What Makes A Great Beach Read?

The folks at Mashable recently posted their 22 picks for summer reading. The multitude of these lists beg the question: What qualities makes a book worthy of the category “beach-read”?

Here are my criteria:

1. Sippable. That means you can read a few pages, take a dip in the water, read another page or two, watch the waves, read a few pages… You get the idea. Some books require big gulps, and that’s ok, but those that can be read a page or two or three at a time are better suited to a beach or vacation and all the wonderful distractions that come with those things.
2. Not horribly depressing or heart-breakingly sad. Tears don’t go well with bikinis.
3. Light. Some people think that’s code for chick-lit. And while I’m just as excited for Revenge Wears Prada as the next magazine-ladder-climbing gal, I think essay collections, humor, and even some biographies can qualify.
4. A damn good book. The truth is, any really amazing read will keep you hooked and will be enjoyable in the sunshine.

What’s on your summer must-read list?