What does the “perfect beach read” mean to you? Do you prefer long, winding tales that you could spend an entire day losing yourself in? Or, do you want something short and sweet (cue Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter) that you could finish in an afternoon?
We asked the Bookstr team to define the phrase “great beach read” in their own words, and everyone agreed: beach reads need to be quick! While we couldn’t narrow it down to a single genre, everyone said that a good beach read should be light, something that can be picked up and put back down without too much effort. Here’s our list of Bookstr’s easy beach reads for a relaxing day in the sun.
American Royals by Katharine McGee
My definition for a beach read is that it has to be entertaining, but something that is still pretty lighthearted and easy to read, and it doesn’t require a lot of thinking and has a lot of action, and is super enjoyable and interesting. For example, a book that I would consider a beach read (because I did read it on the beach) is American Royals. It is action-packed, feels like a reality TV show, and it’s just extremely entertaining.
– Solenn Vincent, Social
The Stranger by Albert Camus
I think a beach read can be anything that’s not too dense in either prose, plot, or concept. The beach can get pretty loud with families around, so a good beach read doesn’t require you to keep track of too many moving parts. A good example would be The Stranger. It’s a nice, concise novella whose narrator has intentionally simple prose. The writing style, plus a focus on stream of consciousness storytelling, makes it a light but enriching read for the beach.
– Ethan Cunanan, Social
By a Thread by Lucy Score
The beach is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the moment. As much as I love to read, I don’t want to feel like I have to keep reading; I want to be able to set the book aside. For that reason, the beach is the perfect place to reread a favorite I’ve read over and over. I know what’s going to happen, I still enjoy it, but if I want to nap under the shade of my umbrella or join the kids in the water, off I go. One of my favorite books to casually read is By a Thread by Lucy Score. Contemporary Romantic Comedy that checks all the boxes, including an adorable — and sexy — HEA. It’s perfect for beach reading.
– Kristi Eskew, Executive Editor
Happy Place by Emily Henry
In my opinion, a great beach read is a light and easy read, but a book that is still captivating and interesting. My preferred genre is always romance, and for me, romance novels are almost always the perfect beach read. A fast-paced, lighthearted book is perfect to hold my attention without requiring too much effort to understand a complex storyline. One of my favorite beach reads is Happy Place by Emily Henry. The writing is simple and direct, but the storyline is heartwarming and kept me invested, wanting to read more. I found myself wanting to get out of the ocean on a really hot day just to get back to my chair to read.
– Nicole Vecchia, Social
A Business Proposal by Haehwa, Illustrated by Narak
To me, the phrase “great beach read” means a book that is easy to get into, engaging, and enjoyable without being too heavy or complex. It can be entertaining, with a fast-paced plot, likable characters, and maybe a little romance, mystery, or drama. It is the kind of book you can pick up and get lost in, even with the sound of waves and people around you.
One of my favorite beach reads is a romance graphic novel series called Business Proposal. I watched the Korean drama on Netflix and absolutely loved it. When I heard they were publishing it as a romance graphic novel, I knew I had to get it right away. It’s a fun, fast-paced love story set in a workplace, involving mistaken identities, office drama, and lots of romantic tension. Visually, the graphic novel format brings the story to life with expressive artwork, dramatic panels, and vibrant scenes that highlight both the comedic and emotional moments. It is a mix of humor, romance, and corporate chaos, perfect for any fan of rom-coms with a touch of drama and heart. 100% recommend it!
– Alysha Medina, Outreach
Remember Me by Christopher Pike
I am a mother of two autistic children, so when I’m at the beach, I am not alone with my own thoughts. Though my husband is also there, I am constantly having to glance up or pause and respond to them. This is life! Thus, I need my book to be a quick, easy read when I’m on the beach. I need to be able to dive in and out of it with ease, and I need to be able to finish it in one weekend at the longest. The genre doesn’t matter, but I prefer horror, thrillers, mysteries, STEM-driven action, and highly unique nonfiction.
The latest book I read on the beach this summer was Remember Me by Christopher Pike, a vintage paranormal mystery thriller published in the early 1980s. The length is the sweet spot: 320 pages of story that are effortless to finish within two days. It also takes place in a beach city in California, which makes it thematically perfect all around.
– Erin Dzielski, Editorial
The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther
To me, a great beach read is something that is light, breezy, and easy to read. I tend to reread some of my favorites when I go to the beach because I don’t really want to start really dense books, like a fantasy, where I’d really have to concentrate on everything happening, instead of relaxing. Beaches are normally very noisy, so for me, it’s easier to read something like a romance or thriller. One of my favorite beach reads is The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther. It’s a YA contemporary romance set on Martha’s Vineyard, and it has all of the summer vibes you could want! It’s become a sort of tradition for me to reread this book at least once a year during the summer, and it has both a fast pace and a captivating plot. I normally finish this book in either a day or two, and I highly recommend it!
– Mattie Lugar, Social
Girls: Life Isn’t a Fairy Tale by Annet Schaap
One word: short. Trying to read at the beach as a parent means trying to keep one eye and both ears on the kid at all times while enjoying my book, so a light and breezy read is ideal. I love romance novellas or short story collections as vacation reads for just this reason. I brought Annet Schaap’s Girls on a recent trip and loved that I could pick it up and put it down, yet still be fully engaged by every story.
– Cara Broel, Editorial & Outreach
Next time you’re chilling by the ocean, why not try diving into one of these entertaining books? You might just discover your new favorite summer read!
For more beach read recs, click here.
Need books to entertain younger readers during the summer? Check out our Bookshop shelf here!
