Books by the Beach: Five Contemporary Australian Reads
It’s December down under, and warm weather and leisurely days are upon us. Whether you're lounging at the beach, soaking up the sun in your backyard, or simply looking for a way to beat the heat, there's no better way to cool off than by diving into a good book. We’ve compiled a list of recommendations by contemporary Australian authors for your summer enjoyment. These are a handful of books that in their nature or titles have some reference to the sun, salt or the ocean. Grab your sunscreen and a cold drink and settle in for a literary adventure. Happy reading!
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Scorcher
Tim Ross
A digestible collection of summertime stories by comedian and designer Tim Ross. Interspersed with archival imagery of summers gone by, each story feels distinctly Australian and evokes a strong sense of nostalgia. You can feel the scorching heat. The ideal read for a sweltering hot day.
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Cherry Beach
Laura McPhee-Browne
Chronicling a friendship that spans years and continents, Cherry Beach is a queer romance that follows two women as they move from the suburbs of Melbourne to Canada. The novel captures the intimacy of friendship and the yearning that comes from unexpressed feelings, whilst speaking to the exploration and confusion of early adulthood. Read this if you want to immerse yourself in a story about friendship and longing.
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Salt
Bruce Pascoe
A collection of stories and essays spanning the length of Bruce Pascoe’s fifty-year career. Pascoe, who is a Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmanian man, began his writing career in the 1970s and has since published a wide range of works, including novels, non-fiction books, and essays. Through his research and writing, Pascoe seeks to challenge the dominant narrative of Indigenous history and to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. Read this if you want feel connected to Australia’s landscape, culture and history.
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Sunbathing
Isobel Beech
An unnamed young woman retreats to the Italian countryside as she grieves the loss of her father to suicide. Languid summer days pass as she processes her feelings and pieces together memories. Sunbathing delves into the ways in which the desire to escape and grieve in solitude can be at odds with the constant connectivity of the digital age. Read this for a sensitive portrayal of grief and life on the internet, set amongst the gentle backdrop of Italy in the summertime.
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I Said the Sea Was Folded
Erik Jensen
A series of love poems by Erik Jensen, the founding editor of the Saturday Paper, reflecting on his relationship with his partner, Evelyn. The poems piece together a fabric of memories over the first three years of their time together. They speak to the complexity of understanding one another. Read this for a tender, simple and honest portrayal of love and relationships.
