Top Ten Beach Reads For Women

Ah, summer's here. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, the weather is gorgeous, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. What's nicer than lying on the beach with a book, soaking up the sun and losing yourself in a good book. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for women. Men can check out the Top Ten Beach Reads For Boys. (Of course, there's nothing stopping men enjoying these choices and vice versa!) Why not tell us about your favourites?

The Beach by Alex Garland

You really should read this book before you see the film as there's distinctly more to it. An absorbing read which you'll go back to time and time again. Highly recommended. Full review...

The Gypsy Tearoom by Nicky Pellegrino

An enchanting look at the way of life in a small Italian town, brought to life with fabulous descriptions of the scenery and the food. Unrequited love and a hearty helping of lust keep the story going strong throughout. Full review...

The Motherhood Walk of Fame by Shari Low

Bored with her steady family life, Carly jumps at the chance to go out to LA to pitch her work to studio bigwigs, but family troubles and a gorgeous ex boyfriend turned movie star soon start to scupper her plans. Full review...

Body Surfing by Anita Shreve

After divorcing one husband and being widowed by another Sydney takes a job as a tutor in a beach-front house. This story of what happens when simmering tensions are left unresolved is highly recommended by Bookbag. Full review...

Where the River Ends by Charles Martin

A weepy and a romance as Chris takes his dying wife on a trip down the river. A light read but highly recommended for holiday reading. Full review...

Shorty Loves Wing Wong by Michael Smith

Michael Smith looks back on his youth, growing up in the grim north of England in this unusual take on a memoir. Full review...

The Palace of Strange Girls by Sallie Day

An evocative story set in the nineteen fifties which had this former visitor to Blackpool smelling the salt again. With a good story line and excellent characters it's highly recommended. Full review...

Beachcombing by Maggie Dana

A coming-of-middle-age story when Jill Hunter gives up her friends, her business and possibly her home for the man she loves and then finds that there's a but... It's much better than chick lit and definitely recommended. Full review...

The Other Hand by Chris Cleave

Little Bee lives the Asylum Detention Centre full of hope for her new life in England. She is going to meet up with the only people she knows in this country. When she calls to say she is coming, the welcome is not entirely what she'd hoped. The lives of two women become inextricably linked by one chance meeting in the worst of all possible circumstances. Full review...

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

A thinly-disguised fictionalisation of the breakup of her marriage to Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein delivers epicure and epithet. Recommended. Full review...

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Judy Astley said:

You seem accidentally to have omitted from this list Other People's Husbands by Judy Astley.

love from Judy Astley.

Sue replied:

What an ommission! Let's add a bonus book:

Other People's Husbands by Judy Astley

Conrad, a famous and successful artist is 25 years older than his wife and he wonders if he really wants to be there for his forthcoming seventieth birthday. A heart-warming and gentle look at the relationships between husbands and wives. Recommended. Full review...