Recommend some good beach reading?

[SpeedwayDemocrat]

I'm headed for the beach (Jamaica) with the Jokerman next weekend, and am looking for some recommendations on good books to read. I'm trying to avoid anything too serious or political, as the current state of politics depresses me. Anyone have any suggestions for good fiction or non-fiction titles? I'd prefer something without lawyers (John Grisham, for example), as I get enough of them at work daily. In advance, thanks for your suggestions, mon!
MAXIMUM RESPECT!

[Beer Snob-50]

1. I can recommend some good ones:

Don't Stop the Carnival by Herman Wouk
Tales from Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet
Any of the Harry Potter Books
Pirate looks at 50 also by Jimmy Buffet

[SpeedwayDemocrat]

5. Thanks for the great suggestions!

I'm headed to the bookstoer tomorrow to check these out. Again, thanks!

[NoSheep]

2. Have you read A Cast of Killers?

It is a true murder mystery. Old book but very good. Also, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was another page turner for me. That's all I have as I don't read much fiction. Have a ball!

[bif]

3. "Shadow of the Wind"

I guarantee you won't be able to put it down. You just have to find out what happens. I just read it and loved it.

[Earth_First]

4. Here's one I'd suggest:

[Hissyspit]

6. I don't read beaches. I'd rather see their movies.

Doesn't take as long.

[Rowdyboy]

7. If you've never read Donna Tartt, she has two excellent novels....

"The Secret History" and "The Little Friend". I'm reading "the second of those now and it is superb.

[southlandsusie]

8. good vacation reads

Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffeneggar
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Life of Pi by Yann Martel

All have some seriousness (and humor) but are not ultimately depressing. And I also agree about the Harry Potter series -- they are the best for escaping on a vacation!

[Thtwudbeme]

9. I was not able to read in Jamaica!

What part are you going to?

And, I always recommend Pat Conroy or Larry McMurtry---two of my favorite authors.

[SpeedwayDemocrat]

10. Fourth Trip - Montego Bay this time

First two trips were to Negril (best beach in the world, but the Jamaican bus ride is from Montego to Negril is a killer), then a stop in Ocho Rios (too many cruise ships).
This time, we're about 30 minutes outside of Montego Bay at an all-inclusive resort with their own mini island (and that all-inclusive thing includes golf - yipee!)
So many great suggestions - thanks to everyone!

[KitchenWitch]

11. I know this has lawyers but re read "To Kill a Mockingbird"

[reyd reid reed]

12. Depends on how 'out there' you want to get

Time Travelers Wife is excellent.

Kite Runner is outstanding.

If you want light, fluffy, mindless entertainment, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series is great. Laugh-out-loud funny. Carl Hiassen's Basket Case is funny, too.

[Burma Jones]

13. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

Funny, Poignant, and maybe the best book ever written about New Orleans

[bikebloke]

14. Greg Iles

I'm reading "Turning Angel" right now. But not on a beach, damnit. His earlier works are all good popcorns reads and are out in paperback for toting to the beach.

If you fancy historical swashbucklers, then try Bernard Cornwell. His Arthurian trilogy is good.

[Serial Mom]

15. Always read light, "fluff" while on vacation ...

It is so nice to sit (especially on a nice warm beach - thunder, lightning, snow, sleet and freezing rain happening here right now) and read books that are easy reading and "fluff"!

I liked The Guardian by Nicolas Sparks - not great writing, but gets your mind off news!

A great read is The Miracles of Santo Fico by D. L. Smith - takes you to small towns of Italy and a good story.

Plainsong is a touching story by Kent Haruf (I think they tried to make a TV movie about this, but not sure).

And I loved an older book (never saw the movie), The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx (I think it won a Pulitzer).

I envy you!!

[tinfoilinfor2005]

16. I just finished "Wicked" by Gregory MacGuire

The show is now on Broadway. It was fun and the writing is excellent.