If there is something I love doing on vacations, it’s sitting on the warm sand and reading till the sun sets and the lights fade. Listening to the waves crash against the shoreline as I turn the pages of a heartwarming family drama. Ah, that’s the life I wish I could live every day. Books and beaches. That’s the dream life.
Let’s be honest here. There’s no better vacation companion than a good book. The salty air, the messy hair, and sipping an ice-cold pina colada while the tides creep closer. That’s what summer dreams are made of. And that’s exactly why your choice of book on vacation matters.
Let’s say you pick up a dull novel, and bam! Your mood is ruined and suddenly even the ocean feels flat. But fret not. We have curated a list of the best beach reads of all time that will keep you intrigued till the end.
1. Beach Read by Emily Henry
If there is any author you could blindly pick to read on a beach, it’s Emily Henry. For romcom books fans, Beach Read is the best choice. It’s a witty, heartfelt romance book about two writers. January Andrews, a romance novelist who doesn’t believe in love anymore and Gus Everett, a brooding literary author battling writer’s block.
They come up with an idea to swap the genres they write in to see who can finish their book first. What follows is their sweet banter, sharing their vulnerabilities, and slowly falling in love with each other. It’s a perfect blend of humor, heart, and summer warmth.
2. Looks Good on Paper by Kilby Blades
The next on the list of best romantic beach reads is Looks Good on Paper, a feel-good romance book with an old-school way of falling in love. It’s a fresh take on Cyrano de Bergerac.
The plot follows Zuri Robinson who is tired of modern dating. She becomes Alessandro’s pen pal. However, she’s not ready for what’s about to come. A big secret. If you are looking for some fun literary beach reads, pick this one up and you won’t be disappointed.
3. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
If summer had a soulmate, it would be this book. People We Meet on Vacation is one of my personal favorite contemporary beach reads. This one is a heartwarming, slow-burn friends-to-lovers story about Poppy and Alex. They have been best friends for years but had a falling out two years ago.
Now, Poppy is determined to fix what’s broken by convincing Alex to take one last vacation together. This summer romance book is full of funny banter, highlighting the importance of real friendships and not letting misunderstandings stand in the way of finding true love.
4. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
If you love dysfunctional family novels, then this is the perfect YA beach reads book for you. Set in 1983, the novel follows the famous Riva siblings as they throw their legendary end-of-summer party that will change everything. As the party unfolds, secrets come undone. It’s a great book that you’ll finish in one sitting.
Taylor Jenkins Reid is a brilliant author and she masterfully captures the family drama dynamics where many emotions like loyalty and self-discovery are explored. The book is fast-paced and addictive and you will find it hard to put down.
5. The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand
Published in 2005, The Blue Bistro is a cozy slow-burn romance book. It follows Adrienne Dealey who works in a high-end restaurant that’s located on an island.
She hopelessly falls in love with the owner who is charming but mysterious. The books will satisfy all your summer atmospheric needs. It’s one among the best beach reads of all time.
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6. Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella
Looking for the best beach reads that tickle your bones? Can You Keep a Secret is the book for you. Emma Corrigan isn’t your usual do-gooder protagonist. She has lied about a few things including the skills in her resume and how she feels about her boyfriend.
But when a turbulent flight leaves her convinced she’s about to die, Emma blabbers every embarrassing detail of her life to the stranger sitting next to her. I started reading this book for its humor but stayed for Sophie Kinsella’s witty writing. This is easily a great escape fiction book to get lost in when you are feeling low.
7. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I have to be honest here. I DNFd this book the first time I began reading it. But a fellow reader convinced me to give it another chance and I am glad I did. The book has drama, scandal, glamor, and heartbreak. All the good things required for a beach read.
The protagonist, Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood legend who wants to tell her story through a journalist. She narrates her life, seven marriages, and all the secrets of the industry she has kept over the years. It’s a must-read for those who love the vintage Hollywood era.
8. Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren
Second-chance romance and emotional storytelling? Count me in. Love & Other Words is a moving book about Macy and Elliot who were best friends as teenagers but drift apart due to a tragic event. Years later, fate brings them together and they are forced to confront their pain and traumas.
The novel will tug at your heartstrings as it explores heavy themes like love, loss, grief, and forgiveness. Christina Lauren’s writing will make you laugh, cry, and wish you could experience your first love all over again.
9. The Lost Summers of Newport by Beatriz Williams, Karen White, and Lauren Willig
Unfolding across three timelines, The Lost Summers of Newport is set against the lavish backdrop of Newport, Rhode Island. The book is richly layered and follows the story of three women in different years. 1899,1958, and 2019.
Each era follows women connected by a grand seaside mansion and the secrets it holds. A fading society singer, an ambitious music tutor, and a modern-day reality TV host uncovering the truth behind the estate’s past. With a touch of nostalgia and mystery, this is one of the best beach reads of all time.
10. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
If you’re looking for a heartwarming yet deeply moving story to accompany you on the beach, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is a must-read. This is my favorite book from the list because I could relate to Eleanor’s personality. She is a socially awkward woman who is lonely. She eats the same food daily and doesn’t really have friends.
An unexpected act of kindness from a coworker starts melting her isolation and she finds herself. Gail Honeyman’s writing is both funny and tender. She offers a perfect balance of wit and emotional depth in this book which makes it a great contemporary beach read.
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11. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
“Rich people behaving badly? Sign me up!”, that was my friend’s reaction when I told them about the book. But yes, Big Little Lies is your ultimate beach read if you love juicy drama, dark humor, and a murder mystery. Set in a seemingly perfect Australian seaside town, the novel follows three women. Madeline, Celeste, and Jane.
Their lives intersect through their children’s school. However, they are soon met with a tragic accident. That’s when all hells break loose. A smartly written book that’s as engaging as it is fast-paced and satisfying. An unputdownable murder mystery book for those who want to read an edge-of-the-seat novel.
12. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Prepare yourself to be swept by opulence, glitz, glamor, and fun with Crazy Rich Asians. The story is about Rachel Chu who agrees to spend the summer with her boyfriend in Singapore, only to discover that he’s from one of the wealthiest families of Asia.
It has family feuds, sweet romance, and high fashion. All the right things that will make you want to toss this book your beach bag. It’s one among the best beach reads of all time.
13. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
If you love your summer reads with a bit of laughter, chaos, and chemistry, The Unhoneymooners can become your next favorite book. Olive Torres ends up on her sibling’s honeymoon with the groom’s brother whom she finds irritating.
Since the bride and groom had a case of food poisoning, they accept a free trip to Maui and pretend like newlyweds. This book had me grinning from start to finish. It’s breezy, feel-good, and absolutely perfect for reading under a beach umbrella with a cold drink in hand.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter whether you’re lounging by the ocean on a pool chair or sitting at home dreaming of sand between your toes, these best beach reads of all time can turn any day into an unforgettable one. Go ahead and select any of the books mentioned above. They all perfectly capture the magic of getting lost in books.
