Best beach reads 2005

When you're headed to the beach or cottage, don't leave home without some light reading material to make your summer escape a little sweeter. Unwind with one -- or some -- of the following books that hit the spot when you're looking for easy entertainment.

Ya-Yas in Bloom
(HarperColllins Canada, 2005)
By Rebecca Wells

Get to know the Ya-Yas when their friendships were just beginning to bud and flourish. This book takes you back to the 1930s with charming snapshots into the formative years of the Ya-Ya pals in Thornton, Louisiana. Their friendships unfold in captivating, sweet and funny tales that'll have you longing to return to your childhood.

A passionate Vivi, carefree Caro, fearless Teensy and gentle Necie come to life as they share both precious childhood joys and poignant crises as adults. Uniting these women throughout the years is an unbreakable and inspirational bond.

The storyline takes an odd turn with rants from bitter and disturbed characters Myrtis and Edythe Spevey. Although aptly depicting perversity and jealousy from the narrow-minded and desperate, these malicious narratives seem to come out of nowhere and may leave you feeling puzzled. But Wells redeems herself with her crisp storytelling and expert portrayal of women getting by with a little help from their friends. Even if you haven't read Wells's other two Ya-Ya tales, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (1996) and Little Altars Everywhere (2003,) you'll find many delights in Ya-Yas in Bloom (2005).