Beach Reads
If you are an avid reader, I suggest joining a book club – or even a few! Book clubs have changed with the times. There are still ones that meet in person every so often to discuss the latest selection. But now there are clubs that meet virtually, and even social media groups you can join. I tend to select the same types of genres over and over. One of the best parts of being in a club is that I have the chance to hear about a variety of titles that I might not have picked up on my own. Sometimes books are mentioned that I’m glad I haven’t bought, but almost always I leave with a list of titles I can’t wait to dive into. These are some of my most recent favorite book club selections.
“Wish You Were Here” by Jodi Picoult
Diana O’Toole has everything for her life planned. She will be married by 30 to her boyfriend Finn, have kids by 35, excel in her art-auction career and move out to the New York suburbs. Her boss is hinting at a big promotion, but she has to close a deal with a high-profile client first. Engagement should be right around the corner, and she expects it to happen when she and Finn go on their scheduled romantic getaway to the Galapagos Islands. Then a virus hits the city. Finn is a surgical resident and there’s no way he can leave now because they need everyone at the hospital, but he insists that Diana still go. Hesitant but wanting to get something out of this nonrefundable trip, Diana catches the flight. Everything goes wrong. Her luggage is lost, there is no Wi-Fi, and the hotel where they were supposed to stay is closed because of the pandemic. The entire island is under quarantine, and she is stranded. Luckily, she befriends a local family with a teenage girl who instantly connects with Diana. Diana finds herself stepping back and reexamining everything in her life. She might just come home a different person.
“Reminders of Him” by Colleen Hoover
“Reminders of Him” was the most talked-about book in every book club this season. Kenna Rowan is finally heading home after five years in jail for a tragic mistake. She plans to reunite with her 4-year-old daughter, but it seems that almost everyone is committed to shutting Kenna out. Ledger Ward, a local bar owner, is the only person still talking to Kenna. They form a connection despite the talk that surrounds them, but the closer they get, the bigger the risk they are taking. Kenna has to find a way to fix the mistakes in her past before she can look toward the future
“The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
Imagine finding a library where each one of the books offers the story of another reality. One story is your life as it is, another is the life you could have lived if you had made different choices. We all wonder sometimes, what if? Well, what if you could actually go to the library and find out for yourself? Nora Seed finds herself making this very decision. She’s faced with the possibility of changing her life – choosing a new career, fixing old relationships, and following her dreams. As Nora travels through “The Midnight Library,” she has the opportunity to decide what is most important in life.
“The Magnolia Palace” by Fiona Davis
Lillian Carter lost her mother in the Spanish flu outbreak of 1919. At just 21, her life fell apart. For six years, she has lived under the alias Angelica and is one of the most popular models in New York. Falling deeper into grief, Lillian is dangerous and desperate. The work has stopped coming and she finds herself in the center of a scandal. An employment opportunity opens up at the Frick mansion as the private secretary to Helen Frick, and Lillian takes it immediately. The longer she works for the impressively rich yet utterly demanding heiress, the more entwined she becomes with the family. Lillian finds herself in a web of family drama, stolen jewelry, and romantic encounters. The trail of betrayal runs so deep that it’s a matter of life or death. Fast-forward 50 years, when English model Veronica Weber is busy making her own career within the former Frick residence that has become a museum. Veronica stumbles upon a series of hidden messages in the museum that could reveal the truth behind an unsolved murder.
“The Maid” by Nita Prose
Molly Gray’s grandmother died a few months ago. She was the only one who could interpret the world for Molly, who struggles with social skills. Now Molly is working as a hotel maid, trying to figure out the world on her own. She is perfect for this job as she is obsessive about cleaning and doesn’t waste time chatting with the guests. She loves everything about ironing her uniform to perfection, filling her cart each day with miniature soaps and shampoos, and ensuring each room is absolutely perfect. Everything changes when Molly enters Charles Black’s room to clean it. The room is a disaster and Black is dead in the bed. Because of her unusual behavior, Molly instantly becomes a suspect. She finds herself caught up in a web of lies and has no clue how to get herself out of it. Then friends she didn’t even know she had start coming out unexpectedly. They help Molly search for clues to find out what really happened that night.
“One Night on the Island” by Josie Silver
Sometimes a small escape can help put everything into perspective. London dating columnist Cleo Wilder is heading to a remote Irish island on a solo retreat for her 30th birthday. This isn’t exactly what she had in mind for a celebration, but her boss insisted. Maybe spending some time in a luxury cabin practicing self-care is just what she needs. Mack Sullivan finds himself on that same island, but for very different reasons. His life in Boston is a total mess and he’s looking for some clarity. A mix-up with reservations puts Cleo and Max together in the same one-room cabin, with a week until the ferry returns. They don’t hit it off, and it seems this week is going to be a total disaster. But as the days go by, they learn to not only tolerate but actually enjoy one another’s company. “One Night on the Island” is a heartwarming read that sucks you right in.
