Ready for a new twist on the beach read? Although "beach read" often conjures up images of breezy romances or gripping thrillers, we would argue that the classic summer novel is less about the content and more about the experience: something you read only for pleasure and that immerses you entirely in the story.
Here are four to consider, including a chilling horror debut, a near-future climate-themed fantasy, a memoir to be savored and a high-stakes Hollywood romance.
The Seattle Public Library's Reader Services team writes a monthly column for the Seattle Times that promotes reading and book trends from a librarian's perspective. Read the article on the Seattle Times website. You can find these titles at the library by visiting spl.org and searching the catalog.
By our definition, a great beach read doesn't need to be set in the summer, like Seattle author Jaq Evans' queer horror debut, "What Grows in the Dark."
Brigit Weylan's childhood trauma — her older sister died mysteriously in the woods — forever marked her as an outsider. As an adult, Brigit leans into this darkness, conducting paranormal investigations with her best friend Ian.
The two friends are drawn back to Brigit's hometown of Ellis Creek, Va., when a sheriff calls her in to help find out the fate of two teens who have disappeared in the same woods where Brigit's sister was found. As leaves fall on Ellis Creek and mounting dread builds, Brigit and Ian explore the sinister presence in the woods, the possible connections between the victims and long-held family secrets.
With echoes of "The Blair Witch Project," the novel's vivid imagery leaves its haunting imprint, making you question just how far you would go for your friends. Who survives isn't settled until the very end … or is it?
Veronica G. Henry's "The Canopy Keepers," the first in "The Scorched Earth" series, is a magical climate-themed novel about a very timely topic for Northwesterners: the future of our forests.
Protagonist Syrah Carthan draws readers into a compelling fantasy world set in near-future California. Syrah is the first female fire chief of Sequoia National Park, where decades earlier, a devastating wildfire led to her parents' death and her brother's disappearance. Still navigating that extreme loss, Syrah stumbles upon a world beneath the giant trees where Rhiza, protectors of the forest, and their guardian "The Mother," are battling one another and humankind.
Do the ends justify the means when it comes to survival — that of both humanity and nature? The poetic interludes from The Mother are striking, and the predestined romance vibes between Syrah and the sexy Rhiza Ochcai leave the reader excited for the next installment in the series. Powerful themes of family and environmentalism twine in this unique and alluring tale. Have tissues on hand for several heart-wrenching moments.
Those with an endless appetite for both writing and food will savor New York Times book critic Dwight Garner's "The Upstairs Delicatessen." Subtitled "On Eating, Reading, Reading About Eating, and Eating While Reading," the book is an experience best enjoyed comfortably stretched out with your snacks of choice.
Divided into six sections, Breakfast, Lunch, Shopping, Swim or Nap, Drinking, and Dinner, Garner highlights the sensory delights of food writing from literary greats like Sylvia Plath and Cormac McCarthy, along with his own personal memories of pairing meals with chosen reading materials, starting from childhood with Hydrox cookies, a glass of milk and a stack of magazines.
Although the influence of his foodie wife, Cree LeFavour, is omnipresent in the book, Garner recollects childhood meals of pickle and peanut butter sandwiches with as much tenderness and gusto as his later farm-to-table fare, including a 50-course lunch from Spanish chef Ferran Adrià.
Finally, if you're after a guaranteed happily ever after while soaking up the sun, try debut author Myah Ariel's "When I Think of You," a second-chance romance set in the hubbub of Hollywood.
While stuck in a dead-end receptionist job at a studio, aspiring film producer Kaliya Wilson is shocked to come face-to-face with Danny Prescott, her ex-boyfriend from film school and the hottest director in town. He broke her heart six years ago, and Kaliya will have to figure out if she can move past that to work on his newest film, which tells the epic love story of his interracial parents as they faced discrimination and hate.
The sparks between them haven't faded, but trust is another issue (especially as Danny's hot actor girlfriend is bankrolling the movie!). As Kaliya and Danny navigate their palpable chemistry and past hurts to embrace their own love story, the novel also explores serious topics like workplace discrimination, racism and grief.
- Genesee and Jane, Reader Services librarians
Photo credit: Ben White, Unsplash
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