Top Ten Beach Reads

This week's Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish is Beach Reads Week! We've each chosen five of our top reads for on the beach. This one was a difficult topic, as being British we obviously barely see the sun, and even though Angharad lives right by the beach, we're both basically hermits. However, here's our picks!

Angharad's Choices:

Vicious by V. E. Schwab
Vicious follows the story of two college roommates who share an interest in all things adrenaline-filled and death-defying. They believe that under extraordinary conditions, people can come back from the brink of death with an Extra Ordinary ability. 
Okay, so I admit this doesn't sound much like a beach read but to me, it doesn't just mean happy, summery books, it means books you can devour in one sitting and that's exactly what I did with this novel. Brilliant characters, brilliant plot and there's even a dog. What more could you ask for?


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Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson 
Since You've Been Gone (stop singing the song), is the story of Emily and her friendship with a girl called Sloane. We meet Emily as she realises Sloane has left town. Faced with the loss of her best friend, Emily soon realises Sloane has left her a list of things she needs to do over the summer. It's a story of friendship, self-confidence and love.
I think this is the perfect beach read. It takes place over the summer and Emily and her newfound friends have the time of their lives. Skinny dipping happens, guys. That's summery, right?

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The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
The Raven Cycle is all about friendship, love, adventure and a Welsh King. It follows Blue, a girl who lives with a bunch of women psychics but hasn't got the ability herself. She meets 'the raven boys', a group of men who after initially hating, she grows to love unconditionally. The series spans over four books as we follow their adventures in the mystical town of Henrietta as they figure out how to wake a sleeping prince.
I think you can read this book no matter what the season is, no matter where you are (a beach in this case) and no matter how you're feeling. It's magical. 

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Lord of the Flies by William Golding 
Okay, so I've recommended a book suitable to read on the beach that I had to study for the English Literature GCSE which follows the story of a bunch of school boys who become stranded on a deserted island? Am I normal? Probably not. They are technically on a beach and it's sunny and stuff. Yeah, people get murdered and everyone turns crazy but you know, life goes on. 

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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sàenz 
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is the ultimate summer beach read for me. It primarily takes place during the summer and follows the story of two boys, Ari and Dante, who become friends and slowly realise their feelings for each other. Also features funny moments, amazing families and incredible prose from the author. I flew through it and I wish I had read it on a beach.

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Becky's Choices:

When I'm on the beach I do usually tend to read whatever I was already reading, but when packing beach books I'll go in one of two rather unconventional directions - fantasy adventure books, or contemporary thrillers. Maybe I just feel the need to counteract all the happy sunlight vibes, but there we go.

 Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton 

A fast-paced fantasy, based around a journey, inspired by cowboys and the Middle East, Rebel of the Sands is an exciting but easy read. Perfect to read whilst relaxing on the beach! 

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Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Two Londons, magical creatures named after landmarks and stations throughout the city, talking rats, a pair of disgustingly creepy villains... what could be better to read on the beach?! Neverwhere is a magically-fuelled adventure following Richard's journey to London Below - a city inhabited by the people who fell through the cracks in the world.

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A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab 

Now here, V. E. Schwab takes it up a notch. This time, we have four London's to contend with. (Although I love all the multiple London books, where's the book about two or more Manchester's? Come on, people - we've been voted the best UK city for years on end!) 

. . . anyway.

A Darker Shade of Magic, as mentioned, is another magical adventure novel based in London(s). It's about Kell, one of the last antari who can travel between the Londons. It's also about Lila, a cross-dressing pirate thief from Grey London (aka the London we know). It's about how the two of them meet and what happens when they do. Another light-hearted, but at the same time thrilling and gripping beach read.

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Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas 

 Although Dangerous Girls may not seem like the most typical beach read, I can definitely picture reading it by the sea. It's mostly set in Aruba, and as I mentioned I enjoy reading contemporary thrillers on the beach, so to me, this book just makes perfect sense. It follows the story of Anna, who's away with friends during spring break when her best friend Elise is found murdered in her room, and Anna is seen as the prime suspect.

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Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot 
I think this is possibly my most serious choice... it's definitely the one happy, light hearted book on my list. On my shelves, actually.
Ok, so whose inner thirteen year old self was hugely excited to discover that Meg Cabot was writing an 11th Princess Diaries book, set in present day and aimed at adult readers? *sticks up hand*. Royal Wedding is the feel good beach book that you need to read this summer if you loved The Princess Diaries series as a kid. 

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What are your perfect books to read at the beach? Let us know in the comments!