Bedside Reading returns to the Hamptons

If you're planning to spend some time in the Hamptons in August, Bedside Reading has made it easier for you to find the perfect read to take along with you to the beach.

Bedside Reading, which was founded in 2017 and places curated books in luxury hospitality settings, has this year put together eight titles located at 11 hotels throughout the Hamptons.

"The people going to the Hamptons are sophisticated and educated. They’re great readers and so many of them are in book clubs," said Jane Ubell-Meyer, who founded Bedside Reading in 2017. "We like to find bestsellers that are from independent authors from smaller presses. Some of these book are incredibly interesting by authors you would not normally know about."

The selection she's put together include "Last Bite," Amy S. Peele's novel about a widow carving a new life for herself in Chicago; "Awaken In Nature" by Anne Marie Wall which features nature-inspired artwork; "Wait ... Who Got Goosed?" by Julie Coles, an activity book with original poetry; Patricia Leavy's contemporary romance novel "Cowboy Eyes"; David McCloskey's international thriller "The Seventh Floor"; "Unplugged," a memoir by tennis pro Mark Kaplan that deals with his heart attack and recovery; "Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous," Christine Stringer's novel set in 1990s Hollywood; and "Burning Bright" by Michele Kwasniewski about a teenage pop star.

"It's not just novels for women," Ubell-Meyer said. "The Wall Street guys are in the Hamptons, so that's why we have 'Unplugged.' We have a YA novel, 'Burning Bright.' We try to be respectful of families and have something for everybody. And a number of these books are being optioned by producers in Hollywood."

The 11 hotels taking part are The Maidstone Hotel, Journey, Mill House Inn and The Baker House in East Hampton; 1708 House in Southampton, Southampton Inn and Capri Southampton; Hotel Moraine in Greenport; Canoe Place Inn & Cottages in Hampton Bays; and Marram and Beachcomber Resort, both in Montauk.

The idea for Bedside Reading came out of a vacation Ubell-Meyer took with her then boyfriend to St. Maarten's when she was "23ish," she said. The trip started well, until the conversation that began with him saying, "You know Jane, I really like you, but ..."

"I was devastated, I was crushed," she said. "Luckily, my stepmother had given me a copy of 'Cry to Heaven' by Anne Rice. I took it with me and it saved my entire trip."

She remembered that moment when she decided to give up her film and TV producing job nine years ago. Fueled by her love of books, Bedside Reading was born. In addition to physical books, the company also provides access to digital books to roughly 60 hotels and hospitals.

"I want to make sure that nobody travels without a book," she said.