40+ Beach Reads for Every Reading Mood

Whether you’re actually hitting the beach this summer, heading off on vacation or spending most of your time stuck behind a laptop, we could all use a good beach read to get lost in.

“Beach read” means something different to everyone. To me, a beach read is any book you can take to the beach or read on vacation.

But everyone likes to read something different on vacation! Some people want to escape into a book they’d never have time to read at home while others want a light read they can pick up between dips in the ocean.

Since there’s no single definition of a beach read, I thought I’d share a few options with you based on your vacation personality. Since 2019, I’ve read 220 books across all different genres, so I hope I can help find the perfect book for you!

Whether you want a book that will make you think, make you cry or make you stay up all night to finish it, I’ve got a suggestion for you to add to your summer TBR.

Below I’m sharing 40+ beach reads that I have personally read and recommend, based on your reading style, mood and interests.

Ready? Let’s find you your perfect beach read for your next holiday!

11 beach reads that will take you on vacation

Are you the kind of person who wants to read a book set in the place where you happen to be vacationing? Or maybe this year isn’t going to see you doing a lot of travel, so instead you’ll have to travel through books.

Whether you’re on vacation and want some jet-setting company or you’re stuck at home and need a book to transport you, you’ll find a great beach read on this list of books set in wonderful places around the world!

1. Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui

Chinese Canadian reporter Ann Hui travels across Canada visiting small towns and trying out their local Chinese restaurants, while also sharing her parents’ history of coming to Canada and working in restaurants.

As a Chinese Canadian myself, I loved following Ann’s travels across the country. I’d highly recommend this one to food lovers and road trip lovers!

2. Paris in Love by Eloisa James

This was the first book I read when we returned from Prague and it immediately brought me back to Europe. Paris in Love is filled with little stories of a family’s year abroad in Paris.

All of the chapters are short, with little snippets of life abroad, so this is a great read if you don’t have time to get deep into a complex plot.

3. At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider

In this family travel book, the Oxenreider family takes off to spend an entire year travelling the world.

I loved following this family’s adventures and hearing Tsh’s thoughts on different complex subjects. I think this is the perfect read if you have a bad case of wanderlust!

4. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

This book has been around for a while (and remains one of my favourite memoirs) but if you haven’t read it yet, you should. Previous host of The Daily Show and stand up comedian Trevor Noah shares stories growing up as a mixed kid in South Africa.

It’s heartbreaking and hilarious! I read this as an ebook but would love to listen to the audiobook version, as Trevor himself narrates.

5. His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

Travel to Ghana in His Only Wife and join rootable heroine Afi as she attempts to navigate the different societal classes in Ghana and find her place in the world.

This book was introduced to me via an online book club and I’m so glad I found out about it. It’s an engaging story with lots of beautiful culture woven throughout and a new look at feminism.

6. The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman

This book has romance, family drama, history, food and a lot of love for Italy. What more could you want out of a beach read?

I’m usually not a big romance or family drama reader, but this book totally sucked me in and had me dreaming of my next trip back to Italy!

7. Call You When I Land by Nikki Vargas

In this memoir, Nikki shares how she made travel such a huge part of her life (she’s now a well known travel magazine editor) and how it intersected with her relationships.

I was initially drawn to this book for the travel aspect but it was actually Nikki’s more personal stories that stuck with me. I listened to this one as an audiobook and highly recommend it!

8. From Scratch by Tembi Locke

One more for Italy! This non-fiction book by actress Tembi Locke is nothing short of a love letter – a love letter to her deceased husband, adopted daughter, good home cooked food, Sicily and herself.

This book is beautiful and a must-read. It had me crying huge tears in my living room. There’s also a Netflix show based on this book, if you need some visuals to go with your reading.

9. The Bookseller at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw

This memoir tells the story of New Zealander Ruth who went through a lot of trauma in her younger years, but eventually wound up running a bookshop in Manapouri, New Zealand after many years adventuring around the Pacific.

We actually drove past Ruth’s bookshop on our way to Doubtful Sound in April 2023. Sadly, she was closed for the season!

10. Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

You might not be able to go to Antarctica this summer but now you can in this fun, epistolary novel. I love when novels try new formats, such as this one told through letters and emails.

Without giving too much away, 15 year old Bee is promised a family trip to Antarctica if she aces her report card. But what happens when her odd-ball mom disappears? You’ll have to read the book – or watch the movie – to find out!

11. America the Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson

Blythe Roberson sets out on a solo road trip through some of the US National Parks in this travelogue that I found so hilarious, captivating and well-written.

Not only did I love following along on Blythe’s adventure (and insistence on getting her Junior Ranger badges, despite being an adult), but I loved how she weaved in important topics, like feminism, sustainability and indigenous rights, into her story.

Need more great travel books? Check out my list of 38 books for readers with wanderlust and my list of 27 travel books recommended by world travellers!

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11 beach reads that are light and fun

Looking for something light-hearted and fun to read on your next holiday? This list is for you!

All of these books put a huge smile on my face while I was reading them and were easy to jump in and out of. That means you don’t have to commit to hours and hours of non-stop reading (but you can, if you want to).

These books are perfect if you’re looking to relax, laugh and not deal with anything too dark or heavy.

1. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

I’m not usually a fan of romance books but this one totally hooked me. It was smart, well-written and showcases a couple we don’t usually get to see in media: an Asian-American man with autism and a mixed-race single mother from Vietnam.

If you love this one, there’s a few more in the series for you to read next!

2. Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

A plus-size main character, a wedding on Cape Cod, a spotlight on female friendships and a mystery to solve? Sign me up!

This book is perfect for a summer vacation and perfectly balances a few different genres, like mystery and contemporary fiction. If you’re heading to the Cape for your next vacation, pack this book along with you!

3. Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

A romance, a mystery and a gaggle of Indo-Chinese aunties who can’t help but get involved? Sounds like the recipe for a light and fun beach read to me!

While I did find this book a tad cheesy, it was still a great read with a fast paced plot that had me eagre to keep reading. I then moved on to the sequel, which was just as fun!

4. Beach Read by Emily Henry

I couldn’t put together a list of beach reads without including Beach Read, now could I? Two writers move in next door to one another and spend the summer trying to write their next books, as well as their own love story!

Is it a little cheesy? Sure! And to be honest, I’m not the biggest Emily Henry fan. But it is a fun read and perfect to pick up in the summer.

5. Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Front Desk was one of my favourite books of 2020 and while it does deal with some serious subjects like immigration and poverty, I still consider it a light summer read because it’s a middle grade book.

I don’t usually read middle grade books, but this one came highly recommended and won me over. Like me, you’ll fall in love with 10 year old Mia and be rooting for her and her family as they take over the Calivista Motel.

6. The Switch by Beth O’Leary

A grandmother from a tiny Yorkshire village and her granddaughter from London decide to trade apartments and lives for a few months in order to find themselves and maybe their new purpose in life.

This book is sweet and you’ll find yourself rooting for both heroines in equal measure. In dual perspective novels I usually find myself preferring one narrator over the other, so this was a nice change to like both of the main characters!

7. Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl

The underdog story of food writer Ruth Reichl who takes the job of Editor in Chief at Gourmet magazine and decides to make some big changes.

I found this book so cozy, uplifting and drool-worthy. Perfect for lovers of The Devil Wears Prada and the Food Network.

8. Here for It by R. Eric Thomas

This was another one of my favourite books I read in 2020 that provided a bit of lightness in an otherwise dark year.

Here for It is a hilarious memoir by R. Eric Thomas that will have you crying from laughter, from joy and maybe once or twice from sadness. Laugh along as Thomas shares stories from his life navigating his Black, gay and Christian identities.

9. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

I wouldn’t usually say fantasy books are light and fun reading, but cozy fantasy totally fits the bill! Legends & Lattes is a sweet story about an orc who decides to leave behind her life as a killer-for-hire in order to open a coffee shop.

There’s a sweet queer romance and lots of fun baking stories. All I wanted to do was cozy up with a cup of Joe and some of Thimble’s croissants!

10. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

I don’t know anyone who has read this sweet rom-com and disliked it. I don’t even like reading romance novels and I loved it!

In this beautiful world, the President of the United States is a Hispanic woman and her son falls in love with the Prince of England. It’s acceptance and young love at its finest! Plus, you can watch the movie version when you finish the book.

11. The Guncle by Steven Rowley

If you’re looking to read more and get out of a slump, I highly recommend picking up The Guncle. This is a pleasant read about an uncle who takes care of his niece and nephew for the summer.

I enjoyed it so much I read this book in one sitting! I can’t wait to read the sequel (May 2024) and watch the movie (currently in production).

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10 beach reads that will consume you

It’s not for everyone but I know some readers want a beach book that they can totally get lost in. They want to sit down with a book at breakfast and not get up until the sun starts to set.

There’s something so nice about getting lost in a book when you’re on vacation with no responsibilities and nothing else demanding your time. These books will definitely engage you and pull you into the story.

1. Know My Name by Chanel Miller

Know My Name was another one of my favourite books I read in 2020 and, in my opinion, a must-read for everyone. This is the true story of Chanel Miller, known originally as Emily Doe in the Stanford rapist case.

This book details Chanel’s heartbreaking experience following that trauma and dealing with the court system. As brutal as the facts are, Chanel manages to create a story that is honest and ultimately hopeful.

2. The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood

I read this dual-narrative novel in 2021 and could not put it down! The story follows two families from Pakistan and Iraq as they make their way to the United States on very different journeys.

This book had a little bit of everything – romance, family drama, comedy, mystery, horror, and more – and will keep you up at night finishing the last few chapters.

3. Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad

Another heartbreaking tale, Between Two Kingdoms is the true story of Suleika’s cancer journey and life as a cancer survivor.

While not a cheery book, Suleika’s writing is so powerful that you won’t want to stop reading. She does a great job of telling a story with a range of emotions, and not just a one-note sob story. Though pack your tissues, because this book did have me sobbing at times!

4. The Panic Years by Nell Frizzell

I don’t know if this will be a consuming book for everyone, but it definitely was for me. Nell Frizzell talks about the panic years, aka the years in a woman’s life when she has to make some big decisions about her romantic partner, her career and whether or not she wants a baby.

If you’re a woman in your 20s-30s, I think you’ll find this a very engaging read!

5. A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett

If you want a captivating beach read, you’ll find it in this true story of a woman who was literally held captive.

You won’t be able to put this book down as Amanda recounts her harrowing tale of travelling the world and being held captive for 15 months in Somalia. I literally stayed up all night to finish this one!

6. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

I’m not the biggest fiction reader but something about Rebecca Serle’s fiction really grabs me. She does contemporary romantic fiction so well, without making it cheesy.

This book had the added elements of grief and mystery, which definitely made it a stay-up-until-3-am-to-finish kind of book for me.

7. The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

The Year of the Witching was the first fantasy book I ever read and I really enjoyed it! Who would’ve guessed?

I know fantasy as a genre is known to be very captivating, pulling you into new worlds and magical characters. If you want a little taste of that on your next vacation, check out this excellent book by Alexis Henderson.

8. The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett Graff

Another tear jerker, The Only Plane in the Sky is an oral history of 9/11. This book is extremely powerful, using real words from people all across the United States about their experience on September 11th.

While a tough read, I think it’s so well done and really worth spending time with. You will cry, you will laugh, you will be enraged, you will learn something and you’ll cry again.

9. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I struggled through the first few chapters but once this book became entirely about Evelyn and her fascinating life, I was hooked. I went to bed each night so excited to read the next few chapters.

This book is a fun ride through Hollywood in the 1950’s with a very sweet love story at the centre, plus a surprise ending I won’t ruin for you!

10. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Like Seven Husbands, it also took me a minute to get into this book by Gabrielle Zevin. I didn’t think a book about video games would be for me. But the characters are so compelling that I was completely pulled in and unable to put this down.

This book has been lauded all over the internet, but I’ll continue to add more to the praise pile. It’s a great read – don’t let the video game topic scare you away!

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10 beach reads that might teach you something

Some people use their vacations to work on their tan. Others use it to work on their brains. If you’re in the latter camp, this is the book list for you.

Use the long days of summer to better yourself, learn something new, geek out on a passion, and come back smarter and wiser in the fall.

Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you read a textbook! But these books will definitely give you something to think about.

1. One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter by Scaachi Koul

I loved this funny memoir by Scaachi Koul about growing up with her Indian parents in Canada, “a land of ice and casual racism.”

Scaachi’s writing is so sharp and witty, but also very poignant. I learned a lot about casual racism in my own country and about the Indian traditions Scaachi shared.

2. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed, who you might know best as the author of Wild, once worked as an advice columnist for a local newspaper. This book is a collection of her columns where she gives out some of the most thoughtful and poignant advice.

Even when I couldn’t relate to the advice asker’s question, I always found something valuable in Cheryl’s response. This book is perfect if you want some thoughtful, bite-sized learning this summer!

3. What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon

Aubrey Gordon, also known on the internet as Your Fat Friend, sheds light on the anti-fat systems at play in our world and how we can move toward fat justice, and not simply “body positivity” in this book.

If you are new to concepts like weight stigma or anti-fat violence, I highly recommend you pick up this book and educate yourself. Your fat friends (like me!) will thank you!

4. Preventable by Andy Slavitt

This might be a controversial pick but I found this book really fascinating when I read it in 2021. Healthcare advisor Andy Slavitt shares how both the government response and underlying American values failed during the pandemic.

The book shares a lot of lessons about what we can do in the next crisus. There are also so many devastating stories and decisions that will infuriate you, blow your mind and, hopefully, change your behaviour.

5. Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow

Catch and Kill is the story of the investigative journalism that uncovered how “one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers was a predator, protected by fear, wealth, and a conspiracy of silence.”

Ronan Farrow takes you on his story to uncover the awful truth about Harvey Weinstein and others like him in Hollywood. Even if you read the headlines about Weinstein, this book will take you behind the scenes and completely grip you. I found it really compelling and hard to put down.

6. So You Want to Talk About Race? by Ijeoma Oluo

I think this book by Ijeoma Oluo is a really great anti-racist text for white or non-Black people to pick up. It covers a lot of ground and does a great job at explaining concepts efficiently, providing real life examples from Ijeoma’s life, and listing action steps.

While I read this book in 2020, I don’t think our anti-racist work ended with the pandemic. It’s still absolutely worth reading and learning from now.

7. Shrill by Lindy West

Shrill was the first memoir I read where I really recognized myself in the text. Lindy’s memoir, which was then turned into a Hulu show, is hilarious but also personal and heartbreaking.

Shrill is an approachable way to learn about things like feminism, bullying and navigating the world of comedy in a fat body. Fun fact: Lindy West and Ijeoma Oluo are sisters-in-law!

8. Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

Caste is a comprehensive tome (496 pages!) that dives into the hidden caste system in America, comparing America’s anti-Black racism with caste systems throughout the world and throughout history.

While a big read, this is definitely a book you will learn a lot from! I listened to this one on audio and found it super eye-opening the whole time.

9. Untamed by Glennon Doyle

I picked up Untamed in the early days of the pandemic and found myself nodding along and underlining phrases every few chapters. It’s a powerful read!

In this memoir, Glennon Doyle shares the wisdom she has learned through her divorce, finding love again with a woman, and raising her children. If you want more from Glennon, check out her podcast, “We Can Do Hard Things.”

10. Have You Eaten Yet? by Cheuk Kwan

This book follows filmmaker Cheuk Kwan around the world as he films a documentary about Chinese restaurants run by the Chinese diaspora. As a Chinese Canadian, I was fascinated to learn more about my own culture and see how our food has been developed around the world.

Not only does this book share so much about history, cuisine and culture, but it also introduces you to some incredible people. But be warned, this book will make you hungry!

Wrapping up: My favourite beach reads

With 40+ beach reads to choose from, I hope you have lots of options to fill your suitcase as you head off on vacation.

But if you’re having a hard time narrowing it down, here are my top picks from each category.

• Best travel beach read: From Scratch by Tembi Locke
• Best light read: The Guncle by Steven Rowley
• Best consuming book: A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
• Best book to learn: What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon

I’d love to know: What reading mood do you usually find yourself in on vacation? Did any of my recommended beach reads catch your eye?