Summer is here (and has been for a while), and with it comes so-called “beach reads.” These are easy reads that can vary from romance to comedy to thrillers to any kind of mix of these or more. What they all have in common is that these books are entertaining, and are not meant to be the next literary revolution. They are exactly what they sound like: books that you can throw in your purse, beach bag, or picnic basket, and just kick back at the beach to relax and enjoy them. Of course, to be honest, these types of books exist year round, but they seem to get a bigger plug and enjoy more popularity in the summer, when people take vacations and want to relax. Now, while I have read many more important works of literature--from Shakespeare to Milton to Ayn Rand--there is nothing like these light, breezy books when I just want to be entertained for a while.
Some people look down on these books. Perhaps they figure that any book that can be finished in an hour isn’t worth the hour it would take to read. I disagree. Given the choice, I would (usually) rather read for an hour than watch television, especially if one of these particular books is involved. And to me, any time someone would rather read than watch television, it should be encouraged. While this type of literature may not ever become a classic or even challenge me to think about what the author is trying to say about society, politics, or life in general, I am still reading. And what’s more, I am enjoying myself.
Too many people nowadays don’t take time to read. Part of the problem are all the fancy high tech gadgets out there today. How can a mere book compete with the Internet, high definition television, or even video games? With all sorts of devices out there ready to weave a story for you, to show you graphically so that you don’t even need your imagination, it’s no wonder many people--and you children--would rather pick up a video game controller than a book. And there’s also the time constraint. People today are busier than ever. It’s as if they don’t know what to do with themselves if they don’t have a regularly scheduled activity to attend. So between work, exercising, homework, school, going out, and any other number of activities, people don’t have much down time to devote to reading at all.
But how can this problem be fixed? Of course, there are never any easy solutions. But I think that something that would have a chance at being effective would be these very “beach reads” that so many look down upon. The reason I propose these books is twofold: first, they are easy and light to read, so that Mr. or Ms. Busy doesn’t have to take much time out to enjoy them. Second, they are entertaining and relaxing, and will not be “work” to read. The key to getting a person hooked on reading is finding something that stimulates and excites them. And that doesn’t necessarily mean reading something that the person struggles to understand conceptually as they go along. Instead, it just needs to be something that grabs and hold their attention. Something that they can’t and don’t want to put down until the final page. Something that makes them say, “Where’s the next book? What can I read next?” And who knows, someone who begins by reading thrillers or easy reads may progress to more “literary” works, and begin to enjoy those as well.
As well as prompting those not prone to books to read, these beach reads also add diversity to the literary world. Maybe not extreme diversity, but it does add something different nonetheless. And though I am sure there are better readers out there, I know that I personally enjoy sitting back and relaxing while reading these books, knowing that I will not have to think or be faced with any strong moral or ethical dilemma or crisis. I can kick back and just speed read, or even just take my time. I know that I don’t have to absorb every word, because I will not have to worry about missing little nuances in the story that pull the book together in the end. To me, this can be a bit of a relief if I have read many heavier books before I sit down with a simpler novel.
Sure, the plots do usually end of being predictable. And yes, there usually is a romance involved. In fact, there are usually two types of story lines that the romance usually takes on for these beach reads. Either (a) the character falls in love with the wrong person, gets hurt, then falls in love with the right person who has been standing on the sideline all along, or (b) the character meets the right person from the beginning, but they have to overcome some challenge or fight before they can live in everlasting happiness. I know this. And yet, I’m a sucker for these books. There is something comforting about knowing what is going to generally happen in the plotline. Why read it then, if I already can predict the outcome? Well, I read for the comedy, and for the little plot points and obstacles that vary from book to book. I read for the characters, who sometimes I can relate to, or who sometimes I can envision. And of course, I read these books for pure entertainment value, and for a simple escape. In essence, I read books for the same reason that people go to movies.
So next time you’re bored, and you consider rounding up some friends to go to a movie, think about sitting down with a book instead. With a book, you’ll get a much more in-depth plot, more developed characters, and more detail than any two hour movie can squeeze in. You’ll get a real story, not a watered down or condensed Hollywood version. And what’s more, you’ll be doing something good for your brain. Even if it’s not hard or challenging to read, you’re still reading. And, no matter what you’re reading, it’s a good thing. Oh, and don’t forget--if you get hooked this summer on these kinds of reads, they’re always around. Don’t put books down just because fall rolls around.
Michelle Mudry
Editorial Assistant
