7 Books to Read by the Beach (Or the Pool If You Don’t Like Sand)

1. 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest

If you grew up reading Thought Catalog like me, you’ll love this book. It features their former editorial director Brianna Wiest’s never-before-seen pieces as well as some of her most popular essays. The book dives into all things self-awareness, emotional intelligence, relationships, and personal growth. It’s the perfect read for all you deep thinkers, and those seeking meaningful introspection.

2. Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

I loved this book. It’s the story of two (very different) girlfriends fixing their friendship. Daphne’s a plus size influencer from a working class family, juggling nannying and her Instagram to make ends meet. And her former bestie Drue is one of those people who’s just had everything come easy to her: she’s rich, pretty, and newly engaged. The two reunite for the wedding, and just when you think you’re getting a cute girlfriends redemption friendship story, a surprise mystery unfolds….

3. Cover Story by Susan Rigetti

I’m sure this book’s gonna be this year’s prime beach read. Lora Ricci is a college student, struggling to make ends meet, attending NYU and interning for ELLE Magazine. But when she meets glamorous heiress Cat Wolff, the two form a highly unlikely friendship, and Lora drops out of NYU to move in with Cat at The Plaza Hotel, and work as her ghostwriter. If you’re ready for a fresh read full of sharp observations and hidden secrets, Cover Story is the escapade for you!

4. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

I’m usually not a big romance reader (though I do watch lots of rom-coms!), but I couldn’t get enough of this book and its deeply likable and relatable characters. Poppy and Alex are two best friends who take an annual vacation together. That is, until a disastrous trip two years ago ended their friendship. But now, Poppy convinces Alex to join her for one last getaway to Palm Springs. Will their final trip heal old wounds and reignite their bond? You’ll have to read it to find out!

5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This is another one of my all-time favourites. It’s glamorous and glitzy, with plenty of heartache (and happiness too!) in between. It tells the story of a fictional Old Hollywood star, Evelyn Hugo, as she recounts her seven tumultuous marriages and reveals the secrets behind her rise to fame. If you still haven’t read this gem from 2018 yet, I’m telling you: it’s an absolute must-read! I found it unputdownable!

6. When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger

The Devil Wears Prada is one of my favourite movies. So when I stumbled upon this book, I just had to read it. This witty and entertaining novel follows Emily Charlton, the former assistant to the iconic Miranda Priestly, as she navigates the world of image consulting, and helps a disgraced supermodel reclaim her life. I love its mix of humour, revenge, and the high-stakes world of suburban scandals!

7. Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

Okay, so this is not your typical summer read. But the minute I started this book, I could not put it down. June Hayward is a struggling Caucasian writer who grabs a chance to publish a manuscript under the name of a deceased Asian-American author. As June becomes more and more successful, she struggles with guilt, identity, and deception. It’s a book filled with themes of cultural appropriation, identity, and the dark side of the publishing industry, making it impossible to stop reading.