On Friday, I’ll be sharing an essay about about 5 books that would be perfectly lovely to read at the beach, even if they’re not TECHNICALLY beach reads. But today, I want white sand. I want steamy love affairs. I want family sagas. I want seafood dripping in butter. I want ESCAPE. For me, both Elin Hilderbrand and Jasmine Guillory typically scratch my vacation book itch, but I know there’s a whole world of authors I need to dive (🌊) into.
INFINITELY BEACHABLE!
So hit me up with your most delicious summer reads! And let’s try and put titles in all caps for ease of thread combing!
MEET ME AT THE LAKE was a great escape read while I was at the lake last weekend. Even reading it in sentence/paragraph increments (interrupted by two young children constantly) I still flew through it.
Agree to anything by Elin Hildebrand and Emily Henry. WELCOME HOME STRANGER was a good, quick, thoughtful read. HUSBANDS. SANDWICH 1000000%. Enjoyed SICILIAN INHERITANCE for sure. REAL AMERICANS and GOODBYE VITAMIN by Rachel Khong. Enjoy your beach reading!
unfortunately I don’t have any recs for this, but I’m going to cape cod in two weeks and will be livingggg in this comments section for ideas until then
Okay this is not remotely what you asked for, but if anyone is into narrative nonfiction The Big House by George Howe Colt was one of my favorite beach reads the last few years. It almost made my stack for this year's trip as a reread, but in the end my stack was to tall (librarian problems) and I pulled it out. Good stuff.
My fave beach reads are rich people behaving badly and facing consequences. Some recent ones I liked are VERY BAD COMPANY and BAD SUMMER PEOPLE. PINEAPPLE STREET, WIVES LIKE US, and MALIBU RISING.
I loved WIVES LIKE US. I read it just before a trip to the Cotswolds and forced everyone I met to buy a copy. While in a local English bookstore, the owner whispered to me-- the author is just like her characters.... there you have it! What better rec can you get?
Ashley Poston is great—she’s like Emily Henry but with a fun magical realism twist! Her new book A NOVEL LOVE STORY is good but my fave of hers is THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP.
Also recommend anything by Dolly Alderton, THE HAPPY COUPLE by Naoise Dolan, THE RACHEL INCIDENT by Caroline O’Donaghue, and REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLY by Monica Heisey
THE MIDNIGHT FEAST by Lucy Foley. Posh resort on the English coast, rotating narrators, class drama, old secrets, spooky and delicious. White Lotus meets the Blair Witch Project. Devoured it!
This is a few years old but "You Deserve Each Other" by Sarah Hogle. I just remember it being hilarious and fun. I've only read one Olivia Dade book but have heard good things. I really like Emma Lord - cute YA fiction. Abby Jimenez writes great romance but usually more emotional.
MALIBU RISING
Of these great women books, I think “Carrie Soto is Back” is the best. Also a great beach read.
do you need to care about tennis to like it?
Not at all - I learned a bunch about tennis but didn't need to care to get sucked into the book
Crazy rich Asians hand down
yes!! his newest stand alone lies and weddings was also great, give me all the rich people drama
Yes!! Came here to say this.
*yes* 👏
SUMMER SISTERS
Seconded!
Was coming here to say the same thing!!
THE IDEA OF YOU (the book is a million times better than the movie)
FUNNY STORY Emily Henry - loved it so much and this was my first EH read!
MEET ME AT THE LAKE was a great escape read while I was at the lake last weekend. Even reading it in sentence/paragraph increments (interrupted by two young children constantly) I still flew through it.
BEAUTIFUL RUINS by Jess Walter - will make you want to move to Italy immediately.
Ah YES I read that a few years ago - loved it.
DAISY JONES AND THE SIX
ahhhhhh YES - I devoured the show!
The book is just as good if not better!
Agree to anything by Elin Hildebrand and Emily Henry. WELCOME HOME STRANGER was a good, quick, thoughtful read. HUSBANDS. SANDWICH 1000000%. Enjoyed SICILIAN INHERITANCE for sure. REAL AMERICANS and GOODBYE VITAMIN by Rachel Khong. Enjoy your beach reading!
Anything by Emily Henry, Jasmine Guillory, Elin Hildebrand and Kristin Hannah and Christina Lauren!
CRAZY RICH ASIANS and LIES AND WEDDINGS! Love me some Kevin Kwan in the summertime.
TWILIGHT, I know but I'm sticking by my choice.
unfortunately I don’t have any recs for this, but I’m going to cape cod in two weeks and will be livingggg in this comments section for ideas until then
Anything by Beth O’Leary, Helen Hoang, Alisha Rai. And you already listed my fave authors and books. The Sicilian Inheritance?! (Chef’s kiss) 🤌
SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE by Olivia Muenter! Influencing! Sharanting! Missing persons case!
Okay this is not remotely what you asked for, but if anyone is into narrative nonfiction The Big House by George Howe Colt was one of my favorite beach reads the last few years. It almost made my stack for this year's trip as a reread, but in the end my stack was to tall (librarian problems) and I pulled it out. Good stuff.
wow a reread!
I'm reading A Year in the Maine Woods, and Tell the Wolves I'm Home
VACATIONLAND by Meg Mitchell Moore
Currently reading Sandwich and it hits all the criteria!
Sorry, SANDWICH
It is SO. GOOD.
My fave beach reads are rich people behaving badly and facing consequences. Some recent ones I liked are VERY BAD COMPANY and BAD SUMMER PEOPLE. PINEAPPLE STREET, WIVES LIKE US, and MALIBU RISING.
LOVED pineapple street and I share your enthusiasm for rich people behaving badly!!
I loved WIVES LIKE US. I read it just before a trip to the Cotswolds and forced everyone I met to buy a copy. While in a local English bookstore, the owner whispered to me-- the author is just like her characters.... there you have it! What better rec can you get?
deLICIOUS
I just started Bad Summer People and I'm digging it so far. Pineapple Street was great too.
Anything Emily Henry, Just read How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang. AMazing. Also, anything by Christina Lauren
Emily Henry’s Beach Read gets my vote!
ahhhh EVERYTHING Emily Henry!
💯
Ashley Poston is great—she’s like Emily Henry but with a fun magical realism twist! Her new book A NOVEL LOVE STORY is good but my fave of hers is THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP.
Also recommend anything by Dolly Alderton, THE HAPPY COUPLE by Naoise Dolan, THE RACHEL INCIDENT by Caroline O’Donaghue, and REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLY by Monica Heisey
THE MIDNIGHT FEAST by Lucy Foley. Posh resort on the English coast, rotating narrators, class drama, old secrets, spooky and delicious. White Lotus meets the Blair Witch Project. Devoured it!
This is a few years old but "You Deserve Each Other" by Sarah Hogle. I just remember it being hilarious and fun. I've only read one Olivia Dade book but have heard good things. I really like Emma Lord - cute YA fiction. Abby Jimenez writes great romance but usually more emotional.
oooooooh