Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "beach-read"
The Beach Read
T-shirts, cut-offs, a pair of thongs—and a book to read on the beach!
We'll be having fun all summer long…
(My twist on the lyrics to “All Summer Long” by the Beach Boys; 1964)
An Indie author who writes Contemporary Women’s Fiction, I’m sensitive about the coined phrase “beach read” for its tendency to peg a novel such as mine a “quick and easy read”.
Channeling Joe Pesci playing the role of Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas—“Quick and easy, how? What’s quick and easy about my book?”
Citing a phrase from the pre-publication review by Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review:
“Now, one normally expects that mention of a food-garnished women's book will make for light, breezy beach reading; but An Enlightening Quiche is anything but vapid, offering hard-hitting insights and reflections from its very first chapter.”
http://tinyurl.com/j3na3h4
Hence, I avoid labeling my book “Chick Lit” which has potential to conjure visions of cocktail glasses, designer handbags, and high heels typical of the breezy, beach read.
Fine and dandy, if you prefer a light literary jaunt.
I prefer to classify my book as “Lit with Grit” because it embraces realism and portrays women over forty who grapple with, confront, and overcome their personal dilemmas to become empowered in making profound life changes for the better. My novel is descriptive, introspective, and explores the gamut of inner conflicts: convention vs. rebellion; fate vs. free will; loyalty vs. betrayal; unbridled love vs. sacrifice; death--inevitable or tragic?
Under my umbrella, I believe that a book in any genre constitutes a beach read as long as it’s a page-turner you can get lost in while basking in the sunshine on the sand. So, besides toting beach towels and a blanket, suntan lotion, bottled water, and snacks—what book are you packing?
Eva’s Byte #425 – The Tastes of Summer READING
It’s time to roll out the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. More than soda, pretzels and beer cited in this seasonal song of cheer (“Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer” by Nat King Cole; released – May, 1963)—it’s:
Lobster rolls, barbecue, wine coolers, potato salad, watermelon, hitting the beach—and, the beach read.
Without getting into the history of the term’s emergence in 1990, a beach read is generally considered escapist reading while enjoying a day at the beach. Content is usually engaging and light. Even better if the book has a beach setting. The genre is open to speculation. Yet, me thinks, even the wide latitude probably rules out True Crime, for one.
Nowadays, my beach days entail being on the go trekking along the shore for sea glass. However, when I recall past years of sprawling on the sand, slathered in baby oil and soaking up the rays—my companionable books defied typecasting. They defined my year-round preferential reading tastes for dark fiction and true crime.
Don’t sugarcoat the lemonade, I say!
So, does the season of summer with its predilection for carefree days alter your taste in reading?
In the capacity of a writer who strives for unflinching realism, I’m rolling out the draft of Chapter 36 (755 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us enjoy the days of summer, savoring the tastes of good food and engaging books.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Lobster rolls, barbecue, wine coolers, potato salad, watermelon, hitting the beach—and, the beach read.
Without getting into the history of the term’s emergence in 1990, a beach read is generally considered escapist reading while enjoying a day at the beach. Content is usually engaging and light. Even better if the book has a beach setting. The genre is open to speculation. Yet, me thinks, even the wide latitude probably rules out True Crime, for one.
Nowadays, my beach days entail being on the go trekking along the shore for sea glass. However, when I recall past years of sprawling on the sand, slathered in baby oil and soaking up the rays—my companionable books defied typecasting. They defined my year-round preferential reading tastes for dark fiction and true crime.
Don’t sugarcoat the lemonade, I say!
So, does the season of summer with its predilection for carefree days alter your taste in reading?
In the capacity of a writer who strives for unflinching realism, I’m rolling out the draft of Chapter 36 (755 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us enjoy the days of summer, savoring the tastes of good food and engaging books.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
