The Question of the Month: What is your favorite beach read? What makes a great beach read? Or, What is your favorite beach? These beach read questions come from Michael D’Agostino from A Life Examined. On the first Monday of each month he poses a question for those of us participating in this blog hop. To find a list of participants, or to join, visit his blog. I’m going to answer this by showcasing three books that I’ve read at a beach, one of my favorite things to do. Toes in sand, book in hand!
I had intended to schedule this post over the weekend so it would be ready to read early this morning, but I got 
caught up in this book, The Girl With Seven Names by Nyeonseo Lee. I started reading it last week, and brought it to one of my favorite beaches. I have spent the most time at the beach at Mount Carmel on Lake Carlos, one of the over 10,000 lakes of Minnesota. I have been going there since I was a little kid with my family, building sand castles and trenches, playing in the water, swimming to the floating raft. I brought my kids, and they grew up doing the same things. The older they got, the more time I could spend reading, unless I was chatting with family or new friends.
Last year, I was reading Candace Simar’s Shelterbelts on this same beach. It is the story of a Scandinavian-American farming community in Minnesota. All the characters feel like 
neighbors, or relatives. I grew up in a similar community. This book feels like its my own history. If I knew I was going to be stranded on an island, this is one of the books I would take with me.
Another book I would take with me to the island is The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom. In fact, I did take it to the Islands of Hawaii. I spent much of my beach time in Kauai reading this book. The narrator is Music and how it was with Frankie throughout his life, and the times when a string of his guitar would glow with the magic he produces through his spirit of Music. It is a beautiful book. One of my boys gave it to me for Christmas, and I hope all my boys read it some day.
Great question, Michael! Here’s to more hours of sun, sand, books and beaches!
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: What are you reading right now? What books would you bring to the island? Where is your favorite beach?
You’ve probably selected the most unique beaches!
I just finished Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline. It was actually in the beach house we rented last May on Kiawah Island, but I was a good citizen and didn’t steal their copy. (But it was tempting!)
Sometimes those places have a “Take a book, leave a book” policy, but glad you found one you liked! I’ve read a couple Lisa Scottoline books.
I bet Mount Carmel on Lake Carlos is pretty! I’ve always want to go to Minnesota. I’m sure I will soonish. I have 2 good friends that live there.
I hope you can visit here, soon. Summer and Fall are the best months. Winter can be brutal.
Mary, I’m taking copious notes on your recommendations here. Such a great list.
I usually pick something pace intensive, thriller or such, for beach reading, but am open to anything good.
I think the beach would be a good place to read a thriller. Probably better than in bed right before you fall asleep. It might give me nightmares!
Sure sounds like you have a good beach and a great way to spend time there indeed.
I might have to look those up. When at the beach, I love a read old favorites. Something to contemplate while feeling the breeze or listening to the waves lap onto the shore. Lately my favorite is Clarissa Pinkola Estes’ book Untie the Strong Woman: Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Love for the Wild Soul.
Your books sound interesting, too!
I just may check out Shelterbelts! Thanks for the reading suggestion, Mary!
I hope you enjoy it, Susan!
I’d love to go to that beach. It does seem like the best place to read. 🙂
How nice. Your beaches seem to be the places to read wonderful book.
My post on my favorite beach is finally live too, if a week late: https://olgagodim.wordpress.com/2016/08/08/question-of-the-month-august-2016/
Very nice. Thanks