Kickstart the Summer Season with a Virtual Getaway!

The weather is getting warmer and dreams of beach vacations are sure to come to mind. If you can’t make it to the beach, why not bring the beach to your home! And what beach escape is complete without a good beach read? What constitutes a true “beach read” is up to your own interpretation but I have found titles that are sure to grab your attention while complementing your virtual getaway. The best part? All are available as eBooks or audiobooks through our Virtual Branch resources. Use your library card to borrow these titles with the hoopla or Libby app (you can also view these titles in your browser!)

• Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras (hoopla eBook)
• The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware (eLibraryNJ eBook/audiobook)
• The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary (eLibraryNJ audiobook)
• The Other Child by Charlotte Link (hoopla eBook)
• Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner (eLibraryNJ audiobook and eBook)
• Pretty Things by Janelle Brown (eLibraryNJ eBook)
• Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton (Overdrive eBook)
• The Perfect Escape by Suzanne Park (hoopla eBook)
• The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth (eLibraryNJ eBook)
• Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin (eLibraryNJ eBook)

Interested in the history of the Jersey Shore? Check out these titles on hoopla:

• Jersey Shore by Wayne O. Welshans
• Birth Of The Jersey Shore by Randall Gabrielan
• The Jersey Shore Thrill Killer by John E. O’Rourke

If you are looking for more recommendations tailored to your tastes, try our new service: MCL’s Personalized Picks.

Now that you have a beach read…why not spice up your virtual vacation with a summer inspired recipe! Fire up the grill, have a new summer drink, or try your hand at making a tropical dessert. Check out this link for more ideas: Summer Recipes. Share your favorite warm weather recipe in this blog post’s comments section!

Summer and Outdoor Cookbooks:

• Endless Summer Cookbook by Katie Lee (hoopla eBook)
• Good Housekeeping Ultimate Grilling Cookbook (eLibraryNJ eBook)
• Beach House Brunch by Lei Shishak (hoopla eBook)
• Summer Drink Recipes by Various Authors (hoopla eBook)
• Tropical Desserts by Various Authors (hoopla eBook)
• VBQ-The Ultimate Vegan Barbecue Cookbook by Nadine Horn (hoopla eBook)
• Williams-Sonoma Frozen Desserts Various Authors (hoopla eBook)
• S'mores! By Dan Whalen (hoopla eBook)

The sounds of waves, the call of seagulls, the view of the endless horizon: Complete your staycation with these beach sound videos or let one of these virtual adventures transport you!

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGIXT7ce3vQ&t=14s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0OByTvG8Mo
• Virtual Walk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mazA7BgH0h0
• Explore.org webcams https://explore.org/livecams/oceans/hawaii-waimea-bay-cam
• Sunset at the beach of Isabela, Puerto Rico https://www.360cities.net/video/sunset-puerto-rico
• Tortugas Coral Reef Adventure: https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/tortugas-coral-reef-adventure/ygG6e6vmYdd0iQ

- by, Isabel Fabrizio, Ewing Branch