PENINSULA PAGES

by Patrice Riordan McCannby McCann

Summer is finally here.  What are you tossing in your beach bag?  Well, I have a few suggestions for you.  These are all great beach reads – easy and fun books that will keep you flipping the pages as you dig your toes in the sand!  Don’t forget the sunscreen and a frosty drink.

“Drowning” by T.J. Newman

This is the second book for the flight attendant turned author and, once again, I was compulsively turning the pages. Flight 1421 departs Honolulu and crash lands into the ocean within minutes. Many passengers and crew survive the impact and quickly negotiate survival. However, the engine then explodes, and twelve passengers are trapped inside as the plane slowly sinks. We follow along as the Navy and Coast Guard mount a rescue mission. It felt like I was reading a Bruce Willis movie from the late 1980s (that’s a compliment). Thumbs up for this one – just don’t read it on a plane! Also, check out T.J. Newman’s first novel, “Falling.”

“The Last Train to Key West” by Chanel Cleeton

It’s Labor Day Weekend 1935, and three women are in the Florida Keys. One of the most potent hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. is coming. Helen is almost nine months pregnant, and she has an abusive husband. Mirta just arrived in America from Cuba with her new husband. Former NYC debutante, Elizabeth, is searching for someone. Their paths cross as each of these women try to solve their problems. They are racing against the weather though, as the hurricane is quickly approaching Florida. This book was fun and well-written. I loved the Depression-era details as well as the tropical vintage Florida setting. Great easy read! Thumbs up!

“Vacationland” by Meg Mitchell Moore

College professor Louisa is on sabbatical, and she has a deadline looming. However, she also has three kids who are off for the summer and a preoccupied husband who is trying to do podcasts. Louisa leaves Brooklyn to head to her parents’ summer home in Maine. She’s certain she will spend her days there writing her book. Alas, things never quite go as planned. Her father has Alzheimer’s. There’s also a big family secret coming to light. This book beautifully captures the relationships that we all have with our parents – as children and then as our parents’ age. I finished reading this book with tears on my face. It was so well written. Thumbs up!

“The Unsinkable Greta James” by Jennifer E. Smith

Greta James is an indie rock star who is mourning the sudden loss of her mother.  She has a public breakdown that, of course, goes viral. Greta has always been at odds with her stoic father, Conrad.  He predicted her weird rock star life would not last, and now his predictions are coming true. Greta’s parents were set to go on an Alaskan cruise and, somehow, Greta agrees to go with her dad. On this journey with her father, Greta sets out to heal the rift between them. They both learn new things and meet new friends along the way. This was an original and well-written book. Thumbs up!

Happy Summer! Happy Reading!