Hot Reads in the Summertime: Top Ten Beach reads

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. This week we’re counting down our Top Ten Beach Reads. I’d probably waterproof my kindle and bring that to the beach for the most reading options, but it’s fun to narrow it down to ten choices. Some of these are recent favorites and some I hope to read under the sun this summer.

Hit the beach with these books:

1. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen  Sarah Dessen books and the beach go together like a lock and key (another Dessen book!) All the books take place in the beach town Colby and it’s fun to spot the characters from previous books.

2. Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland – This debut novel is about family, love and friendship and is more of a heavier summer read, but it also has a picturesque setting.

3. The Distance Between Us by Kasie West This one is on my summer wish list, just a few more weeks to go. “Pretty in Pink meets Pride and Prejudice” is how I saw it described on the author’s blog

4. Faking It by Cora Carmack – This series is so witty, engaging, and romantic. I think I liked the sequel/companion book Faking It better than the first book Losing It, though both would make excellent beach reading material.

5. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams – Shake it up with a little historical adult fiction. This book is set in 1931 and 1938 in Seaview, Rhode Island and is about friendships, secrets and love. I’m doing the audio of this one, which I guess might give you a sunburn if you fall asleep while listening in the sand.

6. Reconstructing Amelia  by Kimberly McCreight – This summer’s Gone Girl? If it is I need to set aside the time to read it straight through, since I couldn’t put down Gone Girl. It sounds very twisty turny and mysterious to me.

7. Down London Road by Samantha Young –  Like Faking It above, I think I liked this sequel even better than the original (On Dublin Street), but both are fantastic. Well-written romances, great setting and characters, good book boyfriends, and fast reads.

8.The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp – The Spectacular Now movie is coming out in August, and I hope to sneak in the book first. Gosh, there’s so many book adaptations coming out- I hope this one is as good as it looks!

9. Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols If you’re going through Nashville withdrawal like I am, maybe this country music- themed romance will distract you. Like Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols books go with the beach like the moon and the stars.

10. Tidal by Emily Snow – I read this one back when it was first self-published but now it has a shiny new Touchstone paperback release. This New Adult romance is set in Hawaii and Los Angeles and features a romance between a troubled Hollywood actress and her Australian surfing instructor. If that doesn’t scream beach read I don’t know what does.

What books will you be bringing to the beach?

Ornament

30 thoughts on “Hot Reads in the Summertime: Top Ten Beach reads

  1. Rika Ashton says:

    Thanks for the reading recommendations. I’ve seen “Faking it” on quite a few lists now, so I’ll probably give it a try – the author’s a new one for me though.

    1. Lucy says:

      Hope you like Cora Carmack’s books if you decide to give them a try. Losing It has some funny scenes that reminded me of Bridget Jones Diary.

  2. Monica R says:

    A Hundred Summers is AWESOME! I loved it. Great picks.

    1. Lucy says:

      YAY, glad to hear it! I think it will be my next audio.

  3. I’ve been wanting to read nantucket blue

    My Top Ten

  4. ChrissiReads says:

    Great list. I haven’t read any Cora Carmack yet, perhaps I should!

  5. Rebecca says:

    I’m really looking forward to The Distance Between Us after reading and loving Pivot Point! Nice list.

    1. Lucy says:

      Me too- can’t wait! Oh, and I still need to read Pivot Point. Glad to hear you loved it.

  6. Rory says:

    I really like A Hundred Summers (it’s on my list too) and I’m now intrigued by The Distance Between Us (love Pretty in Pink, love Pride and Prejudice).

  7. Great list!!!! Do like I did and get a waterproof case to take to beach!

    1. Lucy says:

      I need to look for one! I’m always scared to read my kindle by the pool.

  8. Book Blather says:

    Totally agree with Jennifer Echols. I think The Moon and More will be my first ever Sarah Dessen book as I quite fancy it for a beach read!

    1. Lucy says:

      Hope you enjoy The Moon and More. I like that Dessen’s books have that summer breezy setting but take on important life issues like family and relationships.

  9. I’m looking forward to The Distance Between Us as well. It sounds like my kind of read. I hope to get a Sarah Dessen book in this summer too. They are the perfect beach/summer read.

  10. Liked Faking It a tad more than Losing It too 😉

  11. C says:

    I’ll be curious to see what you think of Reconstructing Amelia. I got a very early ARC and since it’s getting so many glowing reviews, I think they may have changed the ending…

    1. Lucy says:

      I’ll have to check back with you after I read it to confirm if the ending changed! Now I’m really curious…

  12. sashandem says:

    Sarah Dessen is queen of the beach read!

  13. I’m excited for The Distance Between Us — love the title and the cover! Great list. I love that you included a thriller.

    1. Lucy says:

      Thanks Molly! Beach reads are so subjective but I think thrillers fit the bill. And yes, can’t wait for The Distance Between Us 🙂

  14. Great list! i have A Hundred Summers on my list also-
    http://turnthepagereviews.com

  15. Krista says:

    I just read Faking It and Down London Road last week. LOVE. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Perfect beach reads!

    TTT at Krista’s Dust Jacket

    1. Lucy says:

      Glad to hear it! Aren’t they SO GOOD?

  16. WHAT A GREAT LIST. I LOVE IT ALL. I now want to go to the beach.

    1. Lucy says:

      Me too- let’s go! I love your sweet summertime reads feature too- it’s making me add more summer titles to my TBR. So many great beach reads out there!

  17. Kristan W says:

    Only a few of the Dessen books actually take place in Colby, the rest are in towns on the mainland.

    1. Lucy says:

      Thanks for clarifying 🙂 I guess I’ve only read the few that are set in Colby! Can’t wait to catch up on the Dessen titles I’ve missed.

      1. Kristan W says:

        No problem 🙂 If you haven’t read The Truth About Forever yet, I recommend it. It was my first and is my favorite Dessen.

  18. BermudaOnion says:

    I just finished Reconstructing Amelia and found it awfully compelling but don’t think I’d compare it to Gone Girl.

  19. Maggie says:

    Great list! I had Nantucket Blue and Tidal on mine, too. And I could have added a bunch more that you picked. I really need to read Losing It so I can read Faking It 🙂

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