July 1book140 Shortlist: Beach Reads

Summer's officially here, and it's time to relax, take a deep breath, and pick up a book to read just for fun. Below is our shortlist for July, when we'll tackle a beach read. Should we go with a classic love story? A contemporary mystery? A tale about children and magic (that's not Harry Potter)? You have till Friday at 5 pm to cast your vote. (NOTE: If you have trouble with the voting module on this page, try clicking here.)

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Beautiful Ruins follows the would-be love affair of a young Italian innkeeper and an American starlet—and picks up their story in Hollywood half a decade later.

The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler

In this novel, a middle-aged man manages to find peace after his wife's untimely death as her spirit frequently revisits him.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A beloved and often-studied novel, Pride and Prejudice observes the volatile (and complicated) romance of an intelligent, female protagonist and a seemingly aloof gentleman.

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

Set in New Orleans, A Confederacy of Dunces is about an eccentric 30 year old man's comedic quest for employment.

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Considered Marquez's masterpiece, One Hundred Years of Solitude follows the narrative of the multi-generational Buendía family, centered in the fictional town of Macondo.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Blending the lines between reality and fantasy, The Magicians is about a high school student's entry into a world of a magic.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Known for her thrillers, Gillian Flynn delivers in this book about the disappearance of a young wife and the suspicions surrounding her husband.