Best Summer Vacation Beach Books for Guys Looking to Relax and Unplug

Photo by Link Hoang on Unsplash

Summer is around the corner and with it is the opportunity to put toes in sand and backsides in beach loungers. Other than fruity drinks and Island Ales there is one sure companion to a day in the sun….. A good book. From my point of view, when on a beach, there is nothing better than a good best seller.... except.... maybe.... a novel that is pure mindless entertainment. That’s right. Sand, sun and waves combined with a bucket of ice and Red Stripe goes down best with a good mindless book. This list is full of my favorite authors, titles and series that allow you to unplug and consume a page turner that will fly by as fast as you can empty your umbrella drink.

Before we begin, I have to discuss my new favorite way to chill pool side, or below a beach umbrella. The discovery of easy to consume adventure fiction definitely upped my vacation experience, but I have taken it to a whole new level by indulging in this genre via audio book. If you thought lux vacation meant having your drink buckets delivered pool side by a waiter, wait until you mix drink delivery with a narrator reading to you via ear phones.

OK sunscreen applied, drink pored, hammock hung now let’s get down to the business of talking how to unplug our brains with some easy reads.

A classic: You will notice a theme amongst my choices. For me, when I am soaking up island sun I turn to the genres of cloak and dagger, thriller or at least adventure with suspense. For our first author I present Ian Fleming.

Martini shaken not stirred.

Mr. Fleming was a Naval Intelligence Officer turned Author. Ian even planned a WWII military operation while in Her Majesty’s Secret Service entitled Golden Eye. That title became a huge Bond movie and Nintendo game in the 90s. In my mind nothing goes better poolside than adventure that takes you on a whirlwind tour of European countries, tropical islands and underwater submarine bases. All the while, meeting super spy type women, on the beach in Bikinis. Dr. No, Gold Finger, Thunder Ball are just a few of my favorites. If you love the movies read or better yet listen to the books at the beach for a fun day of unplugging and relaxing.

Jason Bourne: Robert Ludlam wrote the original three novels:

• Bourne Identity

• Bourne Supremacy

• Bourne Ultimatum

The story was picked up by Eric Van Lustbader who wrote 12 more novels. Additional books have been added by author Brian Freeman. A Ludlam spinoff series known as Paul Janson is also very good and a fine choice for some relaxed reading. To be honest, I have been reading the Paul Janson series on a few recent flights and enjoying the stories. If you have seen the Bourne films, you know Jason’s character, aka David, discovers he has unique skills without a memory of how he obtained them. As Jason is trying to piece together his past he is chased by shadowy assassins while trying to help a Canadian economist named Marie Jacques. The first three books are best read in order. The subsequent books by various authors can be picked up out of order similar to tuning into a random episode of a long running action drama on TV.

The Paul Janson Series consists of 4 books. Janson is a former assassin turned philanthropist who is hired as a free lancer from time to time when his particular skill set and experience are needed. Janson has a partner who is as beautiful as she is deadly. If you like a him and her team than this series is for you.

Lee Child: Jack Reacher has become a character that has received quite a bit of attention in the form of film and miniseries. Tom Cruise played the character’s first screen adaptation, and more recently the character has been portrayed by Alan Ritchson for Amazon’s adaptation of The Killing Floor. As a former member of the US Army’s military police, Reacher drifts from place to place finding dangerous situations and characters that put his skill set to the test. These books can be read out of order if you have seen the screen adaptations or understand the basic back story. My favorite title for the beach is Trip Wire. In this novel, Reacher finds himself in Key West digging pools by day and bouncing after dark. One thing leads to another and his former mentor’s daughter seeks him out to help her investigate one of her father’s last cases. The pair find themselves being hunted by a former military turned criminal businessman.

Jeff Abbott: Let’s talk about Adrenaline. Wow! What A thriller! Adrenaline was a summer great reads choice by both the Today Show and Good Morning America. So, I will consider myself having good taste in leisurely fiction with this pick. Adrenaline will take you on a thrill ride that lives up to its name’s sake. Sam Capra is our man in this novel and if you guessed he is former CIA then you win the prize. Sam’s wife may have been killed in an explosion and she may or may not have been in volved with the planning. Of course, the evidence points to Sam so he finds himself on the run looking to clear his name and find his wife and unborn child. Make sure you cool off with a few cannonballs into the pool but keep the drinks close so you do not have to go too far and put the book down for too long.

Wayne Stinnett: Last up is an honorable mention but I have to say that I have left books at home by the above authors or deleted them from my Audible library to make room for Wayne’s Caribbean Adventure series. What is better than lying in a hammock in the Florida Keys while reading a book about an ex-marine who’s base of operations is the middle keys? This series is available as audio books and I believe not available yet in print. I recommend starting at the beginning of the series and working your way through in order as each story builds off of the last.

Ok I think we have a great selection of material to put together a poolside toes in the sand vacation play list. I like to use Audible but there are many good audio book platforms available. I also prefer Bluetooth wireless ear buds paired to my smart phone.

My tip: use only one ear bud at a time. This leaves one ear open to listen to and interact with friends and family and keeps you listening longer between recharges. Besides you do not want to miss the waiter as he passes by calling for drink orders.

With that advice out of the way here is the list:

1) Adrenaline by Jeff Abbott

2) Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlam

3) Trip Wire by Lee child

4) Ian Fleming’s Thunder Ball

5) The Janson Directive Ludlam (posthumous)

6) Wayne Stinnett’s Caribbean Adventure Series

Scroll down and subscribe to our page to receive exclusive content, tips, tricks, and giveaways

Keep emptying the bottles of sunscreen.-Dan