It's July. It's summer. It's hot. I don't know what it's like where you live, but where I live it's frankly scalding. You know when you're baking something in the oven and you open it to take it out and that deathly hot air from hell bursts out? That's pretty much what it feels like outside. I promise I'm not exaggerating. Because of this, I was inspired this week to feature some books that have some sort of body of water as a somewhat prominent element of the story. Whether it's a boat ride, a dip in the lake, or a journey across the ocean, these all have water that I am dying to jump into. (Seriously, does anyone want to share their pool? I'll pay you in food and books and I won't splash around or anything, I just want to sit and bask.)
And stay tuned for part two, which will feature books that are set in plain old hot settings. It'll be a blast. (Of heat.)
Waters of Salt and Sin by Alisha Klapheke: I mean, the opening line of my review for this one is "If you like your adventures on the open seas, then this book is tailor-made for you." There is a lot of water. (
Review)
The Odyssey by Homer: Odysseus is traveling in a ship for a good portion of this one, so I'd say there is plenty of nice cold water to spend your summer days in.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach: Okay, so this is a silly one, but seagulls are beach birds and he flies over the ocean, so it counts!
The Magus by John Fowles: It's on an island and they venture into the ocean/lakes/I don't know at various points. It just sounds refreshing.
The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig: Not only is there ship travel, there is ship
time-travel. I mean, I'm down. Plus,
Hawaii!
Ithaca by Patrick Dillon: This is an Odyssey-inspired story about Odysseys' son, Telemachus. The middle portion retells the Odyssey somewhat, so more travel! (
Review)
Lord of the Silver Bow by David Gemmell: Ship battles! This one has a lot of background ocean, both because it surrounds islands and because there are soldiers on ships. It might not be centered on water, but it still plays a role.
Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen: I mean, it's not particularly ocean-centric, but Captain Hook is indeed the Captain of a ship which sits on water so, I mean, yeah. (
Review)
The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman: Lake swimming + mysteriousness! Try not die in the lake, though. This story features a girls' school that sits lakeside and is reminiscent of the
The Secret History-esque books, complete with rituals performed in the lake.
River of Doubt by Candice Millard: Okay, so this is a river that I really, really
don't want to be in, but it's still one of the best adventure stories I've read! And it's all true. (
Review)
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio: I'd say the lake plays a pretty important role in this one! If you like or are interested in
The Lake of Dead Languages that I mentioned earlier, you'd also probably like this one! (
Review)
What are some of your favorite books with oceans/lakes/rivers?
