Staff Picks
Unexpectedly Good Books to Read on the Beach
As you pile the car with beach balls, umbrellas and towels for your last visit to the beach this summer, don’t forget to take along a good book! Sitting at the shore all day long is the perfect opportunity to make good headway into a novel. Here are a few favorites from our DP Life staff:
Renee Meijer Heil, Darmstadt, Germany
Favorite Beach: Jungmun Beach, Jejudo, South Korea
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, by Jean-Dominique Bauby
The French editor of Elle, Jean-Dominique Bauby, suffered a stroke at the age of forty-three that left him completely paralyzed except for his left eyelid. Despite his devastating physical circumstances, Bauby’s mind was as clear as ever and he used his vivid imagination to remain as positive as he could. The entire book was composed in Bauby’s head and was “written” by Bauby blinking whenever his helper pointed at the correct letter on a chart. It recounts everyday life in the hospital for someone with locked-in syndrome, memories of the past and other reflections. Although he’s sometimes cynical, Bauby never pities himself or shows hopelessness. Sadly he died just ten days after the book was published. However, this beautifully written book remains a courageous testament to the power of the human mind.
Philip Brown, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Favorite Beach: Vlore, Albania
Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius
The beach is one of nature’s ways of offering us solace and calm. It is conducive to reflection and a great companion to this is Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. The 2nd Century Roman Emperor wrote the work as a reflection on his life and as a source of guidance. What is consoling about the work is in knowing that someone who lived in such drastically different circumstances worried about the same things as all of us. How should we live? How do we find fulfilment? What makes us good? The writing is pure and honest and makes us realise that perhaps deep down, beyond our circumstances, we’re all facing the same challenges. Great literature reminds us that we’re not alone and that we can take an evening stroll by the water with great minds at our side.
Demian Dunkley, Nutley, New Jersey
Favorite Beach: Hawaiian beaches and the Amalfi Coast
Asterix in Britain, by Goscinny and Uderzo & In the Light of Truth, by Abd-Ru-Shin
Whenever I was bored, lonely or depressed I would pick up an Asterix or Tintin comic book. They never failed to cheer me up and are full of great humor and on-point jokes. In Asterix in Britain by Goscinny and Uderzo, Asterix and Obelix visit England to help out a little village similar to their own, which is holding out against the Roman invaders. My favorite detail is when the British stop mid-battle for tea at 5pm.
For a little more substance, In the Light of Truth is also a good one. I read it when I was fourteen or fifteen, and it gave me a fascinating explanation of the world, covering vast concepts from everything that exists between God and human beings. My favorite chapter was on the human blood, envisioning that in the future we will be able to detect any illness and immediately test any cure by recognizing the difference between happy and unhappy blood.
Cathlene Bell-Dumas, Lausanne, Switzerland
Favorite beach: Ocean Grove, New Jersey—with a daily bible quote at every gate, a village of playhouses for kids, and a boardwalk dotted with Victorian charm, it’s a fantastic spot for families!
This is a collection of anecdotes from Crystal Springs Youth Ranch, a unique farm in Oregon that pairs horses rescued from situations of neglect and abuse with children who themselves have experienced hardship and abuse. By working together, the children and horses begin to heal, and learn to trust again, often rekindling a relationship with God in the process. With stories ranging from heartwarming and light to excruciatingly painful, all written in beautifully vivid yet comforting prose, this book inspires me to use my life and love for others.
Shinyoung Chang, Queens, New York
Favorite beach: Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz, California
Book of the Twelve Houses, by Sharon Shinn
This is a series of five books, each book dealing with one of the main characters and their development. The plot is filled with political intrigue as the backdrop, and I revisit this series at least once a year, like I’m visiting close friends whom I’ve shared life-altering adventures with. For a piece of sci-fi fantasy fiction set during a time of swords, kings and magic, the characters are so tangible and endearing as to become true friends to the reader.
Laurel Nakai, Little Ferry, New Jersey
Favorite beach: Wildwood, New Jersey. I love riding bikes up and down the boardwalk—the longest in NJ—in the early morning.
The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss
Leo Gursky escaped the Nazi’s in Poland only to live a lonely life in New York as an old man, full of regrets and scared of becoming invisible. Meanwhile, 14 year old Alma Singer tries to navigate her mother’s depression, keep her younger brother from becoming a social pariah—he thinks he might be the Messiah—and unravel her own identity and family history. Told through sympathetic and quirky characters, twists and turns make these two lives intersect in touching and surprising ways.
This is a book that I have recommended over and over again because of its unique voice, intricately woven story, and themes of love and connection. The mysterious novel that plays a central role in the story reminds me of the importance of art, especially books, and the human experience they convey. It has become one of those books that has stayed with me long after I’ve closed the cover and always offers new gems of wisdom every time I open it again.
Jeanne Caron, Corona, New York
Favorite beach: Torrance Beach, California
Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer
What better book for when you’re lying in the hot sun and sand than a story about climbing to the top of Mount Everest? Into Thin Air is not the typical relaxing beach read, but a thrilling page-turner that will make the long hours on the beach fly by. A true story, this book is written by a reporter and mountain climber who joined a group expedition to climb the tallest mountain in the world. He describes the downfall of ambition and the resulting poor decisions that people make when prioritizing fame and accomplishment. If you’re looking for the ultimate adventure story that will make you contemplate what is truly important in life, follow these characters up into thin air.
Yoshie Manaka, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Favorite Beach: Bolsa Chica Beach, California—because there are bonfire pits!
East of Eden, by John Steinbeck
This book follows two generations of brothers, who struggle with their relationship with their fathers, and with each other. It is a very cyclical retelling of the Cain and Abel relationship. As they deal with these familial issues, one of the characters worries that he, as the “Cain-type” brother with a tendency of getting into trouble, is destined to be evil. While it isn’t the lightest beach read, it is very thought-provoking and ultimately uplifting. Steinbeck emphasizes the power of choice as the difference between man and animal, and his characters discover that regardless of parentage or character, it is their actions that define them.
Koichi Nakai, Little Ferry, New Jersey
Favorite beach: Wildwood, New Jersey
Write Your Own Story
I don’t particularly like to read on the beach, because it’s too bright and it hurts my eyes. Instead, I build sand castles and make up my own stories about living in those castles. Being at the beach can be a good time to be creative, too.
Whether you are out on the beach or at home, spend some time this weekend delving your mind into a new world and expanding your perspectives. And please let us know: what’s YOUR favorite book? Recommend good reads in the comments below!