The Beach Book

by Melcher Media

Living in splendid isolation on the shores of Kenya, a blind hermit finds that his knowledge of poisonous seashells can save lives-forcing a haunting reckoning . . . Paradise turns out to be a mixed blessing when a crafty old businessman retires to Miami Beach . . . A young globetrotter winds up stranded in a Thailand beach shack, determined to shed the baggage of his Western identity . . . In these and seven other stories, The Beach Book gathers a seminal selection of fiction set on beaches around this big blue globe. Internationally acclaimed authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Isaac Bashevis Singer, as well as emerging voices such as Anthony Doerr and Frederick Reiken, have all written eloquently about the sea's siren song. Why does the beach seem to promise nothing short of paradise on earth?The Beach Book is completely waterproof. Put it right in your tote bag along with your sunscreen and beach ball. It's the perfect companion for a day of sand and surf.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2005

About the author

Melcher Media is a New York-based book packager and publisher founded by Charles Melcher in 1993. Known for creating visually inventive and physically distinctive books, the company has produced over 175 titles, including 30 New York Times bestsellers such as An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore and The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant. Melcher Media has also created companion books for hit productions like Hamilton, Stranger Things, and Wicked. It pioneered DuraBooks, a patented waterproof and recyclable book format, and launched the Future of StoryTelling (FoST), a summit celebrating innovation in digital-era storytelling.

Reviews

[Sofia Silverchild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful stories about beaches of the world in a... plastic book! It's a perfect solution to stop cutting trees, but maybe we should make them by something other than plastic. What do you think?

[Maria Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good collection of short stories, set in the wonders of the beach, either basking in the sun at high noon, or showcasing the wonderful colors of sunset and dusk and night time.

There is one story that bored me, all about the Pirates and its long journey. I believe it did not fit perfectly in the collection since the other stories reveal a genre of slice-of-life, of adventures and misadventures combined, and some tall-tales being bequeathed from one generation to the next.

I loved the missing kid in Dahl's short story collection, and its ability to talk to animals and the rare chance to ride a pawikan. It made me dream to go back to Dumaguete and go straight to the Apo Reef, where I can be a mermaid again, swimming with the pawikan and little fishies.

I definitely missed the beach. And the beach book helped me remember my happy moments with it.

[Sandip Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting concept of collected short stories in a book made with 100% waterproof material. Each of the stories is centered around a beach or a waterfront. Stories by Roald Dahl and Gabriel Garcia Marquez also from a part of this collection.

[Courtney Elyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I basically read this for Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s short story which was of course the best of them all.
Not worth the other stories though.

[rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 probably. enjoyed this but i think i liked the Poolside one a bit more. nothing particularly bad in this volume, just not as many really interesting or striking stories

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all I have to give this one mad props from a graphic designer's standpoint for the following reasons:
a) It's waterproof! For those of us who have had disastrous, waterlogged experiences with toting our beloved books to the beach - our savior has arrived!
b) The different short stories are set in various typefaces - well selected typefaces, might I add. BONUS.
c) The cover is straight-up badass. I know you're not suppose to judge a book by it's cover, but COME ON! I'm a friggin' designer!

Secondly, there are some pretty great short stories in this nifty little libro. Great designed paired with good writing... what more could one ask for?

[LINDA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is completely waterproof, what a GREAT idea! The various short stories (by different authors) were all very creative and each one fittingly references a beach, some from all around the globe!

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very neat little book. I saved it for a holiday read on the beach and wasn't disappointed. The short stories are good and their tropical settings are just what the doctor ordered while you're lounging on your beach chair.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous beach read for those who don't like the classic fluffy, full of drivel beach book. Stories by famous award winning authors, like Gabriel Garcia Marquez. And the entire book is waterproof, completely laminated. A very cool extra! ☀️

[Karli Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this at the beach (how appropriate). The book contains a varity of stories, but you don't have to be at the beach to enjoy them.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent collection of well written short stories by award winning authors. Best part? It's Waterproof!!

[Synthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a nice idea, a waterproof book filled with short stories that take place at the seashore however I didn't really like any of the stories.

[Brittany]

A unique compilation of stories with the beach as the subject. Some great authors and its actually waterproof to take to the beach!

[Emily Hoffman Sypek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great beach read! I saved this for beach vacations and read it on several beaches.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, short stories keep rocking my world. This book is also 100% waterproof. Duh.