Beach ReadsThe Best Beach Reads — What to Read While You’re Soaking up the Sun This Summer

If we didn’t begin with this book, this list wouldn’t have any validity.

Plot: Augustus Everett and January Andrews, acclaimed author of literary fiction and bestselling romance writer respectively, find themselves with severe writer’s block and living in neighboring beach houses. Despite their polar opposite personalities and writing styles, they strike a deal to help each other out of their creative ruts: Augustus will write something happy for a change, while January will attempt the next Great American Novel. They embark on a series of unconventional field trips to inspire their writing, with the agreement that no one will fall in love.

This is sure to be a classic in a few years.

Plot: After losing her husband and son, Tova Sullivan finds solace in working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. There, she forms an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a wise and curmudgeonly octopus. When Marcellus uncovers clues about Tova’s son’s disappearance over thirty years ago, he must use his unique abilities to help Tova uncover the truth before it’s too late.

Are we bias? Maybe! But Emily Henry’s latest book might just be her best yet.

Plot: Daphne’s life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself stranded in Waning Bay, Michigan, after her fiancé Peter reveals he’s in love with his childhood best friend Petra. Determined to start anew, Daphne, now a children’s librarian struggling financially, proposes to become roommates with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. Despite their differences, they form a bond while drowning their sorrows and concoct a plan to fake a romantic relationship through misleading photos. However, as they navigate their pretend romance, Daphne begins to question whether she’s truly over her ex-fiancé as she finds herself drawn to Miles.

If you want a feel-good/found-family book, look no further than The House in the Cerulean Sea!

Plot: Linus Baker, a quiet man living a solitary life, works as a Case Worker overseeing magical children in orphanages. When he’s assigned a classified mission to assess six dangerous children on Marsyas Island, including the Antichrist, Linus must confront his fears and uncover hidden secrets. As he grows closer to the charming caretaker Arthur Parnassus, Linus faces a difficult choice: protect the children or prevent potential catastrophe.

You knew it was coming, didn’t you?

Plot: 19-year-old huntress Feyre’s life takes a dramatic turn when she kills a wolf in the woods and is dragged to a magical land by a terrifying creature seeking retribution. There, she discovers her captor is not a beast but an immortal faerie named Tamlin. As Feyre adapts to her new home, her feelings for Tamlin evolve from hostility to passion. However, she soon realizes that a dark force threatens Tamlin’s world, and she must find a way to stop it to save him and his realm from destruction.

Tessa Bailey is another one of our favorite romance novelists. Warning: lots of spice.

Plot: Piper Bellinger’s wild antics lead to her stepfather cutting her off and sending her to run her late father’s dive bar in a small town. Determined to prove herself, she clashes with local sea captain Brendan, but soon finds herself drawn to him. Despite their differences, Piper starts to question if the glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants, as she begins to feel at home in Westport.

Any Sally Rooney book is always nice to carry around (you’ll look*so* cool).

Plot: Connell and Marianne, two teenagers from different social worlds, share a secret connection that deepens over the years. Despite their differences, they are drawn back together repeatedly, even as they explore other relationships. As they navigate college life and personal challenges, they must confront the limits of their bond and the sacrifices they’re willing to make for each other. Sally Rooney’s novel delves into class dynamics, first love, and the complexities of relationships with her trademark psychological insight and sparse prose.

Give it a try already!

Plot: Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail is thrust into a dangerous new path when her mother, the commanding general, orders her to join the candidates vying to become dragon riders, despite her fragility and smaller stature. In a world where dragons only bond with the strongest, Violet faces hostility and threats from both her peers and the looming war outside. As she struggles to survive and uncover the truth hidden by leadership, Violet must rely on her wits to navigate a treacherous journey.

Imagine this: laying on the beach, reading this book and listening to Fleetwood Max.

Plot: Inspired by real ’70s band Fleetwood Mac, Daisy Jones & The Six follows the journey of Daisy, a young woman in late 1960s L.A., and Billy Dunne, the leader of the band The Six. Their paths intersect when a producer pairs them up, leading to the creation of a legendary band. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel is a riveting oral history of love, music, and fame, capturing the essence of the 1970s music scene with a distinctive voice.

If you love Greek mythology, you need to read Madeline Miller.

Plot: In Circe, the daughter of Helios, god of the sun, is born as a strange and powerless child. Turning to mortals for companionship, she discovers her gift of witchcraft, which threatens the gods. Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her craft and encounters famous figures from mythology. As she faces danger and draws the wrath of gods and men, Circe must choose between her divine heritage and her mortal loves, summoning all her strength to protect what she holds dear.

If you’re a historical fiction lover.

Plot: In The Women, nursing student Frankie McGrath is inspired to join the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War era, following her brother’s footsteps. Inexperienced and overwhelmed by the chaos of war, Frankie navigates the challenges of life and death, friendship, and betrayal. As she and her veteran friends return home to a changed America, they face protests and a country eager to forget Vietnam. This novel shines a light on the sacrifices and courage of women in war, capturing the essence of a tumultuous era through Frankie’s journey.

Read it before BookTok starts hyping it up (it’s that good).

Plot: In this Norse-inspired fantasy romance, Freya, a shield maiden blessed with magic, battles against a power-hungry king while also fighting her growing desire for his son, Bjorn. Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya’s dreams of becoming a warrior become reality when she’s betrayed and forced into a fight to the death. With a drop of a goddess’s blood, Freya possesses the power to unite Skaland, but must navigate perilous tests set by the gods and resist her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. As she trains to fight and control her magic, Freya risks her destiny and the fate of her people.