For me, the perfect beach read is a blend of lighthearted and funny with some earnest reflection on life thrown in. I want escapism, but I also want to relate to the characters and feel grounded in the story. An author who never misses the mark is Emily Henry (Her first book is fittingly titled Beach Read.) Henry always manages to craft stories with endearing characters, quaint summer settings and the perfect amount of tension. You know everything will turn out as it should, but the journey there has lots of twists, turns, angst and romance. My favorite book of hers is People We Meet On Vacation, but you really can’t go wrong with any of her feel-good stories. Her newest release from this spring, Great Big Beautiful Life, is as fun and heartfelt as the rest of her work.
Here are a few more of our favorite summer reads:
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
From a Minnesota author, this romance takes place in the Twin Cities with the characters going on dates in places you’ll recognize!
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Searle
Another mother/daughter story set in Positano, Italy. Our main character, Katy, takes a trip she was meant to be on with her mother, who is still there with her in mysterious ways.
One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson
A great non-fiction work of another particularly eventful summer. Al Capone was bootlegging, Charles Lindbergh was flying across the ocean, Babe Ruth was setting home run records, the first talking motion picture was released and much more!
Summer Island by Kristin Hannah
One of Hannah’s earlier works is a story of uncovering past secrets leading to a reconciliation between a mother and daughter.
Summer of ‘69 by Elin Hilderbrand
Hilderbrand weaves together the story of the Levin family in Nantucket with the memorable events that happen throughout this historic summer.
Kia White is part of the team at Lake Country Booksellers. For more beach reads, including recommendations from co-owner Faith Basten, visit whitebearlakemag.com or call the shop at 651.426.0918.
Kia White is part of the team at Lake Country Booksellers. For more beach reads, including recommendations from co-owner Faith Basten, click here, or call the shop at 651.426.0918.
