Which Summer Beach Read Are You?

You Should Read Chick Lit

‘Pink books' — as we like to call them — might seem a little silly to some, but once you find the right one, it's almost as if you've found a new best friend in the main character. They're fun, light, scandalous, and easy to get caught up in on your summer vacation. Not to mention, these pastel page-turners make great outfit accessories. Other chick lit you should check out: Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan, Last Night at Château Marmont by Lauren Weisberger (the latest from the woman who brought us The Devil Wears Prada), or anything by Emily Giffin (we vote you start with Something Borrowed to prep for the recently released movie by the same name).

You Should Read the Classics

Sure, new things are always wonderful, but there's nothing quite as lovely as a classic. Getting lost in the pages of a favorite, classic novel never fails to remind you why it is such a classic: Its characters and drama and lessons seem timeless. And honestly, one could never tire of reading the opening line of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." Some lesser-known classics that we think are worth picking up: Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

You Should Read Fantasy

Just like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, you're always craving a fantasy or an adventure. No matter what beach you're lying on, a good imagination and a fantasy adventure novel can transport you to a far-off land that is easy to get lost in and even easier to consume your every thought until it's finished. A few of our favorites: The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly, the entire Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien, and, of course, every Harry Potter novel by J.K. Rowling.

You Should Read Trendsetter Fiction

If you haven't had a chance to pick up whatever Oprah's book club has been reading, now's the time! You're seeing the familiar covers all over town for a reason: The characters are deep, the stories are intoxicating, and the plotlines leave you begging for more. Some of the best trendsetter fiction: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenenger, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, and the entire Stieg Larsson series — the penman behind The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

You Should Read Non-Fiction

Sure, it's fun to get wrapped up in fun characters but the real fun is, well, when it's real. There's nothing better than falling in love with a story only to discover it's not only true but that it could actually happen to you. Authentic authors likely strike your fancy because their stories mean more to you when they're legit. A handful worth picking up: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells, Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard, and Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. By Sam Wasson, which is basically everything you've ever wanted to know about the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's.