Beach Read

The theme of love as an escape from darkness is well-established in Beach Read and shapes the interactions January has with those around her. From the very beginning, this theme presents itself through January’s narration. January begins to believe in the power of love at a young age. Her dad taking the family dancing in response to her mom’s cancer diagnosis sparked January’s love of love and belief that “when the world felt dark and scary, love could whisk you off to go dancing” (3). This belief shapes January’s entire life as well as her interactions with others. She decides that filling her life with love and romance is “not just for my own benefit, but for Mom’s, and for everyone else around me” (3). Throughout the book, January often recalls feeling like she needs to show off her perfect life full of love to her family to assure them that things are okay in the bad times. Particularly after her mom’s second cancer diagnosis, January “tucked every ugly thing out of sight to transform my life into a shiny window display for her benefit” (86). She wants badly to assure her parents, especially her mom, that her life is great and full of love.