Today’s theme? Summer Reads: Beach-Themed Books For Your Vacation — whether you’re poolside, oceanside, or sofa-bound with a fan on full blast, we’ve got stories that’ll mentally fly you to the coast.
Let’s talk about what makes a great beach read. You want something immersive but not too dense, emotionally satisfying without dragging you down. Think romantic escapes, breezy mysteries, or sun-drenched coming-of-age stories. Bonus points if it includes cocktails, crashing waves, and just a touch of drama.
Here are 10 beach-themed books that scream summer vacation:
- “Beach Read” by Emily Henry
A romance writer and a literary fiction author stuck in neighboring beach houses. Witty, warm, and has one of the best enemies-to-lovers arcs out there. - “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry
Yep, another Henry hit. A feel-good friends-to-lovers tale with past summer trips stitched through every chapter. - “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Surfers, secrets, and one wild summer party in ‘80s Malibu. Ocean spray and family drama in perfect balance. - “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han
Young love, sunburns, and sibling rivalry—this one’s perfect if you’re into emotional YA vibes or watched the show. - “The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren
Fake honeymoon in Hawaii? Enemies forced to share a suite? It’s rom-com gold with a tropical twist. - “Something in the Water” by Catherine Steadman
Psychological thriller meets honeymoon-gone-wrong. If you like your beach reads with high tension, this one’s for you. - “The Island” by Elin Hilderbrand
Nantucket queen Hilderbrand knows summer lit. This one’s about love, loss, and sisterhood over one unforgettable season. - “One Italian Summer” by Rebecca Serle
A grieving daughter travels to the Amalfi Coast and meets her mother… as a 30-year-old woman. Magical realism meets Mediterranean vibes. - “Summer Sisters” by Judy Blume
A nostalgic, emotionally rich story about a friendship that spans years and beaches. Pure summer soul. - “The Vacationers” by Emma Straub
Dysfunctional family + Majorca = deliciously awkward dynamics with sunny European scenery.
Need more ideas? Here’s a quick reshuffle:
- For spicy romance: “Love and Other Words” by Christina Lauren
- For coastal mystery: “Reckless Girls” by Rachel Hawkins
- For queer beach stories: “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo (not beach-themed but still a strong summer read)
- For short story lovers: “You Think It, I’ll Say It” by Curtis Sittenfeld
We asked you on BookTok and Instagram for your favorite summer reads, and here are a few crowd favorites:
- @paperbackdreams: “Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune
- @readwithrhea: “Shipped” by Angie Hockman
- @beachreadsclub: “Big Summer” by Jennifer Weiner
Keep the recommendations coming — we love reshuffling our TBR based on your picks!
That wraps up this week’s Bookish Reshuffle. If you found a new favorite or plan to pack one of these books in your beach tote, let us know!
Until then, stay sun-kissed and story-obsessed.
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