Kite Runner was very good, and definitely worth reading. Anna Karenina, though classic, is very, very drawn out and in the end depressing, and definitely not something you want to read at the beach. Alchemist was good, and an easy beach read, and can be finished in 2 hours at the beach too. Haven't read his other one... let us know how it is if you try it. Not familiar with the 5th. Gate of the Sun, by Elias Khoury, is also an excellent read.