Beach Reading

Beach holidays look like this: slow starts to the morning, an early morning run or walk (if you choose), easy and languid breakfasts, a collection of books to read and saunters to the beach. A week's jaunt to the Natal Coast with my brother and parents is a good opportunity to slow down and indulge in holiday reading.

For the first time in the fifteen years I have known him, M reads a book from cover to cover on holiday and then follows it up with a second one. For me reading is a priority; I squeeze in every opportunity I can to take in a few words. For M it is a nice-to-do after he has completed all his obligations and tasks. This week he has given himself space to read.

I finish four books. I encourage M to read 'Under a Thousand Suns' by Khaled Hosseini after I finish it. Like Hosseini's other book, 'The Kite Runner', I find it a hard book to read. It reveals the harsh reality of life for others, particularly women. The book sobers my judgments and thoughts. I not only appreciate being a 21st century western woman but acknowledge that I have had choices not available to other women.

Every day, I read two chapters of 'Riding the Dragon' by Robert J. Wicks: highly recommended to me by my mother. I read one chapter in the morning and one in the evening. Each chapter gives me something to ponder.

Reading the introduction, I didn't think I was going to enjoy the book. But from the first chapter I am hooked. I appreciate books that equip us to work with the difficulties in our lives. In order to have genuine sunrays shining in and through our lives, we first have to do the hard work of finding peace with our dragons. Some we will slay, some we will subdue and others we will learn to ride.

After thought-provoking books, 'The Assassin' by Evelyn Anthony is lighthearted beach reading. Written in 1970 it's interesting to note how much smoking and throwing back whiskeys litter the novel.

I round off my reading for the week with a fabulous classic, 'Jamaica Inn' by Daphne du Maurier. I not only enjoy the storyline but greatly appreciate the quality of du Maurier's writing. Her work inspires me and stirs up a smidgen of envy.

I read on the beach. I read in the quiet of the morning while M still sleeps. I read in the late afternoon on the stoep sipping a beer shandy. I read at night in the quiet company of my family who read too.

This is sheer holiday luxury.