This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Books in your Beach Bag

Hot books to keep cool by the pool.

When packing for vacation, leave room in the suitcase. Not for snowglobes, but for books. There's nothing better than getting lost in an amazing story.

It's like two vacations in one.

But, if you're not ready to remove one of the 17 pairs of shoes you've packedperhaps a Kindle or Nook, which can fit hundreds of books in one tiny electronic package, is your best option. And that means more room for actual souvenirs.

Find out what's happening in Roswellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here are a few current darlings of the publishing world:

"Bossypants" by Tina Fey

Find out what's happening in Roswellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This quick and frenetic new memoir by Tina Fey documents her life growing up, getting into comedy writing, hitting her stride on SNL, entering the world of motherhood and juggling it all as America's top funny lady.

"Dead Reckoning" by Charlaine Harris

If you're into HBO's True Blood series and haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse southern vampire book series that inspired it, now's a great time to jump in. "Dead Reckoning" is the 11th book in the series, a hardcover that follows Sookie's adventures among vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches and fae in small-town Louisiana. But if you're just starting out, start with the first book, "Dead Until Dark."

"Worth Dying For" by Lee Child

If you're into gritty books with pulse-pounding action, the Jack Reacher series might be for you. This is the 15th book following the hardscrabble hero, and reviewers liken Child's books to Die Hard on paper.  The first book in the series is called "Killing Floor." This one might make a good Father's Day gift for a dad who likes Rambo and the Dirk Pitt books by Clive Cussler.

"Water For Elephants" by Sara Gruen

This one has popped up as the "Eat, Pray, Love" of 2011. With Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon heating up the screen as illicit lovers in the circus. Reviewers say the the research is what makes the story so rich, with warmly written details that evoke the hidden magic of the circus. The romance is pretty hot, too.

"The Dark Enquiry" by Deanna Raybourn

The fifth book in the Lady Julia Grey series is due out on June 21, which gives you plenty of time to read the first four-- the first three are available in a Nook or Kindle bundle for only $9.99. These books cross a plucky romance heroine with a brooding mystery man in a well-researched and exciting historical setting. I'll admit it-- these are personal favorites and serious page-turners for readers who like their romance tempered with plenty of brains.

"A Game of Thrones" by George R. R. Martin

This is another amazing book recently brought into the spotlight by an HBO series. It's pure fantasy and brings together the best intrigue, magic, romance and adventure the genre has to offer. And it's part of a series, too, so you can keep occupied in the hammock all summer.

"The Iron Duke" by Meljean Brook

In a steampunk version of England riddled with clockworks and zombies, Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth has to fight both prejudice and bad guys, sometimes while still in a party dress. Then she's swept into piratical adventure, intrigue, and the arms of Rhys Traehaern, The Iron Duke. With a great mixture of romance, adventure, and sci-fi, "The Iron Duke" really captured my imagination-- and isn't as goofy as it sounds.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?