Best Books to Read This Summer on the Beach

Looking forward to plenty of sun-drenched days spent sprawled out on a picturesque beach this summer? If so, then you’ll want to check out the books we accompany you to the beach this summer.

What is a day at the beach without the perfect summer read? From tear-jerkers to giggler-inducers, we give you the down lo on the books you have to read this summer.

Check ‘em out and start reading!

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Written by a New York Times bestselling author, this book has been described by Time Magazine as being ‘damn near genius’. And … they’re not wrong either.

Told from the perspective of a 16-year-old cancer patient called Hazel, the novel follows Hazel as she attends a cancer support group. In the group are other cancer patients (mostly young adults and children) who form strong relationships and connections as they help each other battle cancer and their own personal demons.

It sounds heavy because it is a little heavy, so have a tissue box close by as this book is equally as moving as it is inspirational and heartfelt.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

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Ever wondered what would happen if a plane full of stunning beauty queens (or at least, wannabe beauty queens) crashed onto a deserted island?

Well, wonder no more because the fantastic Libba Bray has narrated this satirical storyline for you. And there’s probably an app for that. Just kidding. Actually, have you checked, ‘cos there might very well be … anyway.

If you’re still not quite sure what a plane full of deserted beauty queens would look like, think about a mix of ‘Lost’, ‘Survivor’, ‘Lord of the Flies’ and ‘Miss America’. Getting the idea?

Expect tears, tantrums, evening gowns and a body count.

The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness

This is possibly one of my all-time favorite books. Poignant, beautifully written and surprisingly quirky, The Crane Wife tells of how an ordinary, middle-aged man, George, comes across an injured crane in his backyard.

The next day, the charming Kumiko arrives in his print shop. Besotted, George begins a relationship with her and falls deeply in love. However, he is puzzled by her the mystery surrounding her. In trying to learn more about her though, he manages to destroy their relationship.

The story is derived from a traditional Japanese folk tale and continuously connects back to the original folk tale while telling the more modern story.

For the best reading experience, suspend your disbelief.

Dreaming in Hindi by Katherine Russell Rich

From the outside, it might have seemed like Katherine Russell Rich had it all. Employed by a number of glossy magazines, she was living the life many dreamed of.

However, what everyone didn’t know was that Katherine had been wasting away at the glossy mags and had already had two dashes with death in the form of life-threatening cancer. In an attempt to recapture her passion and transform her life, Katherine travelled to India where she learned Hindi and discovered more about herself than she’d ever thought possible.

Described as a ‘crash course in emotional agility’, this book will have you laughing, crying and learning along with her.

The Help by Katherine Stockett

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Most people will recognize this book because of the movie version with Emma Stone. And while the movie is undoubtedly fabulous, there’s something about the novel that film simply cannot capture.

If you aren’t familiar with the story, it follows the lives of Skeeter, a 22-year-old graduate from Ole Miss, Aibileen, a black maid and Minny, Aibileen’s best friend. Together, these three amazing women create a movement that changes their town and helps decrease racism and sexism. Plenty of humor, fun and giggles for quite a weighty topic.

I recommend you read the book first and then watch the movie, although either way I doubt you’re going to be able to picture Skeeter without imagining Emma Stone! 

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

This is just one of those books that you have to read this summer. And if not this summer, then winter. And if not winter, well, whenever you can. Because trust me, it’s worth it.

Written in such a way that you want to linger over the words and allow them to marinate in your mind, it’s a brilliant example of the power of words.

Told in first person, Memoirs of a Geisha is a fictional tale following Chiyo Sakamoto, a Japanese geisha. We first meet Chiyo when she is nine-years-old and is taken away from her family to live at a geisha boarding house. From here, she finds herself targeted by the house bully, Hatsumomo and then taken in as the protégé of popular geisha, Mameha, who is also Hatsumomo’s rival.

The rest of the story throws Chiyo many losses as well as many gains as she establishes herself as an admired geisha. A brilliant tale of love, revenge, friendship and Japanese culture.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Picture a young boy, Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel, being stranded on a boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for 227 days. Now, add in a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker as his only companion and you have the base for one of the world’s most revered books – Life of Pi.

Described as a fantasy adventure, this book shows how an average Indian boy can survive against all odds.

Warning: there are some explicit scenes in this book, so only read if you’re okay with some blood and gore.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

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What do you do if you’ve lost your passion for life? If you can’t remember the last time you really knew what you wanted or when you actively chased your dreams? Or if you can’t even remember the last time you were single?

Well, you could always quit your job, give up everything you know and go on a journey of self-discovery to Italy, India and Bali. At least, that’s what Elizabeth Gilbert did when she found herself in this situation, and best of all, she wrote all about it.

Filled with loads of laughter, meaning and philosophy it’s a great read for one of those ‘ugh’ days when you can’t summon up the energy to go on a journey yourself.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Oh, boy. If you haven’t read this book yet, you’re in for a huge surprise. Potentially one of the best romance novels in the last century (yes, I’ve gone that far), Beautiful Disaster is quickly becoming a cult classic.

And to be honest with you, my description will never do it justice, so here is the official blurb:

She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

See more here

The Boy Who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window by Kirsty Moseley

I guzzled down this book in one night it was that good. Essentially the story is about a brother and a sister, Jake and Amber, who suffer at the hands of an abusive father. One night, after their one of their Father’s infamous abusive rants, Jake’s best friend, Liam, sees Amber crying. Worried, Liam climbs through her bedroom window and begins a rocky yet cherished relationship with her.

However, what’s more interesting than the storylibe is the emotion and anguish that is captured on the page and how easily Moseley can tug long-hidden feelings from you. A great read and one perfect for the beach this summer.

Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

I have publicly outed my girl crush for Ms. Keil before and will do so again now: I love you. I will possibly always love you. And I think you’re fabulous.

Why the obsession?

Because, quite frankly, Keil is amazing. Life in Outer Space isn’t a novel; it’s a piece of written art. Delicate yet blunt, funny yet moving, intricate yet mind-blowingly simple.

The simple story of how a boy and a girl meet on a bus and become unwilling friends is one that will stay in my mind forever. A love story? Yes. A comedy? Yes. A drama? Yes. Tick, tick, tick, my friends.  And I’m sorry but I don’t want to tell you more. It’ll ruin the surprise. Now go and buy it!

Do you have any other books that should be added to this list? Let us know about them by adding a comment below!

Happy reading!

About the author

Cassandra Lane

While Cassandra readily admits to being a rampant cupcake aficionada (how could she not be with an almost-brother-in-law that owns not one, but three cupcake shops?) she happily works off her lust of all things sweet and sugary by slogging it out in the gym and outdoors.

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