Looking for a good book to read? We’ve compiled some summer beach reads that will appeal to all surf and beach lovers. Here we take a look at some of the surf classics, a couple of surf novels and a new autobiography by the formidable Pauline Menczer.
New Surf Novels
One With The Waves, by Vezna Andrews
Can surfing change your life? For Ellie, it most certainly does. Vezna Andrews’ debut novel is set in 1980s Southern California, where sixteen-year-old Ellie discovers herself through her love of surfing. Born and raised in New York City, Ellie’s world is turned upside down when, at 15, her father unexpectedly dies and her mother sends her to Manhattan Beach, California to live with her aunt, Jen and her husband, Uncle Charlie—both avid surfers.
Eventually, Ellie finds a group of like-minded souls who show her what true friendship is. Through surfing, Ellie develops the confidence and strength needed to navigate her own path in life—surfing literally saves her.
Foam by Laurel H. Senick
After tragedy strikes, Cassandra Lee, an out-of-work journalist, runs to the tropical island where her dreams were supposed to come true. Attempting to get her life and career back, Cass begins research on a local freediver’s death but instead uncovers a drug ring and kidnapping plot. With trouble on her heels (if you could call flip-flops heels), she realises this sleepy surf town has more spines than a sea urchin.
Strap on your leash and paddle out with Cass as she gets tangled in the dangerous undertow of addiction, death and disappearances. She must claw her way to the surface and trust some unlikely characters to survive. But will she trust the right ones?
Check out our interview with Laurel here
Classic Surf Novels
Barbarian Days, A Surfing Life by William Finnegan
An immersive memoir of a life spent travelling the world chasing waves through the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, Africa and beyond. Finnegan describes the edgy yet enduring brotherhood forged among the swell of the surf.
Breath by Tim Winton
Set in a small Western Australian logging village in the 1970s, this is a story about the the treacherous power of the waves, wildness of youth and learning to live with its passing. A story of extreme sports and extreme emotions.
Caught Inside, Daniel Duane
After leaving his mundane and meaningless job, Daniel Duane went to California, to surf for a year. This book is his account of Cali life, surfing, culture, the ocean and his relationship with fauna and flora. Informative and funny!
Saltwater Buddha: A Surfer’s Quest to Find Zen on the Sea by Jaimal Yogis
Fed up with teenage life in the suburbs, Jaimal Yogis runs off to Hawaii where he discovers surf, spirality and a deep understanding for Hawaiian culture. A coming of age story focused on a quest for surf and serenity.
Tapping the Source by Kem Nunn
The inspiration behind cult class Point Break, this is the fictional tale of Ike Tucker who has come to Huntington Beach to look for his missing sister. His search takes him on a journey through surfing subculture, surf gangs, highs and lows.
Surf Autobiography
Surf Like A Woman, Pauline Menczer
Surf culture in the 80s and 90s was exceedingly toxic — particularly for women. Ignored by sponsors, underpaid (if paid at all), underestimated and insulted, female surfers had to overcome countless hurdles to make it on the professional surfing circuit. Surf Like A Woman is Pauline Menczer’s inspirational story of a true underdog battler, whose fearlessness and grit broke down the door of surfing’s boys’ club for the next generation of women.Surf Like A Woman is both the sports memoir of a surfing icon, and a rousing feminist manifesto celebrating the resilience, strength and power of women in sport.
Readers outside Australia and New Zealand can purchase Surf Like a Woman via Readings bookshop who offer international shipping.
