Month: July 2021

5 Beach Reads to Dive Into

Dreaming of sun and sand? Me too!

Hi everyone! I’m sorry for the delay in posting lately, but I have been so busy with preparing for the Pie-Jinks launch! Every day we get closer, and I’m getting more and more excited to share Vanilla Bean Vampire with you.

Just to give you a quick rundown before I get into this week’s book recommendations, here is all the stuff I’ve been setting up for your enjoyment:

Yeah, quite busy. As I said, I’m seriously excited for this launch, so please feel free to join in wherever you are and however you feel comfortable! Even if you can’t purchase the first book, just attending the launch event or sharing it with your friends is greatly appreciated. ♥

And now, the reason you’re here: BEACH READS!

I’m going to be visiting the beach soon, so it feels like the perfect time to share some books I’ve read that feel just perfect for a trip to the beach (and yes, there may be some mermaids in here… I can’t help myself, I love those creatures!).

Here we go!

The Mermaid’s Sister by Carrie Ann Noble (Fantasy)

Okay, so yes there is a mermaid here. But the story centers on her sister, who arrived at their adoptive family’s doorstep from a stork. One day, her sister begins transforming into a mermaid, and they must return her to the sea before she dies.

And so the adventure begins.

This tale is told in such a warm, familiar way of storytelling that it feels like you’re sitting around a campfire. Even better, to me it has the same kind of feel as Stardust… a bit of whimsy and fantasy mixed in with a road trip adventure.

I definitely recommend this fantasy for your next beach trip!

Say It’s the Sea by Kristina Mahr (Poetry)

Okay, first of all this cover!

Now that that’s out of the way, this is something a little different. It’s a book of poetry that I actually did read at the beach (I think last year), and it was honestly so fitting. Many of Mahr’s poems focus on heartbreak, but her imagery and senses in her works are so evocative and emotional.

What better place to absorb words like these then with the sounds of the ocean waves and gulls?

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson (YA Contemporary)

Of course I have to include something with a touch of romance! This book occurs during summer break after the main character’s father, a political figure, is swamped by scandal. She’s home for the summer and decides to start walking dogs… and meets someone incredibly intriguing.

This feels like the perfect summer break book to me; it’s sweet and wholesome and entertaining all in one.

Sourdough by Robin Sloan (Speculative Fiction)

This is one of my all-time favorite books. It’s kind of fluffy, but it’s also very big on the self-discovery scale. This story follows a tech gal who is overwhelmed by the demands of her job and still searching for her place in the world.

And then, she is gifted a magical sourdough starter and everything begins to change.

Seriously, if you’re looking for something a little silly and a lot heartfelt, this is it.

This One Summer by Jillian & Mariko Tamaki (YA Graphic Novel)

This is a Printz award winning graphic novel, and for good reason. Like The Unexpected Everything, this book is a summer break book. But it has a lot of growing up feels and coming of age. It’s a little heartbreaking but also provides a lot of hope and may just make you reminisce about your own childhood.

Bonus: Cold Snap by Selina J. Eckert (Fantasy Novella-fairy tale retelling)

Of course I have to include this one. Cold Snap is one of my favorites… partly because I FINALLY got to write some mermaids and partly because it is one of my own coming-of-age stories. Those kinds of stories always make me think and wish and dream. They evoke so much emotion.

Plus… Snow White is a mermaid? So there’s that.

Final Thoughts

I think I end up making a post like this every year, and you know what? It’s a lot of fun! I love thinking of beach reads, especially when I’m preparing for my own trips. All of the books above were ones that I love and highly recommend.

But there are so many more! And that is why I make this post every summer.

So how about you? What are your favorite beach reads? What do you recommend? Tell me in the comments below!