4. TAPPING THE SOURCE BY KEM NUNN 

Published in 1984 and set in an early 1980s version of Huntington Beach  with bikers, hustlers and a lawlessness that is way removed from the branded up reality of today’s HB, especially as the frothers gather for the Vans US Open of Surfing. It stars Ike, an inlander who finds surfing and it changes his life. A bit like in Point Break which apparently it inspired.

5. A TALE FOR THE TIME BEING BY RUTH OZEKI

When walking along the beach in British Columbia Ruth chances upon a message in a bottle, except it’s the third millennium so it’s actually a diary hidden in a bubble-wrapped Hello Kitty lunchbox. And so begins the story of 16-year old Japanese schoolgirl Nao, told alongside Ruth’s, who may or may not have died in the tsunami. You’ll have to read this deep and dreamy book to find out.

6. JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL A STORY BY RICHARD BACH

Non-conformity, freedom, a love of flying and the meaning of life. And a seagull protagonist. All in one tiny little 70s cult book you’ll probably manage to finish on your way to the beach on the first day of your holiday. Make sure you spend some time checking out the rad illos too.

7. LORD OF THE FLIES BY WILLIAM GOLDING

A classic text that’s still super relevant and enjoyable to read today. A group of schoolboys crash land on a desert island. To survive they’ll need to shun swimming and playing about their tropical paradise and work together to find food, but such commitment would be hard enough for adults let alone kids. Especially when their adolescent egos collide.

8. DROWN BY JUNOT DIAZ

An early collection of short stories from the awesome Junot Diaz who was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic then brought up in New Jersey, USA. His tales of a young male hailing from both places but not really belonging to either are both funny and brutally real.