The Kite Runner, The Life of Pi, The Secret Life of Bees, The Lovely Bones

How about The Rum Runner, Driving Mr. Albert (nonfiction, funny about Albert Einstein's brain), and almost anything by Bill Bryson (very funny travel books) (except his small continent book which isn't good), anything by Anita Shreve (romantic soulful), and Paul Theroux (travel, nonfiction, informative). I heard that Lovely Bones was quite difficult to read, despite being a great book and I do vouch for Kite Runner.

Bryson is terrific! If you like him and want a rustic version of him get Tim Cahill's collections, Jaguars Ripped my Flesh, Pass the Butterworms Please, A Wolverine is Eating My Leg. These are all collections of short stories. Great for the beach!

Suggesting reading material is a wonderful idea - Can anyone recommend a book that tops Herman Wouks "Don't Stop the Carnival"? What laughs- a wonderful read while on the beach.

I guess I have more ordinary tastes for beach books. I leave things like Freakonomics and Over the edge of the World, about magellen's voyage home and read all the latest mysteries, like Two Dollar Bill, The Closers,Deshi, and Exact Revenge Regardless, enjoy a few good books!

good old da vinci code and angels and demons

Well, when I was around my daughter (27year old) and under her influence I enjoyed reading The Nanny Diaries,The Devil Wears Prada, Confessions of a Shopaholic,The Shopaholic Takes Manhatten,The Shopaholic Gets Married.
Then my daughter announced she's pregnant and suddenly I was feeling my age and started reading The Hot Flash Club and The Hot Flash Club Rides Again! 🙂
Both groups are light hearted fun reads.
I agree with Ingrid--- Nothing beats Herman Wouks' Don't Stop the Carnival!
I'm going to look into Bill Bryson-- I love funny travel books. You can find them in the library, but they tend to be older. Doesn't anyone write about their funny adventures while traveling anymore?

A book that I discovered recently is "An embarrassment of mangoes: a Caribbean interlude" by Ann Vanderhoof. It is a non-fiction book that people in the carribean would appreciate.

I've always been curious about this question. Do most people really read different kind of books in summer than they do the rest of the year?

Nick, I am a teacher, and summer is when I actually have time to read something other than education-related material. So, yes--I do read different kinds of books in summer.

I read well over 200 books a year, buying hardcover books of my favorite. Publishers hold certain books back for May/june publication as the reading public is more likely to buy these books for 'beach' reading. It makes little difference to me on the time of year but I do hold the funny ones fot vacation. Allow me to add,for good, humorous caper/mystery style books Donald E Westlake's Dortmunder books, like Road to ruin or Parnell Hall's series featuring Stanley Hastings.

The Today Show did a segment of good summer reads a couple of weeks ago. You might be able to find some suggestions on their website...

I recommend anything by James Patterson.

ALL of David Baldacci's books including the one I just finished - Hour Game.

Good lawyer drama - John Martel - Conflicts of Interest - I kept reading and finished 3/4 of it during one afternoon/early evening.

Little more edgey - Elmore Leonard - Be Cool.

Any book is great on the beach, why just read travel related books because you're travelling? ? ?

How about Carl Hiaasen? Okay, not so much about the caribbean but florida, etc. and pretty damn funny

Sidnie - you "read" my mind on Carl Hiassen. I read "Stormy Weather" while on our VI vacation in April = a GREAT beach read about the mayhem that ensues in FLA after a hurricane. Very Elmore Leonard like.
Now I have to get more by him - what are your favs?

If you like Hiaasen, try Tim Dorsey. same sort of skewed view. My favorite book to re-read while in the Virgins is Thunderpoint by Jack Higgins. It is largely set on St John in Caneel Bay.

I would highly recommend Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER series. If you are a chick, you will love them. There is history, adventure, s_x, romance and all the good stuff we girls like. I can't put them down, and since there are, I think, 5 currently available, you'll have something to read for your whole stay!! If any of you have read these books, wouldn't you agree that you would like to be stranded on a Caribbean isle with Jamie?!?! I would!

I recommend Glassbottom boat by Willie Wilson. It's a great read.