Summer is here, the sun is out, and beach season is upon us. With the summer season comes the age-old dilemma of finding the perfect beach read.
When we think of a “beach read,” we jump to cheesy rom-coms or simple thrillers. At the end of the day, we all want something engaging, short, and easy to read while basking in the sun. I by no means am a stranger to the classic rom-com (Emily Henry, anyone?), but there are times when I want to read something a bit more profound and “literary,” even on a relaxing day by the seaside.
So, if you’re ready to mix things up and bring a bit more substance to your beach bag without sacrificing fun or readability, you’re in the right place. Here are seven of my favorite recent beach reads that balance heart, complexity, and accessibility:
Night Swimmers – Roisin Maguire
Set in Ballybrady, a coastal village in Northern Ireland, Night Swimmers follows the story of a man grieving the recent loss of a child and navigating a separation from his wife. After going to a small coastal town for what was meant to be a long weekend getaway, he ends up caught in the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown. He must remain in the town and grapple with his awkward position as an outsider in a very insular community.
The plot is calm, and the beauty and intrigue of the novel come from its languid and poetic prose, as well as the introspective reflections on life, love, and grief interspersed throughout the narrative. The sea features heavily as a symbol, and the tranquil descriptions of water, coastal life, and slowing down amidst the pandemic make the novel an ideal beach read for anyone seeking an easy-to-read yet very lyrical novel for a seaside escape.
Martyr! – Kaveh Akbar
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar is rich with simple yet beautifully profound prose, with complex themes and quiet contemplation. Centered on the story of a first-generation American, the novel explores existentialism, spiritual and religious affiliation, cultural identity, and the search for belonging in the wake of deep personal grief.
While the subject matter might not seem like the most obvious choice for a beach read, the writing is incredibly readable, and the plot is deeply compelling. It immediately draws the reader into the interior world of its protagonist. The plot comes with twists and turns that make it hard to put down, an essential quality in any good beach read.
The novel is accessible, handling contemplative and philosophical themes without being overly dense and alienating the reader. Martyr! offers an immersive and introspective experience that will leave you pondering as you stare off into the waves.
Anxious People – Frederick Backman
Looking for a simple, yet feel-good novel to throw in your beach bag? Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is a heartwarming and comedic choice that analyzes the complexities and interconnectedness of the human experience. The novel is short and sweet, the story is fun and slightly absurd, and the plot involves twists and turns that keep the reader wanting more.
Backman’s writing is light and digestible, making it easy to follow even if you’re half-distracted by the chaos of the beach. Despite the humble simplicity of its prose, the story itself packs quite the emotional punch. Its charming, wholesome take on human relationships and the importance of community will brighten your beach day in all the right ways.
Whether you’re looking to laugh, cry, or just feel a little better about humanity, Anxious People is a delightful, feel-good book that is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on a sunny beach day.
Tender is the Night – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Looking for a hint of luxury to match your vacation moodboard? Set on the dazzling French Riviera in the late 1920s, Tender Is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a dreamy, tragic tale of glamor, love, and unraveling lives. At its center is a young American actress navigating the complexities of fame, mental health, and romantic entanglements — all while immersed in the glittering world of American aristocrats abroad.
Best paired with an Aperol Spritz and a statement pair of sunglasses, this novel is perfect for fans of The Great Gatsby who want something equally stylish but a touch more melancholic. With poetic descriptions of the Mediterranean coast, flirtations among the fabulously wealthy, and an undercurrent of emotional depth, Tender Is the Night is for the beach days when you want an escape with a hint of heartbreak.
To the Lighthouse – Virginia Woolf
To the Lighthouse is one of Virginia Woolf’s most renowned works and a standout example of her modernist style. The novel follows the Ramsay family and their guests during two visits to their summer home on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, one before World War I and one after.
Throughout the novel, Woolf touches on themes of time, art, beauty, relationships, and the meaning of life through her stream-of-consciousness writing, allowing the reader to fall deep into the interior lives of its characters. The slow and seemingly mundane plot is part of its brilliance, bringing the lyricism of Woolf’s prose to the forefront.
This novel is meant for readers who appreciate beautiful writing and philosophical reflection, as well as those who long for a seaside escape off the Scottish coast.
Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi
Looking for a beach read that’s not just entertaining but truly meaningful? Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is a prime choice. Spanning continents and generations, this sweeping debut novel examines the ancestry of two half-sisters from 18th-century Ghana, one sold into slavery, the other married off to a British colonizer, all the way to modern-day America.
The themes are weighty — colonialism, slavery, trauma, identity — but Gyasi’s writing is vivid and emotionally resonant, immediately pulling the readers into its world. Because it follows a split-narrative structure, each chapter reads like its own story, making it ideal for picking up and putting down between dips into the ocean or sunbathing naps.
If you’re in the mood for something that feeds both heart and mind, Homegoing is the right novel for you.
The Awakening – Kate Chopin
If you’re looking for a beach read that reads like a classic novel without being overly dense or long, The Awakening by Kate Chopin is a timeless choice. Set along the Louisiana Gulf Coast at the turn of the 20th century, this short novel tracks the sexual, emotional, and intellectual awakening of Edna Pontellier as she discovers a world beyond the roles expected of her as a wife and mother.
Chopin’s prose is elegant and spare, and the story still feels modern in its approach to freedom, femininity, and identity. While it may not be a breezy rom-com, it’s the kind of read that inspires self-reflection and suits a quiet moment by the sea.
With its coastal setting, sultry summer atmosphere, and themes of self-discovery, desire, and rebellion, The Awakening is an excellent beach read.
Take the time off to explore!
While there is nothing wrong with the classic easy beach read, you should give these reads a try if you’re looking to shake things up. For me, the joy of summer reading is that we have a bit more time to experiment with genres, stories, and themes that we might not always gravitate toward. I hope that the stories resonate and that the authors’ literary genius inspires you to broaden your reading horizons — whether it be for the summer or future.
