Google searches for beach reads and summer books have been increasing since the start of spring. Whether on a towel at the beach or simply a lounge chair in your own backyard, a beautiful summer day is the perfect setting for a beach read. And if you need inspiration, your intuition might be the key to creating your summer reading list.
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Summer can be a busy time of year. But longer days and the chance for a getaway to a beach, favorite campsite or new city offer a bit more time to slow down and unwind. A beach read is the perfect way to enjoy these restful moments. But should your beach read be frothy romance, gritty mystery, thoughtful literature or something else entirely?
Defining beach read: The evolving meaning of a summer staple
A beach read is a book that is simple in tone and subject yet entertaining. A reader can often finish it quickly, ideally in a day or two, while poolside, and can set the book aside for a time without losing the thread of a complicated plot.
These books have often been primarily marketed towards women and fall into the romance genre. Many critics and readers describe them as guilty pleasures or indulgent due to the light-heartedness and happily ever afters that often characterize a good beach read.
While some critique the frivolity of traditional beach reads and opt for more contemplative fiction, escapism may be just what your brain needs on a vacation. The passion of a summer romance, the magic of a fantasy, the thrill of a murder mystery or even the new perspectives of a modern classic can fill the hours of summer. Searches for beach reads this year have risen since March and have continued to increase in May. As you look for your next read, here’s how to choose the right genre.
The history of beach reads
Long before influencers on TikTok and newspapers were putting out recommendation lists for the best beach reads, vacationers were escaping into fiction in the summer months. The 1853 poetry anthology “A Book for the Sea-side” was called the first beach read, although others quickly followed throughout the 1800s and 1900s. Publishers also began terming books summer reading to boost slow seasonal sales.
Almost from the beginning, readers and non-readers debated the benefits of lighter reading. Professor Donna Harrington-Lueker, author of “Books for Idle Hours: Nineteenth-Century Publishing and the Rise of Summer Reading,” shared the story of a reverend condemning trashy summer books in his 1876 sermon. Meanwhile, publishers, critics and readers extolled the benefits of disappearing into the pages of a book as a chance to temporarily escape tedium and stress.
More than 100 years later, the need for a mental break is just as necessary for many modern readers. A real vacation can provide this break, or you can create your own vacation atmosphere with a book, a beachy recipe like crisp fattoush salad and a favorite bottle of wine.
Guilty pleasure or serious literature for summer reading?
With the proliferation of summer reading, there is no shortage of lists to draw inspiration from. Publishers, magazines and individual readers put out summer reading lists featuring everything from passionate beachside romances to thought-provoking studies of human nature. In fact, the only requirement for a summer read is that the book is engaging and you will read it during the summer.
For instance, choose books that will alter your perspective and shake up your worldview. “Tell Me Everything” by Elizabeth Strout combines romance, murder and mystery, while “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead is an unflinching tale of enslaved Americans. It’s also worth adding “These Heathens” by Mia McKenzie, a coming-of-age story during the Civil Rights Movement, and “The Compound” by Aisling Rawle, a twisty reality-show mystery, to your beach reading list.
The reading community on TikTok, called BookTok by its members, abounds with beach read recommendations across genres. Last summer, Katja Vujić, a social media editor, took note of books she spotted on a beach trip. They ranged from romantasy novels, a portmanteau of fantasy and romance, from BookTok favorite author Sarah J. Maas to the more serious “There There” by Tommy Orange, which follows a cast of Native Americans in Oakland, Calif.
Why we reach for books in the summer for health and relaxation
Summer, especially when vacations are involved, can be a season of slowing down. Kids are off school and evenings are longer. Summers can inspire people to pick up thought-provoking novels. Perhaps this is a holdover from school reading lists that required students to read classics over summer, or maybe it’s when people have the time to tackle their to-be-read pile.
But even if you reach for the lightest of guilty pleasure books this year, you will likely see both physical and mental health benefits. People who read daily experience lower stress, better sleep and may even live longer, according to a Yale University study that showed that reading 30 minutes a day reduced mortality as much as 20%. If health is a focus for you this summer, reading will be as beneficial as workouts and a protein-rich cottage cheese smoothie.
About 50% of adults read to escape reality. This can build resilience and validate emotions as readers relate to the characters in books, making it easier to return to reality when the book ends or the vacation is over.
The simplicity of a beach read complements the restfulness of vacation. A light read doesn’t overwhelm a reader. Instead, it enables them to escape routine while staying emotionally engaged. If you’ve been stressed this spring, this relaxation may be exactly what your brain needs this summer.
Let your cravings shape your reading list
From the health benefits to fictional escapes, the perfect beach read is the one that will get you reading. Peruse lists online or head to your local library or favorite bookstore to pick what looks most interesting.
You can even craft a beach read list based on the day or the setting. Some days may call for a fast-paced novel you can finish in a sitting. Others may need lyrical prose or layers of secrets. Stack intriguing titles next to a picnic blanket, chaise lounge or plate of healthy banana cookies, and you’ll have the perfect summer setup for escape.
If you have kids in your life, involving them with summer books for kids will keep them busy between school years. It can also give them their own escape and grow their passion for reading, potentially turning them into future beach readers.
Find the perfect beach read for your next vacation or staycation
Whether you’re packing books for vacation or just carving out a relaxing moment at home, a beach read should provide escape, joy and restoration. Most importantly, the right book is the one you’ll enjoy reading. This summer, head to your library or favorite bookstore, load up your e-reader, prepare your favorite snacks and crack open your next beach read.
Sharon Rhodes is the creative force behind the food blog The Honour System. Passionate about all things homemade, Sharon is a seasoned recipe curator focused on making healthier cooking and baking accessible to all.