The Best Beach Reads by Lisa Daily

I live eight minutes from the beach, and it is my favorite place in the whole world.

I keep a sun hat, beach chair, towel and a small umbrella in the back of my car at all times, just in case I have a spare hour (or half hour) for a little midday getaway.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I take my laptop down and work with my toes in the sand. And at least once every couple of weeks I try squeeze in a few hours to take a book down to the shore, drag my little chair as close to the water as I can get, stick my feet in the gulf and my nose in a book.

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler (www.janeaustenaddict.com)

After nursing a broken engagement with Jane Austen novels and Absolut, Courtney Stone wakes up and finds herself not in her Los Angeles bedroom or even in her own body, but inside the bedchamber of a woman in Regency England. Not only is Courtney stuck in another woman’s life, she is forced to pretend she actually is that woman; and despite knowing nothing about her, she manages to fool even the most astute observer. But not even her level of Austen mania has prepared Courtney for the chamber pots and filthy coaching inns of nineteenth-century England, let alone the realities of being a single woman who must fend off suffocating chaperones, condom-less seducers, and marriages of convenience.

Now, I’m generally not a fan of time travel books, or books set in Regency England, but I could not put this book down. I was so hooked after my three hours at the beach that I snuck in a page at the two stoplights on the way home. In the pick-up line at my daughter’s camp. And plied my children with cookies and DVDs so I could finish it that afternoon. I love, love, loved this book.

Here’s what else I’ve read this summer:

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger. I loved The Devil Wears Prada and had such high hopes for this book. It was enjoyable and fun with some laugh out loud moments.

Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella

This is a truly funny book from one of my favorite beach authors — Lexi Smart wakes up in a hospital bed to discover her life is not as it was. She’s attractive, accomplished and married to the perfect man. She’s also hated by her friends and employees, and not sure if she even likes the guy she’ll be spending the rest of her life with.

What’s in my beach bag now: The Beach House by Jane Green, Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner, with space left over for Mia King’s upcoming book Sweet Life and Kristy Kiernan’s Matters of Faith

And, if you’re looking for a good beach book yourself, look no further than the books of my fellow debs. Worth an afternoon in the sun, every one.

Deb Lisa

Fifteen Minutes of Shame by Lisa Daily
Fifteen Minutes of Shame by Lisa Daily

Author: Lisa Daily

Lisa Daily is a real-life TV dating expert on Daytime. She's a syndicated relationships columnist, a popular media guest seen everywhere from MTV to the New York Times, and the author of the bestselling dating advice book, Stop Getting Dumped! : All you need to know to make men fall madly in love with you and marry "The One" in 3 years or less. Visit lisa online at www.lisadaily.com

11 Replies to “The Best Beach Reads by Lisa Daily”

  2. Aww 🙂

    I feel very fortunate. (Although I did a 2-year stint in Minneapolis, so I’m extra appreciative of the warm weather.)

    Actually, we’re on our way out to the beach right now. I’ll have an ice cream cone in your honor.

    On the book recommendations: I tend to read lighter, funnier stuff in the summer — helps maintain that vacation mentality.

    Thanks for the comments!

    Best,

    Lisa

  3. The Jane Austin book is on my to-be-read list- but based on your recommendation it is moving its way up to the top.

    I also live close to the beach and I also use any excuse to sit down there.

  4. Excellent list! Ms. Rigler’s book is on the shelf at B&N right next to mine, and I think I shall pick it up next time I’m there. You definitely convinced me!! 🙂

  5. Definitely the odd man out here as I’ve always wondered how anyone can read with sun glare, heat, noise and people milling around? Am I a “bummer,” though not a beach one? 😉 However everyone else, enjoy!

  6. Hi all,

    Sorry to anyone who was unable to leave a comment this morning — Deb Eileen kindly informed me that comments were accidentally turned “off” on my post this morning.

    Eileen, thanks for the catch!!

    Best,

    Lisa

  7. Eileen & Jess,

    I really liked the book — smart and fun!~

    Larramie,

    Unbrella or big sun hat and glasses are mandatory. The people don’t bug me, but I like to drag my chair all the way to the edge of the water, so most of the crowd is behind me. (And most of the noise I hear is the crashing of the waves.) Sticking my feet in the gulf takes care of the heat issue — and when it gets too warm, I just take a dip to cool off.

    I took my kids down to the beach today, it was a beautiful day with larger than usual waves (4-8 feet) — thanks to Hurricane Dolly (currently heading towards Texas) it was a pretty amazing boogie board day.
    Especially since the waves are generally pretty tame here.

    I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the folks in the Brownsville, TX area — hoping Dolly peters out or just brings nothing more than a nice rainfall.

    Lisa

  10. Let me know how the Jennifer Weiner’s book is. I’ve not heard anything about it and am most curious…would love to have my chair along the shore’s edge. Sounds just about perfect! Enjoy!

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