Let's Talk: Favourite Summer Reads

Friday, June 7, 2013




Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!
What are some of your all-time favourite summer reads?

From the very beginning of this blog, contemporary fiction has been of an iffy topic for me. I'm extremely particular with the contemps that I really want to give a fair shot, and I don't think that's changed too much in 3 years of blogging. However, there's something to be said with contemporary books as summer reads. Is it just me, or are beachy summer days just the perfect time to try those contemps you might otherwise avoid like the plague (because of your pesky prejudices...of course)?

That said, some of my all-time favourite summer reads encompass all genres and, really, they're those go-to books that I'll put in my beach bag time and time again. For example:

Clockwise from top left:

A. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar 
B. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
C. Between by Jessica Warman
D. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
E. Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar
F. Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

All of these books work perfectly for me as a summer beach-bag read. They're a mix of paranormal, beautiful and powerful contemps and books with great characters with whom I can relate. That, in a nutshell, is what makes a summer read for me. I want to be transported somewhere else, and I want to really feel something. that's what summer's all about, right?! What makes a perfect summer read for you, and why?

23 comments:

  1. I tend to stick to light and cute reads during summer vacations. You can enjoy the stories without having to put too much of your soul into it- perfect for when i'm lazily hanging out under the sun!

    - Ellie at The Selkie Reads Stories

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    1. I totally agree with that, Ellie! I think I like contemps in general in the summer because they get my whole heart going! :)

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  2. Nice feature! I haven't read any of the books you listed above, but I am particularly interested in Raw Blue and In Between. Paranormal is a genre I enjoy, so it's great to hear that you enjoyed them as summer reads. :) Thanks for putting them on my radar!

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    1. Between is a fabulous book, Megan. I think it's totally underrated, but I found it to be a profound cross-genre read. I also think you'd just love Raw Blue! I can't recommend it enough :)

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  3. You know, I've only read a couple of those -- guess I need to pack my beach bag and head out for some reading time! I WILL read Raw Blue!

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  4. I love your picks for the Summer Melissa. I like how they have a nice Summery vibe going on, but also deals with deep meaningful issues too. I have a favourite stack that I like to turn to over the Summer. My favourite authors which I turn to are Meg Cabot and Sophie Kinsella. :)

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  5. RAW BLUE! My love for that book is just epic. Really all of Kirsty's books are epic, so I can't really go wrong with her. I've only read the first book in the Fuentes brothers series by Simone Elkeles, so I think maybe it's time to branch out and read Leaving Paradise as well before I pick up Wild Cards. Can't wait!

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  6. My favorite summer reads tend to be fluffy and quick. I'm partial to contemporaries to begin with (although I'll read a well-written paranormal/dystopian/adult--any well-written book period). I recently picked up Twenty Boy Summer from my library, but haven't read it yet. Fun post! I love summer reading!!

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  7. I love books that are light and airy during the summer. I've heard good things about Sarah Ockler - any suggestions which of hers I should start with?

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  8. Hmmm, summer reads... I'm not really a fan of fluffy stories or chick lit, but I used to reread The Count of Monte Cristo every summer, because that's when I had the time. :)
    As for this summer, I'm looking forward to reduce my tbr pile a little as well as some new releases.

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  9. I haven't read all of these, but Kirsty Eagar's books are defintely on the dark side, which is why I adore them. People had such mixed feelings about Night Beach, but I loved it more than I can say.
    Honestly, I can't think of a decent summer read except for Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, and A Little Wanting Song, too. Her books always make me smile.

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  10. I have been wanting to get my hands on Raw Blue for some time now. I must remedy that.

    My faves vary depending on my mood. Sometimes I go for something silly or something dark and paranormal for the summer. Just depends on what is catching my eye at the time.

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  11. I remember freaking out when I found Raw Blue in my local used bookstore for only like 4 bucks... and haven't picked it up since. However, I AM going to the beach tomorrow (how wonderfully convenient! ;)), so I think that'll be the book I'll pack. It seems deep, and since I've had it for a while anyways, I may as well pick it up.

    I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Twenty Boy Summer, honestly, and I totally agree that it's a great summer read. I've been meaning to check out Between for a while, so I'll have to swing by the library and pick it up sometime this summer.

    Thanks for such a lovely list, Melissa! <3

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  12. I wasn't a huge fan of Night Beach, but Raw Blue and Twenty Boy Summer are PERFECT summer reads! Great list, Melissa - I have to check out some of the other titles you mentioned! :)

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  13. I loooooved Raw Blue!!! I was lucky enough to be part of a book tour, but sadly, they don't sell the title here :(

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  14. I haven't read any of these books but Twenty Boy Summer is definitely on my TBR list for this summer! Have you heard of The Summer I Turned Pretty? I read it earlier this year and I got that feeling you were talking about, where I felt transported to the setting. That trilogy is now one of my favorite series that I would definitely read again. It definitely is a summer read :)

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  15. Raw Blue is amazing. And now I'm wondering why I've never picked up Night Beach. When I think of summer reading, I always go with Along for the Ride or The Truth About Forever. Really, any Sarah Dessen book.

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  16. I finally bought a copy of Raw Blue. Yay me! I really enjoyed Between too. My favourite read so far this summer has been Nantucket Blue. Loved that one!

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  17. I actually haven't read any of these. I may have to buy some of them though as it's almost summer time for me! :)

    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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  18. Love your blog! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am now following you back!
    Free Spirit Booksa

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  19. Sarah Dessen books are my summer reads especially This Lullaby and The Truth About Forever since they take place in the summer (I think most of her books do although I know Dreamland is an exception and I think Just Listen is too.)

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  20. Yes! Agreed on Sea Change. I love love love SC. I love the small beach town feel and sweet simple love story.

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  21. I've actually not read any of these books, which is a bit of a shock! I do mean to read Twenty Boy Summer though, as that one really comes highly recommended :)

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