My Top 5 Beach Reads

If you’re anything like me, it takes a certain type of book to qualify as a holiday read. I opt for nothing too heavy, but still stimulating enough to be a real page turner, so here’s a run down of my top 5 (no particular order!)

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry- Rachel Joyce

I really enjoyed this book. I won’t ruin the plot but it’s about an old man who decides he must walk the entire length of England to pay a visit to his dying friend, who he hasn’t seen in years. It’s a really touching book, properly emotional, and you love all the characters in it. And, if you’re from England, you’ll have probably visited many of the places Harold walks through, so it’s quite fun to recognise these.

The Beach- Alex Garland

Bit of a modern classic, this one, and if you haven’t read it already, you may have seen the Leo DiCaprio film from some time in the early 2000s… It’s awesome, a thriller which focuses on some inhabitants of an island on which they’ve made their own community. When our main character joins it’s all one big jolly but slowly dark and sinister twists occur. A really moreish book and not too far fetched for quite an out there premise.

Silver Linings Playbook- Matthew Quick

You’ve probably seen this film- Jennifer Lawrence’s first Oscar I believe? But, the book is miles better. The story is richer, the character development is way better, and Quick’s writing is perfect for a light, yet lasting read. It revolves around mental health, break ups and all sorts of themes you may find in a lot of teen fic nowadays, but it’s so much more than that!

The Complete Short Stories: Volume 1 (and 2)- Roald Dahl

Technically two books but who’s counting? It always gets to the day before the end of the holiday, and I finish a book, but know I won’t have time to finish another before I leave. So, my solution is to take a short story collection with me, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with Roald Dahl. His short stories are dark and hilarious and each one ends with incredible twists. These are written for adults, so he doesn’t hold back. Imagine an adult version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- There’d be deaths and all sorts! Expect that sort of weirdness from these.

Submarine- Joe Dunthorne

I know I said this list was in no particular order, but I’ve definitely saved the best ’til last. This is one of my favourite books ever, for some reason it just holds a special place in my heart. The film is without a doubt my all time favourite, I’ve watched it soOoOo many times I’ve lost count. It’s a messed up story of adolescence, the main character going through exams, parental problems, and girlfriend woes all whilst on the cocktail of drugs we call puberty. I. Love. It.

Let me know what books you like reading on the beach or on holiday in general! I’d love some recommendations! Thanks for reading, and please check out my social media (I follow back) and follow me on here too! Thanks!