~Post by Robyn
Fellow BookPerson Steven and I headed down to Port Aransas, TX last week for vacation. Being avid readers, it was a big deal trying to find the perfect book to read on the beach. We were by the ocean for 2 days and 1 night. Obviously this meant that we packed 5 books.. each.. and an audiobook.. and about 4 notebooks. Here is what we each decided and why!
For the Drive:
Point Omega by Don Delillo (audiobook) – The road noise on I-37 dashed any hopes of following the plot of the most recent DeLillo novel. Peter, Bjorn, & John, Counting Crows, and Ted Leo had to pick up the slack.
Robyn’s Beach Bag – Contents Include:
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
Being a casual writer, I am always on the look out for kind words of advice. This collection of letters that Rilke wrote to an aspiring poet provide just the ticket. Also, they are so short that whenever you have the hankering to jump in the ocean, a stopping point won’t be far away.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Somehow I’ve never read this, but the idea of an intense sea adventure with submarines and creatures made me super happy.
The Essential Rumi interpreted by Coleman Barks
My friend Meg lent me this book after showing me one poem. I immediately fell in love. Perfect words to casually read and ponder over while the noise of an endless ocean transports you to a more spiritual place. This is my kind of beach book.
The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway
A young newly married couple travel the European coast. They swim, drink, eat brunch and become involved in a dangerous game of desire. The flow and descriptive work in the first few chapters alone left me wanting more. It pairs perfectly with a beach chair and floppy hat.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
The title says it all. Just like the ocean, this book doesn’t hold itself to the rules of society. Taking place in the 1890’s, it broaches subjects that housewives all over were thinking, but did not say. Also, nothing says “awakening” like cold salt water in the face early in the morning, trust me.
Steven’s Beach Bag – Contents Include:
That is All by John Hogdman
This 100% accurate history of the coming super-pocalypse is the best way to stay frosty and alert even while luxuriating on the idyllic south Texas coast.
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway’s lush imagery and ascetic narration make me want to dynamite fascists or, at the very least, drink too much and fight.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Let’s see what all the fuss is about. No one is looking. The beach is a judgment-free zone.
The Vanishers by Heidi Julavits
It is an established fact that people let their guard down on vacation, becoming ever so much more vulnerable to psychic attack. The new novel by the co-editor of THE BELIEVER kept me on my toes enough to ward off all of the magic missiles directed my way.
Notable American Women by Ben Marcus
It doesn’t hurt to be seen reading a book about the inevitable rise to power of the matriarchal godhead on the off chance that one of her disciples is on the prowl for a sacrifice. You’ve got to stay safe.
Unfortunately we did not have time to read all that we had intended. The dolphins, sea turtles and smores were calling our name! However, we each started the Hemingway book we brought. Neither of us had read him before and it was such a pleasant coincidence that we both happen to add a novel of his to our beach bags. So, take a note from us the next time you head to the beach.. Wear sunscreen, watch for jellyfish and you can never have enough books (just remember that sand and seaspray are attracted to pages too!)
-Steven & Robyn
BookPeople 
Hemingway is one of my top 3 favorites. For Whom the Bell Tolls is an outstanding book but Islands in the Stream I think would make a good vacation/beach book. Although the ending is fairly dark for that sort of thing. However, being a three-part novel, the second part is great for the beach. I think it was meant to be a trilogy so technically you could just read the first two parts since the last one doesn’t tie in much to the original story.