Whether you are an owner at Grand Isle Resort & Spa, or just soaking up the sun on a much-deserved getaway, you are probably looking for the perfect reading material for your days at the beach.

For those interested in gaining a bit of insight into the history of the Bahamian islands, there are wonderful choices that are sure to quench your thirst for knowledge. If history really isn’t your thing, maybe you’d rather connect with the island through books set in the Bahamas, or maybe you are just looking for an easy read while lying on the beach. Whatever you have in mind, we have some great ideas for you.

THESE BOOKS HAVE A BAHAMIAN SETTING
Using the Caribbean as a setting for a novel is a great way to capture a reader’s interest and keep him coming back for more. If you are the type of reader who seeks refuge in a novel and loves all the inspired daydreaming brought on by a book’s setting – particularly that of a Caribbean paradise – these books may be right up your alley:

An Evening in Guanima: A Treasury of Folktales from the Bahamas by Patricia Glinton-Meicholas – The author’s birthplace is Cat Island and this book serves as a tribute to the island and other Bahamian treasures. You’ll love these adventurous tales of fascinating characters and the hilarious dialogue.
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett – Cowboy Tully Mars brings his pony to shore in this memorable Caribbean adventure.
Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway –This one is an outstanding American classic.
Bahamarama by Bob Morris – After two years spent in a federal prison on false charges, a Miami linebacker looks ahead to a Bahamas reunion with his model girlfriend, but it won’t be quite that simple!
Bahama Crisis by Desmond Bagley – This famous writer of British thrillers sets his story in the Bahamas and gives the reader a taste of the Bahamian lifestyle.
Bahamas – In a White Coming On by Dennis Ryan – This is a book for poetry lovers.

HISTORY BUFFS SHOULD CHECK OUT THESE STORIES OF THE BAHAMAS
For history lovers who are just itching to become acquainted with the journey of the people of the Bahamian islands, the options are plentiful. Whether a straightforward, in-depth look at the history of the islands from their inception to now is your speed, or an overview of the most important events that contributed to the present day state of the islands is what you are looking for, there are a number of excellent choices:

Bahama Sage: The Epic Story of the Bahama Islands by Peter Barratt – This is a chronicle of human presence in the Bahamian islands.
A History of the Bahamas by Michael Craton – This book is full of great Bahamian facts and details surrounding important historical events.
The Story of the Bahamas by Paul Albury – For a concise, readable history of the Bahamas, this book is a good choice.
Grand Bahama by Peter Barratt – This book follows the township of Freeport, Grand Bahama, and how it changed from a simple, tree-laden island to a major tourist attraction.

HERE ARE GREAT BOOKS TO READ WHILE LYING AROUND ON THE BEACH
If an education on the history of the Bahamas or reading a novel with a tropical paradise setting doesn’t interest you, one of these great books may just do the trick. From newly released to popular books of past, there’s something for everyone on this list:

– Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
– Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
– The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
– The Hunger Games (trilogy) by Suzanne Collins
– The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
– Life of Pi by Yann Martel
– The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
– Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Find the perfect book to take to the beach, stretch out under an umbrella and enjoy!

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