The Search for the Perfect Beach Read
If you take a walk on the beach on a hot summer day, you will see many things. There will be children playing in the sand, people sunbathing, surfers hitting the waves. Another thing you might see is people reading a book on the sand.
Reading by the water is a common summer pastime for many. With the waves crashing, a breeze in the air, and natural sun shining through, it is an ideal environment. The relaxation of a day by the beach is enough for many to enjoy their summer day. This may lead one to ask: What should I read at the beach?
You can make any book a beach read, but there are some general things to look out for. This article will discuss what goes into some of the most common beach reads for a hot, summer day.
The Genre of a Beach Read
When choosing a book to read at the beach or by the pool, the genre and content are crucial. You do not want to read a book at the beach that does not match the vibe of the day. Typically, this will come across as material that is more populist and easy to digest.
As such, some common genres for popular beach reads are mystery, thriller, romance, and crime. These are genres that are usually easily digestible and plot-focused, allowing you to get lost in the story. Reading a more introspective book on a beautiful summer day might cause you to miss nuance. However, this guide is not the end-all be-all of finding a beach read. If you want a more heady experience, go for it!
Besides the genre of a beach read, the content and themes of the book matter. In the genre you have chosen, you might want to avoid themes that are too heavy. The best beach reads are those that allow you to have fun and disappear in the story; escapism is key.
Required Reading for School
The beach or pool can be a great place to read any required reading for school. Bringing a summer reading book allows a student to be productive without sacrificing time outdoors. This can allow a student of any age to maximize their summer potential.
However, be aware of what else is required with the reading. For example, if it is a book you have to annotate or highlight, maybe save that for home reading.
The Length of a Beach Read
Beach reads can be any length. The only thing that matters is that the book is something that interests you. That being said, books that are very long might be less convenient to bring to the beach. You can keep your beach read on the shorter side, but adjust based on your preferences.
Some genres are naturally predisposed to have a higher page count. For example, biographies, history books, and other nonfiction books tend to be longer. Fiction books can be any length, obviously, but the above-mentioned populist genres tend to be shorter. Know what you are looking for when it comes to your beach read and go from there.
Hardcover, Paperback, or Digital?
Books come in many different formats: hardcover, paperback, digital, and even audiobook. Each format comes with its pros and cons for any scenario, including what is best for summer beach reading.
The easiest type of book to take to the beach or by the pool is a paperback. Portability is a huge factor for finding the perfect beach read. Whether a mass market or a trade paperback, these are the easiest to transport. These are often less costly, so a little wear and tear is not a big deal. You can read paperbacks with ease.
Hardcover books can also be read at the beach, but it can be more cumbersome. The rigid covers make the book bigger and take up more space in your beach bag. Also, since these books are more expensive, you may not want to expose them to sand, sun, and sunscreen.
Digital eBooks are good for the beach if you are looking for a wider library at your fingertips. As long as your eReader can withstand outdoor reading, you can easily read any book you want.
Similarly, you can listen to an audiobook while soaking up the sun. When listening to audiobooks, you just have to listen to the story. This is ideal for someone looking for a chance to rest their eyes and let their mind drift.
Building a Community
Reading at the beach or by the pool may seem solitary, but it can actually build community. You can either inspire others to read or connect over shared interests. You might even get to add new books to your reading list!
To find some new beach reads this summer, check out Cloverly Christian’s recent releases.
