Is there anything better than lying in the sun, hearing the waves crash against the shore, and losing yourself in a good book? We don't think so! If you're looking for your next beach read (or, if you're staying at home, a title to put you in that summertime spirit), we have you covered. Find inspiration for your next summer read and learn how you can best enjoy a book during these long, hot months with our helpful guidance.
What is a Beach Read?
If you're an avid reader, you'll often hear the term "beach read" thrown around, but if it's not a technical genre, then what is it? A beach read can be defined as any title that is fun, easy to digest, and doesn't require too much critical thinking. This can be just about anything, from a hot new celebrity memoir to a spicy enemies-to-lovers arc. If you can picture yourself ripping through the pages in one or two trips to a beach vacation destination, then it qualifies.
Qualities That Make a Good Beach Read
While not every summer read will fit into these categories, the best books for the beach are:
- Fast-paced page-turners
- Lighthearted and low-stakes
- Full of romance and joy
- Based on nostalgic or sentimental emotions
- Placed in summertime or vacation settings
Top Beach Reads to Buy This Summer
From titles that just hit the shelves to summer reads that sell out season after season, these are just some of our hot-to-go beach read recommendations:
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
From the author that brought you the bold and beautiful The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo comes Taylor Jenkins Reid's irresistible surfer family drama, Malibu Rising. Follow the tense perspectives of four famous surfer siblings as they throw an epic party to celebrate the end of summer. With every page filled to the brim with secrets, mysterious motives, and fascinating family relationships, it's clear that there's a lot riding on this summertime event. The catch? The entire summer read takes place in just 24 hours, making it nearly impossible to put down.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
If you're looking for a teen romance beach read, The Summer I Turned Pretty will complete your summer reading list. Connect with Belly, a teenage girl who measures her entire life in the summers spent with her two best friends, brothers Jeremiah and Conrad. When one summer changes the course of her life forever, chaos, romance, and hijinks ensue. If you've ever watched the popular series or are searching for a quick YA novel, this should be your pick.
Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
Calling all romantasy lovers! If you're itching to get sucked into yet another Fae romance novel but can't commit the time and energy to a full-blown series, this standalone novel is for you. In Throne of the Fallen, follow the notoriously wicked Prince of Envy and virtuous ingenue Camilla Antonius as they enter a devil's bargain together, journeying through the underworld to win a dangerous game. A classic will-they-won't-they unlikely pairing, Maniscalco's first step into the adult genre is an instant, spicy hit perfect for a summer read.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
If you haven't heard the renowned praise for Emily Henry's long list of summer reads, you might be living under a rock. This summer, dive head first into the modern classic romcom Beach Read and read along as two polar opposites try to find common ground while living in neighboring beach houses over the course of one summer. Fall in love with January, a romance writer who no longer believes in love, and Augustus, a literary fiction writer who's stuck in a rut, as they try to help each other out of their unbreakable patterns—and potentially find love in the process!
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Described as absorbing, delightful, and utterly brilliant, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow encourages you to lose yourself in a love story like you've never seen before. Spanning 30 years and multiple settings, from Massachusetts to far-off video game worlds, join lifelong friends Sadie Green and Sam Masur as they start a life-changing video game company together. Together, they must navigate a whirlwind of complex challenges, such as success, friendship, fame, technology, and perhaps the most important of all: the human experience.
The Invitation by Lucy Foley
Sultry, mysterious, and full of old-fashioned ‘50s glam, the newest Lucy Foley book is a must for anyone who wishes they could escape their mundane life and experience the upper-class life on the Italian Riviera. The Invitation tells the story of a friend group of charismatic stars on a trip of a lifetime as they all head towards the renowned Cannes Film Festival. Trapped on a boat, the characters are forced to face one another's secrets and sordid pasts, and even scarier—their own.
7 Popular Beach Read Authors
Beach reads never go out of style. If you see (almost) any title by one of these popular authors, both new and old, scoop it up and add to your summer read shelf:
- Sarah Desson
- Emily Henry
- Dan Brown
- Judy Blum
- Ali Hazelwood
- Elin Hilderbrand
- Lucy Foley
What's the Best Way to Read a Book in the Summer?
Whether you have a few months off for summer break or only a few days of PTO, you should spend some time soaking up a summer read. If you enjoy holding a physical copy, buy your titles through the Novel affiliate link through Bookshop.org. If you prefer to tan in the sun, undisturbed, pop on your headphones and use your credits to listen to an audiobook through Libro.fm! It doesn't matter what your reading method may be—you can still speed through those beach reads.
Whether you're lounging by your neighborhood pool or weighing down your suitcase with too many titles for your month-long tropical vacation, summer reads are an absolute necessity. Pick one of our top-tier recommendations or use your newfound knowledge on what makes a book prime for summertime reading, and select your titles ASAP!
