What makes a great beach read? There’s really no perfect definition or genre that can encompass all of these wonderful and varied books. But generally speaking, we tend to think of beach reads as the kind of books you can pack in a bag and take with you to read while you’re lounging by the pool, on the beach, or in the park soaking up the sun while you relax. They might be light romances, engaging adventures, or heartwarming tales of family and history, but they’re probably not going to be heavy or demanding—they’re, above all, relaxing reads.
From literary icons to brand new books from the past few years, there’s no shortage of great options for your beach reading! Check out a few of our favorites that will pair perfectly with your summer plans.
— Additional reporting by Emily Weaver and Sabienna Bowman
