The 20 Best Beach Reads
Nothing sounds more relaxing than chilling on the beach with that perfect book in your hand. No matter your genre preference, we’ve got you covered with covers that will keep you engaged and on a path to hit your summer reading goals. Dive into our 20 favorite summer beach reads so that you can enhance your vacation vibes or escape reality for a bit.
Romance Novels:
Normal People by Sally Rooney - Dive into the complex and beautiful relationship between Connell and Marianne as they navigate love, friendship, and social dynamics from high school to university in Ireland.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry - Follow best friends Poppy and Alex on their yearly vacation trips and discover whether their friendship can evolve into something more.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren - Laugh along with Olive and Ethan as they pretend to be newlyweds on a free Hawaiian vacation that was supposed to be for Olive’s twin sister and her new husband.
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman - Experience a poignant and heartwrenching summer romance between a young Elio and visiting scholar, Oliver, set in the beautiful Italian Riviera. Follow it up with the loose sequel Find Me to get a further view into the lives of these characters.
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune - Expect heartfelt moments and life-changing experiences as two ex-lovers meet again, questioning what went wrong and if they can rekindle their relationship.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld - Enjoy the humorous and charming journey of a comedy writer who unexpectedly finds herself falling for a pop star guest-hosting on her show.
Fiction Books:
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng - Explore the intertwined lives of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother-daughter duo who upend their suburban world.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Delve into the glamorous and scandalous life of Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo as she recounts her rise to fame and her many marriages.
Mystery Stories:
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides - Uncover the truth behind Alicia Berenson’s shocking act of violence and her subsequent silence, as her psychotherapist digs deeper into her past.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart - Enter the world of the wealthy Sinclair family, where secrets and lies lead to a devastating truth one summer.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - Get engrossed in this classic mystery where ten strangers are invited to a remote island and systemically murdered, revealing dark secrets from their past.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - Join four elderly friends in a peaceful retirement village as they investigate unsolved murders, turning their quiet life into an unexpected adventure.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - Dive into a high-stakes game of deception and secrets as two teenagers get caught up in a mysterious inheritance that could change their lives forever.
Graphic Novels:
In Waves by A.J. Dungo - A moving graphic novel that intertwines the history of surfing with the author’s personal story of love and loss, creating a poignant tribute to both his late partner and the sport they love.
Loved and Lost: A Relationship Trilogy by Jeffrey Brown - This trilogy explores the ups and downs of relationships with humor and honesty, capturing the bittersweet moments of love and heartbreak in a relatable way.
The Gigantic Beard that Was Evil by Stephen Collins - A quirky and imaginative tale about Dave, who lives in a perfectly orderly island community until a gigantic beard starts growing uncontrollably from his face, bringing chaos and reflection on the nature of conformity and individuality.
Non-Fiction / Business:
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard - The founder of Patagonia shares his unconventional approach to business and life, emphasizing environmental responsibility and the importance of pursuing one’s passions.
The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel - Delve into the fascinating true story of Stephane Breitwieser, a prolific art thief whose obsession with collecting masterpieces led to an astonishing series of heists across Europe.
The Book of Eels: Our Enduring Fascination with the Most Mysterious Creature in the Natural World by Patrik Svensson - Explore the mysterious life cycle of eels and humanity’s long-standing fascination with them, blending science, history, and memoir in a captivating narrative.
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou - Investigate the rise and fall of Theranos, the biotech startup that promised revolutionary blood-testing technology, through the eyes of the journalist who uncovered its fraudulent practices.
Pack your beach bag with these captivating reads, and let yourself be swept away by the stories as you soak up the sun and sea breeze. Happy Reading!