Six For Sunday: Summer Reads – Books And The Seaside

I’m just back from a week at the seaside! I spent a week’s annual leave back home on the coast of Devon where I managed to read all the books from last week’s post!

Six for Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Steph at ALITTLEBUTALOT. You can find a list of prompts from July to December 2019 here

Books And The Seaside

As last week’s TBR worked out so well I’ve decided that I’m going to use this week’s post to create a new TBR filled with books linked to the seaside!

And Then I Turned Into A Mermaid – Laura Kirkpatrick

Molly Seabrook’s dull seaside life is turned upside down when she turns 13 and is let in on the family secret: she’s PART-MERMAID! While this does explain why her bonkers Mum is always skinny-dipping, Molly isn’t exactly thrilled. She already has to dress as a haddock to promote the family fish ’n’ chip shop, and now this? Growing up is hard enough without sprouting a fish tail in Double Maths, or disguising your gills from the cute boy at the ice cream kiosk.

Join Molly as she navigates the stormy sea of social awkwardness, best friend fallouts and the World’s Most Embarrassing Family – all while attempting to hide her (Very Weird) new double identity. Will she sink or swim? You’ll have to wait and SEA . . .

The first in a hilarious new series about family, friendship and one BIG fishy secret.  Comment

I’ve been looking forward to this one since I discovered Laura Kirkpatrick is actually Laura Steven! Not only does Molly turn into a mermaid she also works at the family’s fish and chip shop – you don’t get much more beachy!

The Bad Luck Lighthouse – Nicki Thornton

In solving the mystery of the Last Chance Hotel, Seth has discovered a bewildering new world of magic. But the truth about his mother’s fate and other secrets remain, stolen away with the firefly cage by his nemesis, the wicked Tiffany Bunn. Determined to chase her down – and prove himself as a magician – Seth and his cat Nightshade are quickly embroiled in the latest MagiCon case, a murder investigation at a deserted lighthouse …

Where there is a lighthouse there must be coastline, and coastline equals beaches ergo this counts! I also need to read The Last Chance Hotel but that doesn’t scream seaside to me so you get this one instead!

The Storm Keeper’s Island – Catherine Doyle

When Fionn Boyle sets foot on Arranmore Island, it begins to stir beneath his feet …

Once in a generation, Arranmore Island chooses a new Storm Keeper to wield its power and keep its magic safe from enemies. The time has come for Fionn’s grandfather, a secretive and eccentric old man, to step down. Soon, a new Keeper will rise.

But, deep underground, someone has been waiting for Fionn. As the battle to become the island’s next champion rages, a more sinister magic is waking up, intent on rekindling an ancient war.

Like the previous title I’m making assumptions here and opening I’m not widely off the mark. Islands equal coastlines which means beaches right… This sounds like an excellent read regardless!

The Summer Of Us – Cecilia Vinesse

A swoon-worthy story about five best friends on a whirlwind trip through Europe, perfect for fans of Jenny Han, Stephanie Perkins, and Jennifer E. Smith.

American expat Aubrey has only two weeks left in Europe before she leaves for college, and she’s nowhere near ready. Good thing she and her best friend, Rae, have planned one last group trip across the continent. From Paris to Prague, they’re going to explore famous museums, sip champagne in fancy restaurants, and eat as many croissants as possible with their friends Clara, Jonah, and Gabe.

But when old secrets come to light, Aubrey and Rae’s trip goes from a carefree adventure to a complete disaster. For starters, there’s Aubrey and Gabe’s unresolved history, complicated by the fact that Aubrey is dating Jonah, Gabe’s best friend. And then there’s Rae’s hopeless crush on the effortlessly cool Clara. How is Rae supposed to admit her feelings to someone so perfect when they’re moving to different sides of the world in just a few weeks?

Author Cecilia Vinesse delivers a romantic European adventure that embraces the magic of warm summer nights, the thrill of first kisses, and the bittersweet ache of learning to say goodbye to the past while embracing the future.

Well this cover shouts summer to me, and I’m hoping at least one of the European cities they visit is on the coast to justify my including it in this list!

Lampie and the Children of the Sea – Annet Schaap

Every evening Lampie the lighthouse keeper’s daughter must light a lantern to warn ships away from the rocks. But one stormy night disaster strikes. The lantern goes out, a ship is wrecked and an adventure begins.

In disgrace, Lampie is sent to work as a maid at the Admiral’s Black House, where rumour has it that a monster lurks in the tower. But what she finds there is stranger and more beautiful than any monster.

Soon Lampie is drawn into a fairytale adventure in a world of mermaids and pirates, where she must fight with all her might for friendship, freedom and the right to be different.

Lighthouses, mermaids and pirates! This book sounds like it’s all about the sea, and the cover is beautiful!

Raven Black – Ann Cleeves

Raven Black begins on New Year’s Eve with a lonely outcast named Magnus Tait, who stays home waiting for visitors who never come. But the next morning the body of a murdered teenage girl is discovered nearby, and suspicion falls on Magnus. Inspector Jimmy Perez enters an investigative maze that leads deeper into the past of the Shetland Islands than anyone wants to go.

I know this is a bit of a departure from the MG and YA books that came before it, this is the first in the Shetland series, I love the TV adaptation but I’ve never gotten around to reading the books. From the photos I’ve seen Shetland has some stunning rugged coastline that maybe one day I’ll venture up and brave for myself!

They were my #SixforSunday! If you’ve taken part leave a link to your post below and I’ll be sure to check it out!