Unique Beach Reads That Will Make a Great Vacation!
One of my favorite things about a beach vacation is getting to sit in a beach chair and read while enjoying the sounds of the ocean. There is nothing more relaxing! And when I think of the type of book I want to read at the beach, I want something that will grab me from the get-go and keep me turning the pages. If you’re like me, and you are fortunate enough to find yourself headed to the beach this summer, you’ll probably be looking for a stack of titles to take with you. And if you are traveling somewhere else, or not traveling at all, that’s ok too! Anywhere can be a great place to relax! For this post, Karen and Kristin are collaborating with me to bring you a variety of great suggestions. So, check out our lists below of our favorite beach reads!
Note: The links to the books are affiliate links. That means, if you purchase one of these books through the link, What A Good Day will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The opinions are my own. We appreciate your support!
Kristin's Beach Reads List
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
The concept of this book grabs you right away. It describes the life of Lydia, whose husband tragically dies on her 28th birthday. Her husband, Freddie, had been a part of her life for over ten years, and it is hard for her to forge ahead with a new life. She later has a chance to go back to a world where Freddie is still alive, but she has to choose if she wants to return to the past or to a new future where another love awaits her.
Overseas by Beatriz Williams
This is one of my all time favorite books by an author I always enjoy reading. It combines an element of time travel with a great love story with some historical fiction thrown in. Captain Julian Ashford’s life is saved by the appearance of a mysterious woman during the Great War in 1916. Fast forward to 2007, and Kate Wilson suddenly and deeply falls in love with a billionaire who it turns out has been waiting for her.
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
Full of charm and quirky characters, this fun and light read transports you to a remote village in Scotland. Nina loves to pair up the perfect book with a reader, and she gets to do that every day in her job as a librarian in a big city. When she is laid off, she makes a huge change and creates a traveling bookshop to deliver the love of reading to a distant area in Scotland. She finds that life in a small village might just be the perfect match for her.
Great earbuds that fit well and stay put!
Karen's Beach Reads List
When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal
I read this book a couple of months ago, and it is the perfect beach read. It has mystery, romance, and drama. Kit’s sister, Josie, died in a tragic terrorist attack several years before. Then Kit sees a woman in the background of a news broadcast who looks exactly like her sister. She sets out to solve the mystery of the woman’s identity. This journey takes Kit from the shores of Santa Cruz to New Zealand as she faces her losses, her childhood traumas, and her life choices.
The Water Keeper by Charles Martin
I love Charles Martin books. When I read this one, Murphy Shepherd became one of my favorite characters ever. He lives in and keeps up an old church on an island near Jacksonville, Florida. He is a man who has secrets and he is a man who spends his time trying to save the lost. One night a girl, whom it seems he cannot help, stops by the church. As she leaves, he also leaves on his boat to lay to rest his mentor and friend. However, soon his journey is interrupted when he pulls a beautiful woman from the waters off the coast of Florida. This sets off a chain of events that will keep you turning pages to the very end! And be sure to have the two sequels to this book, The Letter Keeper, and The Record Keeper on hand because you will want to read them as well.
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
This is one of Sparks earlier books, but it is definitely a good beach read. It is a romance and a thriller. The Guardian features a young widow, Julie, and her Great Dane, Singer. After his death, her late husband left her a promise that he would always be watching over her. It has been four years since he passed away and she is trying to move forward. She has two men in her life that she is trying to choose between. As she looks for happiness, Julie finds that things are not what they seem to be and things take a bad turn. As danger is lurking ever nearer, is there anyone who can help her?
Jamie's Beach Reads List
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
If you are a mystery junkie like me, you probably know Agatha Christie. I’ve read several of her books, and this is one of my favorites! Ten strangers, all with a secret, are invited to a private island by an eccentric millionaire. When they arrive, their host is missing. They are greeted instead by a series of murders that follow the pattern of a chilling nursery rhyme that adorns the walls of every room in the mansion in which they are trapped. Who will be left at the end? You have to read to find out. This classic page-turner is a perfect beach read!
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
I love a good survival story, especially if it is true. This one chronicles the tragedy of the Essex, the whaling ship that Herman Melville used as his inspiration for the classic, Moby Dick. I like Moby Dick, but I LOVE this book. It provides an in-depth look into New England’s whaling culture, and the story itself is gripping. The men in this story have spent their lives on a ship, but what happens when the ship goes down? How can they survive? Even if nonfiction isn’t your thing, if you want a beach read that’s a little different, check this one out!
The Barefoot Bay Brides Series by Roxanne St. Claire
Every now and then, I just want to read a feel-good romance. And when you want a beach read, it is just the thing! If you like romance, and you’d like to read something set at the beach, check out this series! There are 14 total books set in the fictional resort of Barefoot Bay. Some are straight romance and others add in a little suspense to the mix. They are sexy and engaging reads, and free on Kindle Unlimited. This first one, Secrets on the Sand, is about a maid at the resort and the geeky millionaire whose eye she catches. It’s a second-chance romance thats predictable, but as fun and relaxing as toes in the sand.
Audible is a great way to listen to books while driving, multitasking, etc. Once you try it you'll never go back!
We hope you find the perfect book for a vacation or a lazy afternoon at home this summer! What are your favorite beach reads? Drop a comment below!
And if you need more book recommendations, check out these posts:
- What’s On Your Summer Reading List? Here are Our Picks!
- Need More Mystery in Your Life? Discover a New Mystery Series to Read!
- Authors With Books Galore You’ll Love to Read
- Fantastic Poetry Books Everyone Will Love!
- An American Sampler: The Best Books from Each Region!
- Ten Remarkable Dystopia Books That Will Make You Think!
Have a good day!
Content of this post belongs to Jamie @whatagoodday.com. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. I’m happy for you to share this post but be sure to link to this post. Thank you.
I really enjoyed your suggestions for beach reads!! I have read a few of these books and enjoyed them very much!!
You suggested “When We Beleived in Mermaids” to me. You were right. It is such a good book!! 🙂