Favorite Beach Reads for the Summer

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Looking to add to your summer reading list? These light-hearted, feel-good stories are the best beach reads to add to your beach bag this summer!

Summer is my favorite season. Usually, summer means travel, day trips, and long weekend vacations.

This year is of course a bit different.

We’re lucky to have lots of beaches and parks in the area that we live in. As well as our own little patio on the balcony, where we’re spending lots of time this summer.

But I’m so grateful that we’ve had some amazing summer weather. We can spend time outdoors, in the sun, with a book in one hand, and probably a drink in the other.

The one that has not changed is my love of reading outdoors, whether I’m on vacation or just on the balcony at home. I find that it helps that there are none of the distractions that I typically find inside the home (ahem Netflix).

Typically the books I like to read outdoors or on vacation, are light-hearted, and not too serious. Of course, that means that this list is filled with feel-good stories, many of which are in the romance / chick-lit categories.

If those are also your type of beach reads, then this book list is definitely for you!

10 Best Beach Reads to add to your Reading List this summer

The Rosie Project & The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

This series is about an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor with Asperger’s Syndrome, who is on a quest find true love (The Rosie Project), and then start a family (The Rosie Effect). If feel-good and funny are your thing, then these books will definitely keep you entertained on your next beach vacation.

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

This is a story about the romance of Alexa, and Drew, who meet when stuck on an elevator. This leads to Alexa becoming Drew’s plus-one to his ex’s wedding that weekend. I loved that there was diversity in the characters, with an interracial relationship, and it definitely falls in the chick-lit category!

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

I had to include Sophie Kinsella on this list. My favorite books by Sophie Kinsella are books in the Shopaholic series. The series chronicles the life of Becky Bloomwood, a shopaholic, who can’t afford her shopping addiction. Woven in there, of course, is a meet-cute love story, and a series of events that transform her life. If you haven’t read any of her books start with the first one, Confessions of a Shopaholic. The easy-breezy stories make them the perfect beach reads!

Me Before you by Jojo Moyes

This book starts looks like a predictable story about the love between two unlikely individuals, but ends up to be sort of unpredictable, and very heartfelt story. Be warned, I did cry in the book, but nevertheless, I still think it makes for a great vacation read!

Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

Think Indian soap opera / Bollywood movie turned into a book. This is a romantic, feel-good, drama-filled story of Ayesha, and her search for love, when she isn’t really looking. I could really relate to the nuances of being South Asian, in Canada, and navigating family life in Canada, from the perspective of an immigrant Muslim family.

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Lina finds herself spending her summer in Tuscany, after her mother passes away and her last wish is for Lina to spend the summer in Italy to get to know her father. The book is a feel-good story about Lina’s journey, getting to know her mother, through her journal, and exploring Italy finding Love & Gelato.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

If you have watched Trevor Noah’s standup comedy routines or The Daily Show, then this book needs to be on your list! The book is a look into Trevor Noah’s background, filled with lots of comedy, just as you’d expect. What I liked most about his book was how his stories come across as genuine stories. He doesn’t shy away from difficult parts of his life, and he provides lots of context of the culture and people of South Africa for those of us who don’t have that background. Highly recommended book, it’s an easy read but you come away from it learning lots!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

In the realm of nonfiction autobiographies, Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me by Mindy Kaling are essays/anecdotes about Kaling’s life. The stories are written in her voice, and feels as though Kaling is speaking to you directly. Though the flow of the anecdotes is seemingly random, the stories are definitely entertaining!

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

This book is a mild thriller – a little bit different than the chick-lit, romance type novel. It is a story about nine strangers who meet at a health resort. The story unfolds with lots of insight into their lives before they got to the resort, and how it will be changed after. There were a lot of characters to keep track of at first, but once you get into it, it gets easier!

There you go, some of my favorite book recommendations for your next beach vacation! I’m also always looking for book recommendations. Did I miss any of your favorite books on this list?

Let me know in the comments below!

Cheers,