I am going to T&C in June primarily to chill out on the beach (staying at the Sands), eat and sip a few drinks. Does anyone have any good books they can recommend? They need to be fast reads, entertaining, but not too stupid (Except Carl Haisson, those are good stupid books). I like mysteries, suspense, and high drama.

Kellie

Douglas Preston/Lincoln Childs - all their books are gripping, mysterious, creepy and fast-moving - The Cabinet of Curiousities was particularly good. I just picked up Brimstone for my beach trip next month. I think it'll be a good hammock read.

I've been reading over the past several years Sue Graftons' alphabet series. I read R Is for Ricochet last May when we went to St. Thomas. Her new book S is for Silence is now out, but I'm waiting to read it until we go to Turks & Caicos in May.

definitely get a copy of jay lovelace's book "the carnival never got started". it about his experience trying to build and open a small resort on salt cay. informative and amusing. jimmy buffet's book "a salty piece of land" which fits none of your criteria except fast read.

One of my favorite beach activities is reading, so here's my list of great books that fits you want..
1. The Winner by David Baldacci
2. The Beach House by James Patterson
3. Honeymoon by James Patterson
4. The Firm by John Grisham
5. The Client by John Grisham
Sandy

Oh, this is the part where my DH and I argue over suitcase space...books! I love anything by James Patterson, whether it's Alex Cross, the Murder Club series or anything else! Love Lisa Gardener, Janet Evanovich...Stephanie Plum novels, Sue Grafton and Tess Gerritson(sp?). The Evanovich series is funny and is a murder/mystery type. I can't tell you how many times I have laughed out loud and caught myself being embarrased. All of the above mentioned authors are fast reads. For another lawyeer-type author, I like Lisa Scottoline. Of course, there is always Mary Higgins Clark and some of Joy Fielding.

KVR, Just finished it and it is great!
iw, all perfect beach reads! I love Evanovich and Patterson on the beach.

Carl Hiasson books

Harlan Coben books (Tell No One, Gone for Good)

Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

The Firm by John Grisham

thought of another one the takes place mainly in the islands and has all your other likes: the Betrayers by Harold Robbins.

Hi Kellie - When will you be at the Sands? We will be there from 06/24 - 07/01. For books I can recommend anything by Lisa Jackson.

Before I leave home and when I travel, I enjoy reading books about the region I'm visiting. For a light read along those lines, you might want to consider the book by Melinda Blanchard called A Trip to the Beach, which is set on the island of Anguilla and tells the story of how she and her husband sold everything in the States to move to Anguilla to open a restaurant. It's fun and light reading, and at least for me it was an eye-opener on why things are so much more expensive there. I don't think I've complained about food prices since I read it!

muylinda, I totally forgot about Lisa Jackson. I like her books, too.

Second Harlan Coben, but check out the Marlon Bolitar books - they are hilarious. Also, the McNally books by Lawrence Sanders. Both easy reads with amusing characters - mysteries. Any Robin Cook for medical mysteries. The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub is one of my all time favorites and a few by Tom Clancy - Hunt for Red October, Red Storm Rising, Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games - and anything by Dick Francis. I always go to Half Price Books and just start pulling stuff off of the bargain shelves. I can relate to the comment about suitcase space - I take 10 books for a week long trip.

Any Lee Child book is a great beach read. Robert Parker is a winner too. You might enjoy Michael Connelly or Stuart Woods books. They're all good. Happy reading!

Thanks for all the good suggestions. I've written them all down. I'll probably buy a few of these ahead of time and read a couple of chapters from each to see which will best occupy me on the beach.

I only read 1/2 of one of Sue Grafton's books. 'A' is for ??. I didn't find it to be very interesting, but maybe the later ones are better. I felt I had to start from the beginning though. Hate starting things in the middle.

Muylinda, I'll be in T&C in the first part of June so I'll miss you. I'll try to get back on the site before you leave and let you know about my trip.

Kellie

katolb90...I agree that the last few Sue Grafton books have not been as entertaining as the first ones. Janet Evanovich's series..One for the Money...is much more entertaining and they are a lighter read.

I agree about anything by Janet Evonovich, Sue Grafton & Lawrence Sanders!! Reading is the best part of vacation for me!!!

Honeymoon & Beachhouse by James Patterson

Didn't see a Beach House by Patterson. I saw Lake House. Is this one in the same book or were they just out of Beach House?

"Don't Stop the Carnival" by Herman Wouk.
It was written in the 60's about a NYC guy who bought a small resort on a Caribbean island. You start to understand what "island time" really is!

I also enjoyed "Desiring Paradise" by Karin W. Schlesinger. It is about a couple who visited STJ, decided they wanted to move there, what they did to get there and what their experiences were like, a true story.