Y’all, when it is summer and I am laying on an imaginary beach or, let’s be real, in my backyard on a crappy blanket I generally have a book in hand. Personally, I need a certain type of book when it comes to beach reading — the sort book that keeps me entertained, brings some drama and is generally brain candy.
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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke And Bookish and was created by The Perpetual Page Turner.
Top Ten Beach Reads
1. Forget You by Jennifer Echols
Forget You
Why?: Look dude, if you don’t know Doug yet I cannot think of a better place to meet him than with a cocktail in hand under the sun. Seriously, there are some scenes that get a little adult and you’ll need some water to cool down.
2.Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepherd
Pretty Little Liars
Why? If you are looking for drama, parts that make you say that bish is crayyy, and secret text messages from someone named A, then yo, add PLL to your beach bag.
3. My Life, The Theater And Other Tragedies by Allen Zadoff
My Life, The Theater, And Other Tragedies
Why? I’ve got a soft spot for male narrated books, and holy crap you guys this book is SO funny and okay, I like reading about the social hierarchies and gossip of groups I have never been a part of — like Drama Club.
4. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
The Princess Diaries
Why? Look, I have always wanted to wake up and discover that I am secretly royalty and then flip off anyone who was ever horrible to me. Alas, that has not happened. But you guys, Mia, she discovers her dad was a prince and that makes her a princess but she stays so snarky and true to herself. This book is legit perfect for the beach.
5. Sean Griswold’s Head by Lindsey Leavitt
Sean Griswold's Head
Why? So, Sean Griswold’s Head isn’t quite all fun and games like the other books mentioned thus far. It actually deals with some serious topics. BUT it also brings back that high school swoon infatuation and nostalgia.  And f’realz who does not like to swoon over NICE PEOPLE?!
6. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Perfect Chemistry
Why? Bad boy meets good girl. Sparks happen. KISSING AND MORE. Dude, how could I not add this book to my beach tote?
7. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
Audrey, Wait!
Why? Yo, reading this book is like hanging out with one of my good friends. It is full of swears and bands I have never heard of and it brings some gut busting laughs.
8. Past Perfect by Leila Sales
Past Perfect
Why? Maybe you aren’t going someplace as glamourous as the beach. MAYBE YOU ARE GOING TO A REEACTMENT. Holla, you will be soul mates with Past Perfect, I bet. PLUS IF YOU EVER DID COLOR WAR YOU WILL KNOW. I have so much history nerd/battle tactic LOVE for this book. I can’t even. This one should just go live in my beach bag.
9. Awkward by Marni Bates
Awkward
Why? Awkward is kind of a ridiculously adorable book — with lols awkward moments and cringing and laughing and good friendships and internet mistakes and like things that would never happen in real life. Seriously, this book is a fun read. Super breezy, y’all.
10. The Karma Club by Jessica Brody
The Karma Club
Why? We’ve all got one person in our lives that we would just LOVE karma to get. I have a few. In Karma Club, Maddy takes it into her own hands. And yo, the results are kind of funny! But a lesson is learned too! And sigh, you don’t need to invest a whole lot of yourself into The Karma Club to really enjoy it.
So friends, what are you shoving in your beach/hang out in the yard bag?
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Nope, I’m totally on board with you here. Summer = cute contemp. Though I like the way you put it better. Brain candy, indeed.
And I’m glad to say that I haven’t read a couple of these so now I have something to look forward to. What should I tackle first: Past Perfect or The Karma Club?
Happy Tuesday!
Excellent beach picks! I see several of my favorites here – Audrey, Wait, Sean Griswold’s, and PLL. I just picked up Awkward at the library and I’m glad to hear it’s fun and breezy. And Jennifer Echols’ books are just perfect for summer too- I’m going to catch up with some of her older books poolside.
Hurrah for brain candy. This looks like a great list, I’ll definitely be checking out a few of these.
Past Perfect sounds cute! I hear so many people talking about Akward that I need to read it 🙂
Contemporaries seem to be the favourite beach read (for me too!) and I’m trying to figure out why. Maybe we’re more happy living in the present when we’re at the beach? Maybe it’s easier to pretend we’re in a contemporary book…when we’re at the beach? XD
I’ve only read two of these. I really want to try some Echolls!
My list is one big awkward moment where I realized I mostly don’t read contemporaries.
Definitely adding Perfect Chemistry and Forget You to my summer reading list – gotta love some steamy steamy when I’m lounging poolside 🙂
Also, Awkward sounds hilarious…I don’t mind a cringe-worthy book now and again!
And yep, I added 3 of these to my list. Great choices! I did a little LOL when I read your description for Forget You. Hands down, the hottest book I have ever read. And you are right… Doug and a cocktail and a sure place to cool down… is a necessity while reading!!!
Oh, Awkward… so cute! P.S. You’re welcome to come to the beach with me! Unless you just prefer your imaginary beach. 😉 You bring the books, I’ll bring the cocktails!
I <3 your list! I love Sean Griswold's Head (and saying that < never gets old lol) and I really don't think it gets enough attention. It was so fun but it had depth. Past Perfect is on my list as well. Such a good book!
Ohhhhh, I had never even heard of a couple of these! Yay, new beach reads for me!
All of this books look like perfect light hearted summer reads! I haven’t read anything by Jennifer Echols and I keep meaning to. I’ll have to add “Forget You” to my summer reading list and knock it out 🙂
I’m thinking the drama club group by the guy might be a perfect choice. Thanks!
Perfect Chemistry is a great beach read. I also think Jennifer Echols books are made for summer reading but Forget You wasn’t my favorite. That honor goes to Going Too Far.
A lot of people have Perfect Chemistry on their list which makes me happy because I have that book and want to read it soon…so what better place than the beach! lol. Great list! My Top Ten Tuesday
I used to looooooooove The Princess Diaries. So flufftastic and funny that they’re definitely perfect beach books! I haven’t read most of your list, but they all sound pretty fan-damn-tastic
Oh man, you’re making me want to re-read Perfect Chemistry. I really need to read the rest of her books. Even the one with that terrible shower cover that makes me feel all icky.
I’ve yet to read Sean Griswold but ME ME ME *I* like to swoon over nice people!
Beachy reads aren’t often on my radar, so I haven’t read any of these. However, I see many on this list that I know my students would like and a few that I need to add to my TBR pile for my summer by the lake. (This is why I love the YA blogosphere! So many books that I wouldn’t have discovered on my own!)
Love the term “brain candy”. Thanks for the great ideas on new authors 🙂
Thanks for dropping by my Top 10 list!
I haven’t read any of the ones on your list yet but I see a few that are on my TBR list 🙂
Great list!!! I have been wanting to read Awkward since it released. I need to buy it soon!
My favorite is Audrey, Wait…anyone that hasn’t read it needs to!
This is a good list of beach books, April–exactly what I think of when I think of beach books. I’ve heard of most of them, but I’ve not read any of them. That’s not because these aren’t good books, but more because I’m not really a beach-book kind of person. Which made for an interesting challenge when I came to compile my Top Ten Tuesday list… 🙂
Usually do not do contemp YA but this list is great. Already put some on my hold list at the library.
Thanks for stopping by my list.
Got a kick out of your post title. 🙂 Also, I read books on a crappy blanket in my backyard, too. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend a summer afternoon.
Fun-looking list! I’ve yet to read these. The cover for Past Perfect looks like so much fun. I’d never heard of Awkward, but it sounds interesting, too.
Ahh, your Beach Reads list is very similiar to my TBR list…especially Perfect Chemistry and PLL!
I love the Pretty Little Liar series! Adding Forget You to my TBR list. Thanks for stopping by!
aaarh, don’t add more to my to read list!
I just love Jennifer Echols and her books are so great to read during the summer! Great choices this week 🙂
Crystal @ Elegantly Bound Books
I love beach reads! I had Past Perfect in my hand at the bookstore and went with Beauty Queens instead since it just came to paperback (and became one of my favorite books ever).
I loved Perfect Chemistry probably moreso after reading it. It’s kind of a typical tale: bad boy meets good girl, but I really like the attitude of the Fuentes brothers and the use of Spanglish. I think it’s a great companion novel to an equally dorky but fun movie From Prada to Nada 🙂
Perfect Chemistry! Wow. That’s a hot book. Nice choice. Laying in the sun, cocktail firmly in hand, dreaming of Alex Fuentes. Now that sounds like a plan;)
Your list is basically my “it’s on my shelf and why the hell haven’t I read them yet” list!! All but PLL…
Forget You looks like it needs to get bumped up to the top of my sitting on my backporch pretending I’m somewhere better reads ASAP from your description though!!
Oh man… I remember reading your review of Forget You (and then getting the song stuck in my head too) and telling myself that I NEED TO READ IT. Thank you again for the reminder, hahah. If I ever make it to a beach or a pool this summer, I’m totally putting that book on the top of the list!
Also, yay for The Princess Diaries! 🙂
I am thinking that I need to start reading more contemporary! All these sound great, although I haven’t read any of them yet. I DID see the MOVIE The Princess Diaries. That’s like the same thing, right? 😉
Thanks for stopping by my TTT!
Love The Princess Diaries and Perfect Chemistry. Really looking forward to reading Sean Griswold’s Head and MY Life, The Theatre, and Other Tragedies. They sound fun!
What a fun list! I’ll have to check these out, because, for example, I absolutely love to swoon over nice people.
Ok, OMG. There are so many awesome books on your list. We should beach together because we could TOTALLY share books and it would be super. But can I just tell you that I FREAKING FLIPPED over color war? STOP IT. Past Perfect sounds so cute and has been on my TBR forever. I MUST read it soon. Same thing with The Princess Diaries. But DANG. Color war. That was the SHIZZ at my high school.
I already love the sound of My Life, The Theater And Other Tragedies. Great title! And Awkward has me interested. A geeky main female character? Where was she during my teenage years?! I could have done with a narrator like that!
Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment. Your list is great. I love all of your choices. 🙂
– Beckie @ Bittersweet Enchantment