Am I the only one who brings a bunch of books on vacation but then never actually reads them while they are there? A beach vacation is the only exception! I spend a lot of time on the beach during the summer, so I am going to share some of the best books I read with my feet in the sand over the last few years. Also, I noticed when putting this together that a lot of these books are not what I would typically think of as beach reads.
I buddy read The One with my best friend, which was fun because he isn’t the biggest reader but loves a good thriller. This was a couple of years ago and he still talks about this book. I know that John Marrs has a new book coming out this month and it has been getting amazing review, so I might ask if he wants to read that one together.
The Fifth Season is not your typical beach read but I remember being so engrossed in this story and something about the waves in the background was perfect setting for me to devour this fantasy. There was a lot to take in and being able to sit there for hours with no distractions and do nothing else but read this masterpiece was exactly what I needed!
My mom is not the biggest reader either, but she will pick up something to read on the beach! I read Allegedly, which is a book that really messed with me and I still think about often, and she read The Nightgale, which she really loved.
I read Sundial on the beach this summer and, while it wasn’t my favourite book ever, the experience of reading it was top tier. It was such a weird horror and I was happy to be reading it in the sunshine so I wasn’t too creeped out by it.
My Dark Vanessa is another book that you probably wouldn’t pack in your beach bag, but I did and I still vividly remember reading this disturbing book and being fully engrossed.
Melmoth is Gothic horror and it gets mixed reviews, but I loved it. I wonder if the fact that I was able to read it in one sitting while at the beach plays into that. The last line still haunts me all of these years later!
Now The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is the perfect beach read and one that I have recommended to many people in my real life! I just watched the trailer for the movie adaptation and I am so excited!
Scythe was another book that I devoured at the beach and I really should buy the rest of the series so I can finish it next summer!
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Haven’t been to the beach in years but I always read heavy books. I remember reading Lord of the Flies on the beach.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to the beach, but I always take a stack of books with me! I go for a week, I take at least ten books. I like to have options.
I love Fikry! I love your “on location” pictures!
Thank you, Carol! Fikry is the best!
Awesome list, and I really love your beachy book pics! I don’t really read on vacation on the rare occasion that I do go, but maybe I would if I went to the beach more?
Here’s my take on this week’s topic: http://leahs-books.com/2022/10/11/ttt-books-i-want-to-read-by-latine-authors/
Thank you! The beach is my favourite place to read!
It’s funny, I live in a beach town, and I hardly ever go there! When I do, I don’t read, because I can’t take my eyes off my kids 😂 I keep planning to go by myself one day to read, but I never do. Maybe your post will inpsire me 😉
My Dark Vanessa is one of the most unsettling books I’ve ever read. I don’t think I will ever forget it.
Great list! I also take books and don’t read them! My Dark Vanessa looks fab!
It is! Very dark and disturbing but well done.
Great list of books! I love the beach setting. It’s been so long since I have been to the beach. 😍
Thank you! It’s my happy place!
I love all the pictures! Beach reading is sooooo relaxing — can’t wait until I have a chance!