Beach Reading

Skip the Us Weekly! With Washingtonians heading out of the super humidity every weekend to get some R&R oceanside, now is your perfect chance to catch up on all of that reading that you always wanted to do but didn't have the time. An avid reader myself, but also suspect of having a mild case of ADD, the following reads are easy, fun, thought-provoking, and definite page turners, that won't have you popping Aderol in order to finish. Whether you're rocking your jorts and tramp stamp in VA Beach (pronounced: vah) or whistling to the cabana boy in Bethany, forget about where Angelina Jolie did her charity work this past weekend and escape into one of these phenomenal reads:

• Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden: If you haven't heard of this one, you've obviously been living under a rock. But escape into old-school Japan and prepare yourself to be startled by this unbelievable culture that shaped the narrator's life. And don't pop in the movie 'til after you've finished.
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: Originally written in Portuguese, this modern-day fable has been translated into over a hundred languages, and carries a message of love that is easy to read and will touch anyone (not to get mushy on you). Not exactly the type of beach reading for Dewey Beach, FYI. More for a soul-searching family vaca.
• How to Make Love Like a Porn Star by Jenna Jameson: Though I doubt Her Highness actually wrote this, this autobiography is fun, fast, long, and will take you into a fantasy world of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. You won't be able to put down this peak into the adult industry (I read this in India, ironically enough).
• Choke by Chuck Palahniuk: Totally something to read if you want to sound intelligent around your boyfriend. Just don't completely destroy his copy like I did and haven't heard the end of, since. Nevertheless, a creative read that totally captures the Palahniuk-essence that he uses in each of his works. 
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: I don't know if you'd call it beach reading, but it's by far one of my favorite books of all time. Sneak into prohibition America and enjoy the flapper parties and cigarette holders all from your towel on Rehobeth Beach. 
• The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler: You will be blown away by this former Capitol Hill intern's anonymous sexcapades with prominent DC figures, all captured through her blog (don't get any ideas). After being caught, Cutler documents all of her wild adventures into this non-fiction guilty pleasure read. 
• The Beach by Alex Garland: Before Leonardo DiCaprio went shirtless through Thailand on the big screen, Garland put together a New York Times Bestseller that stole the hearts of people everywhere. Go on this adventure, and pretend you're in Phuket instead of Seaside Heights. 
• Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block: Yes, it is a Young Adult read, but it's incredible. Enter a parallel universe known as Shangri-L.A., and get ready for all hell to break loose in this psycadellic tale of love, homosexuality, glitter, and witch babies. 
• The Kite Runner by Marc Foster: I love this book so much. Though the movie is great, skip it, and enjoy this super-descriptive story about friendship
• The Watchmen by Alan Moore: I never thought the day would come that I would like a comic book. But Moore's graphic novel is one that I've read multiple times and have continued to develop new interpretations with each read. Though the movie was weak, this book is one of my favorites ever. 

I could go on and on, but these are my top ten favorite easy reads. And while I love looking at pictures of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale in the playground with their children, I do force myself to step it up a little when I'm laying on the beach. At least for a little bit.