Two books that were recommended that I wouldn't recommend to anyone: Ya-Ya Sisterhood and the Nanny Diaries. But, to each his own.

I just finished reading Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. I didn't think I'd like it at all, but it was wonderful... Very relaxing, and makes you want to move to Italy and eat a lot of fresh food!

Of course, my favorite is Catch-22, but that might be a little heavy for beach reading...

Being at the beach is the perfect time to work on a language, using a "walkman" and tapes, plus a small book. Maybe even a workbook, if you're really ambitious. This is the itme I brush up on french and italian, and get ready for trips in the late fall and winter. Very relaxing to do it on the beach or early in the morning with coffee on the screen porch.