Reading is a year-round activity, but that doesn't mean we can't have a special spot in our bookworm hearts for a good, old-fashioned classic beach read. Now, before we dive in to our list of books we are planning to carry in our summer tote bags this season, we do have to clarify that of course not everyone has access to a beach this summer. But that doesn't matter! A beach read is all about a vibe, not about the physical location (though we wouldn't turn down some sand and water, either!).
So whether you're on an actual beach, at the local pool or at the one in your backyard, on the shores of a lake, or just hiding out somewhere with some strong air-conditioning, there is nothing like having a great new book to dig into. Here, we've rounded up 20 titles that we are excited about this summer, including some piping hot new releases and some sexy reads from the past few years that might have gotten missed during the pandemic.
Trust us that No. 14 on our list will make anyone feel steamy this summer and that No. 18 will make summer hot flashes feel like power surges! We have books from old and new authors alike that span tons of genres, so any reader is sure to find something they can't wait to add to their summer book pile. Happy reading!
'Beach Read'
Look, how could we possibly have a whole list of beach read suggestions and not include a book literally called Beach Read? This 2020 book by Emily Henry is set on the beach, featuring authors trying to get unstuck from writer's block while bickering with each other the whole time. Is there a chance that bickering could turn into something else? Read and find out!
'Bridgerton' Series
Fans of the first two seasons of Bridgerton on Netflix can get their fill of swoony romance (and some seriously toe-curling sexy scenes) with this set of the first four books of the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn. Will it provide spoilers for Netflix season three? Probably, but who cares when there is smooching and smoldering to read poolside.
'Tell Me Everything'
Fans of true-crime podcasts will devour this nonfiction book that is part memoir and part true-crime story. Erika Krouse recounts five years as a private investigator, detailing her work on a sexual assault case that led to national attention and some horrifying discoveries along the way. It's a total page-turner!
'Happy-Go-Lucky'
$26.68
from
Bookshop.org
Fans of David Sedaris will be delighted that his latest collection of essays will be out just in time for summer reading. Anyone who is dealing with extended family weirdness on vacation will relate to David's tales of his own eccentric family, especially during the COVID-19 days.
'The Summer Place'
$20.29
from
Barnes & Noble
Look around any pool deck this summer, and we can almost guarantee that someone is going to be reading a Jennifer Weiner book. She's the queen of beach reads, including her newest release, The Summer Place, which is a juicy story about family secrets and a big beach wedding.
'Something Wilder'
What happens when a fake treasure map turns out to maybe be real, a long lost love returns on the scene, and a woman takes a trip that goes terribly (and hilariously) wrong? Well, get Something Wilder and dive right in for a fun summer read.
'Speak'
Sometimes we want a dishy romance to read. Sometimes we want deep family drama. And sometimes we want our beach reads to inspire us. Speak by Peloton instructor Tunde Oyeneyin isn't just for fitness fans. This read gets into Tunde's own journey and her advice for anyone wanting to live a life of purpose.
'This Time Tomorrow'
$25.76
from
Bookshop.org
A 40-year-old woman goes back in time and wakes up again in her 16-year-old self's body (let's pause to imagine what that would be like, now that we have all the confidence that comes with being a 40-year-old). She discovers a very different version of her father, one that shifts her life completely. This book is perfect for Father's Day pool reading.
'Flying Solo'
We loved Evvie Drake Starts Over, the first book from NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour host Linda Holmes, so her second novel, Flying Solo, was an immediate add to our preorder list. This book comes out on June 14 and will for sure be a great addition to any vacation book pile this summer.
'The Final Revival of Opal & Nev'
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is a riveting story about the rise and fall of a 1970's pop duo that touches on issues of gender, race, and power, all while giving us an instantly iconic character named Opal Jewel to get to know. This is a great read and an excellent audiobook option (we love a full cast recording).
'Malibu Rising'
Is it maybe a little bit on the nose to pick a book about surfing siblings that takes place mostly on the beach as one of our favorite beach reads? Maybe, but we're going to do it anyway! Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Read is all about family drama, and it will suck readers right in.
'Like a House on Fire'
A woman who is tired of being seen only as a wife and a mother decides to go back to work and meets a boss who sets her world on fire, in more ways than one. This book delves into the nature of female friendship, the challenges of being a whole person when motherhood can consume a woman, and what happens when a woman starts to figure out what she really wants from life. This has beach book club potential written all over it.
'Lessons in Chemistry'
$26.68
from
Bookshop.org
Elizabeth Zott is one of those singular characters who readers can't help but root for. Lessons in Chemistry is the story of how a scientist becomes a reluctant star of a cooking show in the 1960s, and we're so pumped to read it by the lake, with a cooler full of our favorite snacks.
'The Idea of You'
Moms who are nursing a little crush on Harry Styles this summer (no shame in that!) will love The Idea of You. Actually, anyone who is looking for a steamy summer read about a hot rockstar who falls for an older woman with very sexy results will find it hard to put this one down.
'Part of Your World'
A career-driven woman. A hot carpenter. Some really good grilled cheese sandwiches and a baby goat. All the basic elements of a delicious opposites-attract romance plot, right? This modern story is one we'll happily devour in an afternoon, stopping only to apply some more sunscreen.
'My Sister, the Serial Killer'
$14.72
from
Bookstore.org
Sometimes we want to add a little darkness to those bright sunny summer days, and My Sister, the Serial Killer is just the ticket. The story of a responsible and practical nurse and her sister who has a tendency to kill her boyfriends is a darkly funny modern-day noir novel that will have you racing to turn the pages.
'The Lifeguards'
The Lifeguards is the perfect summer read for fans of books such as Big Little Lies or Little Fires Everywhere. The story, told from multiple points of view, is all about what happens when life in a seemingly perfect suburb is shaken by a dark secret. This one pairs well with a lounge chair, a big margarita, and a nice bowl of chips.
'The Change'
Some of us will be sweating from the heat this summer and some of us will be sweating from the hot flashes that come with perimenopause (a real treat in the summertime, ugh). The Change is a delightfully twisty read that features three women who discover that midlife brings them some new, witchy powers that set them on a path to uncovering a murder.
'By the Book'
By the Book is a cotton candy treat of a novel. An easy read for fans of the romance genre, this modern homage to Beauty and the Beast is perfect for anyone who wants to discover a new version of a tale as old as time.
'The Guncle'
A washed-up actor who lives a small life in Palm Springs has his world totally shaken up by suddenly becoming the caregiver for his young niece and nephew. Will the fun guncle (gay uncle, obviously) figure out how to grow up and maybe even imagine a new life for himself? Is Palm Springs in the summer hot?
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