Not Just for the Beach

Years ago, I used to take the bus to the beach, arriving in the late morning before the sun and sand got too hot, and bringing a book along. In the summer of 1968, I read all four novels of Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet on Santa Monica Beach, near Lifeguard Station 12.

Now that I am retired, I don’t get up as early as I used to; but I still don’t like the heat of late afternoon on the sand. So I opt to read in the comfort of my apartment.

What do I like reading in the summer that I usually don’t read at other times of the year? Here is a quick summary, in no particular order:

• The mystery novels of John D. MacDonald (especially his Travis McGee novels), Carl Hiaasen, and Elmore Leonard set in Florida. There is something about the state that produces interesting villains.
• The 19th century travel books of Sir Richard F. Burton (no relation to the actor), which may be a little stiff and Victorian in their style, but, Lord, the man saw a lot. I used finished Goa and the Blue Mountains.
• I don’t know why, but I enjoy re-reading the novels of William Faulkner when the weather is most hot and sticky in Southern California. I just re-read Sanctuary.
• Science fiction and fantasy seem to be more fun during the summer. This year, I am re-reading Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and re-seeing all the Sir Peter Jackson films.
• While I am at it, let me put in a good word for my favorite sci-fi authors from Eastern Europe: Stanislaw Lem of Poland and Boris and Arkady Strugatsky of Russia. The Strugatsky Brothers’ Roadside Picnic is a super-great.
• I love to read books about India when it’s hot outside. Particularly interesting are the histories of William Dalrymple.
• Noir novels are always good, but have you ever tried reading French noir? Pascal Garnier, Boris Vian, and Jean-Patrick Manchette are excellent.

That’s all for now. I’m about to start re-reading some of Honoré de Balzac’s great fiction.