Y’all, it feels like ages since I read a book!! Lately I’ve spent my evenings getting caught up on Once Upon a Time with John on Hulu. It’s kind of fun that he’s old enough to watch shows with me now, but I didn’t realize how much I missed getting lost between the pages of a book. But I digress…
When I arrived at Some Beach, Sister had an autographed copy of Mary Kay Andrews’ newest book, The Weekenders, with a personalized note waiting on my bedside table.
She is one of my very favorite authors and I always look forward to her new releases. Many of them are set in Savannah, Atlanta and the South and all are good for some laughs, maybe a few tears, a little romance and a lot of Southern humor. One thing that set this one apart from the rest was that it also had a fantastic murder mystery as a key plot line! Sister and I had our very own “Some Beach Book Club” each reading it at same time :-)
Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Others come only for the weekends-and the mix between the regulars and “the weekenders” can sometimes make the sparks fly. Riley Griggs has a season of good times with friends and family ahead of her on Belle Isle when things take an unexpected turn. While waiting for her husband to arrive on the ferry one Friday afternoon, Riley is confronted by a process server who thrusts papers into her hand. And her husband is nowhere to be found.
So she turns to her island friends for help and support, but it turns out that each of them has their own secrets, and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens…in a murderous way. Cocktail parties aside, Riley must find a way to investigate the secrets of Belle Island, the husband she might not really know, and the summer that could change everything.
We are headed back to school in two weeks, but for those of you with more summer left, this is also a great read for the beach bag. I have never read a Mary Kay Andrews book that I didn’t positively adore.
I just ordered a paperback of Gone With the Wind and can’t wait to revisit an old favorite. It’s been eons!! I’d love to know what you’re reading.
xoxo
The Weekenders | On My Bedside Series
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I am reading Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld. It is a modern day story of Pride and Prejudice. So far it is cute …a bit different for Ms Sittenfeld.
Loved The Weekenders. Mary Kay Andrews never disappoints!
Love her books!
Sounds like a fun one for the beach. We still have plenty of summer vacation left up here. The kids don’t go back until after Labor Day! I recently finished reading Stars Over Sunset Boulevard by Susan Meissner and loved it. It inspired me to then order Gone with the Wind so I will be reading right along with you! It will be my first time though. I have only seen the movie. Right now I am about a quarter of the way through A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. It’s a quirky little story but entertaining so far! Enjoy your weekend!
Shelley
Have you read “Scarlet”? The sequel to Gone With the Wind? I’m reading it now.
Yes, but years ago! Thanks for the reminder though – I’ll reread after GWTW!
I loved The Weekenders! MKA is one of my favorite local authors- it is always so fun to read about streets, restaurants and shops I’ve visited! A few of my other local favorites are Wendy Wax and Emily Giffin. Emily Giffin’s newest one, First Comes Love is set in Buckhead :) I just picked up Falling by Jane Green today and so far I can’t put it down! I’m trying to cram in as many books as possible before school starts in a week! ;)
This sounds good! I’ll add it to my list. My summer reading has been sorely lacking… I take a book everywhere but rarely have time to read it. About the best I’ve been able to do is pre-read the books Ryan is reading for first semester ? (we start co-op classes in 2 weeks as well).
We are trying to send summer out in a big way, so my chances between now and then don’t look much better – hopefully after school starts I’ll have a little more time on my hands! xo
Sounds like a great beach read! I am going to have to get the Weekenders for our August vacation. I am reading The Nest right now for my book group and I love it!
I love MKA.
I just finished the new Emily Giffin. It was pretty good. I am reading A Man Called Ove which is really good so far. I also loved Being Mortal by Atul Gawande- not necessarily beach reading, but very powerful
Loved this book! Reading her book, Fixer Upper now. I’m a HUGE Elin Hildebrand fan for easy reads. They are all set in the Hamptons. Highly recommend!
That was a fun read!
I’m reading the Weekenders now and have read most of her books. I always have a stack of “To Read” books. My favorite author is Pat Conroy and have many signed copies. Still not over his passing. Hard to believe there will be no more books from him. I tend to read Southern authors as I miss my southern roots since moving out west. If you have not read Charles Martin pick up a copy of one of his books. All of his are great reads.
LOVED The Weekenders! If you haven’t yet, check out Elin Hilderbrand, she writes excellent summer reads, too!
Ah, so glad to read you enjoyed The Weekenders–our book club is reading it this month! And of course, Gone With the Wind has always been a favorite of mine especially since I live it that area–my husband actually has written a book called “Scarlett’s Neighbors” which is about his family ancestors in Fayette and Clayton County.
Love your blog everyday!!
That is SO interesting! I looked it up but it doesn’t seem to still be in print. Would love to read it!
Yikes, back to school already. We didn’t get out until the end of June so we still have some weeks of fun. I love MKA, also. And, had been lucky enough to get The Weekenders from the library. I have to say I was more a fan of her earlier books, especially the Callahan Garrity series. I wish she would revive that one. Savor these last, carefree days of summer vacation
If you haven’t read Dorothea Benton Frank’s books I highly recommend those. All are set in the islands near Charleston or nearby.
I just finished “Stars over Sunset Boulevard” by Susan Meissner and it is wonderful! I loved her first book “Secrets of a Charmed Life” too! My beach read was “Looking for Me” by Beth Hoffman and it was fabulous!! It was so beautifully written!
This is probably my fave MKA book!
Susan from GA
Hi Amanda,
Just wondered how your sister and her family came up with their beach house name of “Some Beach”?
We are building a lakehouse on Lake Oconee in Georgia and we are trying to come up with a unique homestead name.
Thanks! And live reading your blog :)
It’s a favorite song of theirs! Some Beach by Blake Shelton.
Oops! Meant LOVE your blog!