--that actually sounds like a great adventure story. I'm not familiar with this, but I'm definitely going to add it to my list--thanks!
Tara--Please do. I've not heard of this book, but I like the sound of the title!
Dorothy--I ran out of ideas, which is why I thought I'd ask for suggestions. I'm not that familiar with Maugham, but I thought I had at least an idea of what he wrote. I'll be checking that out, and I have the Urquhart on my shelves as well.
Sherry--I was hoping someone might suggest a mystery. I'm not at all familiar with this author, but I'm going to enjoy looking her up!
Melanie--I'm SO Bad. I have not yet read it. It's sitting right next to my bed. I've been feeling totally overwhelmed by review copies that I've sort of pulled back and have them in a pile to read one at a time (well after I have the three started now all read and reviwed!). However, I was thinking of that one actually and may have to move it to the top of the pile.
Lily--You have excellent taste. I Love Mary Wesley. I discovered her when I worked in a bookstore some years ago and plowed through most of her books. I loved the Camomile Lawn, but I don't think I've read Jumping the Queue. I was recently thinking I need to reread her as well and obviously I'm on the right track. I was curious about the bio, but as you mention it, I'll definitely get a copy now! Thanks! :)
Litlove--I've read Elinor Lipman, though not that book, and she is very good! I think you've talked about the Esther Freud book before but the rest are new to me. I'm going to enjoy looking all these up (and then buying some of them!).
Kristina--That sounds good! When I read Colm Toibin's book recently there are a few scenes set on Coney Island and I was wondering what other books might be set in NYC. Thanks--I'm going to check this out!
Pam--What fun. I've never heard of this book, but I think I might like it a lot actually. I love that it's waterproof, but I'd rather be able to take it to the beach to read! ;)

[Jaimie]

Someone else mentioned The Shipping News but that is the only one I thought of offhand. I was going to read The Sea but all the reviews I read seem to think it mediocre at best.

[Stefanie]

I second The Shipping News and Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea. Have you read Woolf's To the Lighthouse? You probably have, but if not that's a good one too.

[JoAnn]

I just finished The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home by George Howe Colt. It's nonfiction about his family's home on Cape Cod - very well done!

[Danielle]

Jaimie--I've only read Annie Proulx's short story that was made into the movie Brokeback Mountain, but I do have The Shipping News somewhere--I remember when it was so popular. I liked the Sea--it had some wonderful descriptions, but I found the narrator difficult to like. It might be one to check out from the library.
Stefanie--I have read To the Lighthouse, but I am sure I didn't appreciate or understand it at the time, so a reread is a good idea. I've never read Iris Murdoch, so I should check her out as well--and of course will have to give The Shipping News a try now, too.

[Danielle]

JoAnn--You're the second person to sugget The Big House. I've looked at it at the bookstore, and now will have to buy it. I read a similar book called The Red House about the oldest New England house to be lived in continuously. Even though the family isn't famous, it was a fascinating read, and this one sounds similar.