The beach is a place to relax and turn off your brain.
At least, that's how I like my visits to the beach. Which means, that when I bring a book to the beach, I need it to be a breezy, easy read with not too much to think about. And of course it is a plus, if it's set in summertime or someplace warm. The following list is, to me, the perfect books to bring with you on a beach holiday.
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Natasha loves science. Daniel loves poetry. They were not meant to meet or fall in love. But on a crowded New York street it happens. 12 hours is all they have together, but 12 hours is all it takes for these two to realise that destiny plays a funny game.
This ticks multiple boxes for me - engaging characters, hot summer's day, opposites attract and young love. This is not a book that will take you long to read, thus making it perfect for a day at the beach. You get the sunshine in your body as well is in your brain - perfect beach book!
Read it if you like: New York in the summer, 1 day to fall in love, opposites attract
Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ollie fell in love with Will during summer vacation, but when summer ended Will suddenly stopped texting back. To make things worse, Ollie has to switch schools - and by coincidence his new school is also Will's school. But the sweet, queer boy that Ollie fell in love with is not the same guy at school. Here he is a closeted... jerk, to be honest.
This book will have you bursting at the seams with the need to break into 'Summer Lovin' from Grease - because this is a queer Grease retelling! If Grease doesn't give you serious summer vibes, then I don't know what will.
Read it if you like: LGBTQ, Grease, Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Isobel suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. The people around her don't always understand what that means. For that reason Isobel have rules - and one of them is to not date. Anyone. But one day she meets Sasha, another sick kid. He has a disease that Isobel can't even pronounce and he makes her want to break her most important rule.
At first I was hesitant, going into this book, thinking it was going to be like The Fault in Our Stars - and that really isn't that summe-y to me. Still love it though. But I was pleasantly surprised, because this was fun, humorous and hopeful. All the things summer should be.
Read it if you like: Inappropriate humor, coping with chronic illness, sweet YA romance
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
During the summer of 1983, 17-year old Elio and his family play host to graduate student Oliver in their Italian villa. During the six weeks of summer, the two of them form an uneasy friendship at first, which suddenly blossoms into a deep, romantic attraction. An attraction they both know can't last but still don't want to lose.
If a hot, Italian summer with bare chested men do not scream summer at you I suspect nothing will. However, it isn't just the Italian sun that delivers the hotness in this book. Elio and Oliver have an undeniable attraction that almost singes the pages as you read them. And honestly, that peach scene... 'nough said.
Read it if you like: Forbidden attraction, exploring sexuality, Italy
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ian Mackenzie has always been considered odd - he spent his youth in an asylum and has a strange way of fixating on the things he really wants. Usually that is just Ming vases, but one day his eye is caught by Beth, a wealthy, beautiful widow, who dreams og travel, art and peace.
I'll admit it. Steamy historical romance novel are my number 1 guilty pleasure for vacations. This book, the first in a series, was one of the first HR's I fell in love with. It has sexy Highlanders, mysteries and ripped bodices aplenty. To me, diving into an HR novel is the perfect way to escape for a few hours and forget your surroundings.
Read it if you like: Sexy highlanders, steamy historical romance, Victorian England
The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Karl is sick and his brother, Jonathan, knows that he is not long for this world. So he tells him stories of the magical land, Nangijala, where everyone goes when they die. By a twist of fate, Jonathan dies and goes to Nangijala first, but Karl doesn't take long to follow. In Nangijala they learn that all isn't bliss - a great evil threatens the peace.
Nangijala is a magical place that always feels like summer to me - perhaps because my dad first read me this book while on vacation in Portugal. I will always love this sweet story of love, hope and fighting for what's right.
Read it if you like: Brotherly love, Roald Dahl, evil dragons
Sex with Kings by Eleanor Herman
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Take a trip into the bedrooms of some of the most powerful monarchs of Europe and discover the stories of lust, companionship, power, love and betrayal. Learn about the stories of some of the most famous royal mistresses - what they did and what functions they filled.
If you're more into non-fiction while on the beach, might I suggest this collection of stories about adultery in the royal houses of Europe. It's surprisingly light for a non-fiction book, provides the same sort of escape as the Historical Romance books but still imparts knowledge and understanding on the reader. What's not to like?
Read it if you like: European royal history, bedroom stories, light non-fiction
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mary Lennox returns to England after years in India, where she lost both her parents. Mary is to live with her unknown uncle. When she gets to his home, she finds a sad, gloomy house - but also two companions; her crippled cousin and the brother of one of the servants. And then there's the mysterious walled garden, that promises a welcome escape from the gloom.
What's more summer-y than gardening? This garden is almost magical, restoring the faith of children and adults alike, and the blossoming of not only the garden but the characters as well makes this perfect for the summertime.
Read it if you like: Anne of Green Gables, transformation stories, unlikely childhood friendships