When I think of beach/vacation reads, I think of books that offer entertainment, relaxation, and escapism, allowing readers to unwind and enjoy themselves while on holiday. Whether lounging on a beach, sitting by the pool, or traveling to new destinations, a vacation read can be the perfect companion to enhance the leisurely atmosphere and create memorable reading experiences during holidays.
A good vacation read is usually engaging, easy to read, and immersive, capturing the reader's attention and transporting them to different worlds, times or cultures. It may have a captivating storyline, compelling characters, or thought-provoking ideas.
Some of the vacation reads listed below are light-hearted and humorous, and some are more thought-provoking and introspective, while still providing an opportunity to relax and enjoy reading for pleasure.
These vacation reads will allow you to escape into a captivating narrative, explore new perspectives, or simply enjoy a well-crafted, engaging story.
Here are some of the best books to read on vacation.
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
This book follows the story of Elle Bishop, who, over the course of a single day at her family's summer retreat, grapples with a life-altering decision that forces her to confront secrets, desires, and the complexities of love.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Read
This is a captivating novel set in the 1970's music scene. It chronicles the rise and fall of a fictional rock band, exploring the dynamics of its members, the creation of their iconic album, and the tumultuous relationships that shape their journey to fame.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Seven Days in June is a contemporary romance that follows the story of Eva Mercy and Shane Hall, two successful writers who reconnect after ten years and embark on a passionate love affair over the course of seven days, forcing them to confront their past, secrets, and the possibility of a second chance at love.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Beach Read is a delightful romance novel about two rival authors who find themselves living next door to each other for the summer. As they challenge each other to write in a different genre and spend time together, they discover unexpected connections, healing from past heartbreak, and a chance at a new chapter in their lives.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
This is a memoir that is told through a series of humorous and heartfelt anectdoctes. Alderton reflects on her experiences with love, friendships, and growing up, offering insightful and relatable observations on the complexities of relationships and the lessons learned along the way.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
This romance novel follows Olive and Ethan, who embark on a tropical honeymoon together as the only two non-food-poisoned guests from a wedding they attended. They go even though they can't stand each other. As they navigate unexpected situations and masquerades as a couple, they discover that their initial animosity may be hiding a surprising attraction.
Wrong Place, wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
In this compelling thriller we follow Jen, who anxiously waits up for her 18-year-old son, Todd, to return home. When Todd finally emerges, Jen watches through a window as she sees her son stab a total stranger. When Jen wakes up the next morning, it is yesterday. Each morning, when Jen wakes, she is further back in the past, first weeks, then years before the murder.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Get a Life, Chloe brown revolves around Chloe brown, a chronically ill woman who makes a "Get a Life" list and enlists the help of Redford Morgan, a talented artist, to complete it, leafing to a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and unexpected love.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
This is a witty and quirky novel that follows the story of Bernadette, a brilliant but eccentric architect who suddenly disappears, leaving her daughter Bee to piece together her mother's whereabouts. Through a series of emails, documents, and Bee's perspective, this book explores Bernadette's unconventional life, her struggles, and the unconventional journey she takes to find herself.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This is a captivating novel that delves int the scandalous and intriguing life of Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo. Through a series of interviews with an aspiring journalist, Evelyn reveals the truth behind her seven marriages, her rise to stardom, and the secrets she has kept hidden for decades.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
This is a gripping thriller that follows the story of Hannah as she tries to uncover the truth behind her husband's sudden disappearance and cryptic final message to her. With the help of her stepdaughter, they embark on a journey of unravelling dark secrets and discovering unexpected alliances to find out what really happened to him.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
In this book we follow Nora, a cutthroat literary agent. She's a powerhouse of a person who is really good at her job. She agrees to go to Sunshine Falls-a small town that one of her clients wrote about- with her dear sister, Libby, where she encounters Charlie Lastra, a book editor she met with a few years prior. This first encounter was not great, and in a chain of happenstances, they end up having to be around each other over and over again.
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
His Only Wife is a compelling novel that tells the story of Afi, a young woman in Ghana who enters into a marriage of convenience with a wealthy man. As she navigates the challenges of her new life, Afi begins to question societal expectations, love, and her own pursuit of happiness.
Cape May by Chip Cheek
Henry and Effie, very young newlyweds from Georgia, arrive in Cape May, New Jersey, for their honeymoon only to find the town is deserted. Feeling shy of each other and isolated, they decide to cut the trip short. But before they leave, they meet a glamorous set of people who sweep them up into their drama.
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
The Flat Share is a delightful romantic comedy that follows the story of Tiffy and Leon, who share a flat but have never met. Through a unique arrangement where they occupy the flat at different times, they begin to communicate through notes and develop an unlikely connection that gradually blossoms into a heartwarming romance.
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
Hot Milk is a compelling novel that follows Sofia, a young woman accompanying her mother Rose to a clinic in Spain in search of a cure for her mysterious illness. In the heat of the Spanish Coast, Sofia navigates complex relationships, confronts her own identity, and grapples with the boundaries of self-discovery.
Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud
Set in Trinidad, this is a poignant and beautifully written novel that explores the complexities of love, family, and identity. It follows the lives of three characters- Betty, Solo, and Mr.Chetan-as they go through their individual struggles, form an unconventional family, and ultimately find solace and love in unexpected places.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him—so when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in his freshman year of college, it’s as if the world has lit up around him. With Julia comes her family, as she and her three sisters are inseparable: Sylvie, the family’s dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. With the Padavanos, William experiences a newfound contentment; every moment in their house is filled with loving chaos.
But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable devotion to one another.
Maame by Jessica George
With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson's. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting. When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
Call Me by Your Name is the story of a sudden and powerful romance that blossoms between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents' cliff-side mansion on the Italian Riviera.
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