While not considered great literature, Beach Reads are a fun way to escape. In this class, we will escape, not just by enjoying light fiction, but by armchair traveling to the locations where the stories are set. The selected novels and the discussion dates for each are:

• The Wedding People by Alison Espach (set in Newport, RI)—June 24
• Beach Read by Emily Henry (set in North Bear Shores, Michigan)—July 8
• The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez (set in Kabul, Afghanistan)—July 22
• The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan (set in the Scottish Highlands)—August 5

Format: Every two weeks we will read one of the four novels. The class will meet every other week starting the week of June 24th at the Shriners Center. Each class meeting will be divided into three segments, taking time to discuss the book, the author, and the setting. Everyone is expected to read all four books and participate in discussions. Participants can volunteer to lead a segment of a class after registration.

Resources/Expenses: The novels are available free at public libraries or through Libby or Hoopla. They can be purchased from Amazon (new or used). Used copies can be purchased through Biblio.com, AbeBooks.com, or Thriftbooks.com. Prices vary from $2 to $17.

Coordinators: Diana Grady taught English Language Arts for 40 years in the Swansea School System and Writing Enhancement in the Gomes Elementary School in New Bedford. She has co-coordinated the Memoir Class for many semesters. She is the editor of The Lark and is a veteran class coordinator at LLC. Ruth Mills has taught English at the high school level. She co-coordinated the Beach Reads class for the last two summers and has co-coordinated the Memoir class for many semesters.