The 2019 Summer Beach Reads You Won’t Want to Put Down

Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir

Ruth Reichl

Legendary food writer and restaurant critic Ruth Reichl reveals her fascinating and tumultuous experiences while she was the editor-in-chief at the iconic Gourmet Magazine. In this gripping memoir, she shares the ups and downs of her first time working in the fast-paced magazine publishing industry, and how it affected and shaped her life (and kitchen). Yes, there are recipes! 

The Dragonfly Sea

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

This charming coming-of-age novel chronicles the journey of a young woman’s first love, loss, and adrenaline-filled adventures traveling to the far East. A poignant story, this novel takes the reader from a small tranquil island off the coast of Kenya, across the sea to Asia—on a voyage filled with danger, personal growth, and plenty of suspense. And at 512 pages, you should be set to settle in for a captivating read. 

How Could She?

Lauren Mechling

Exploring the intricacies of female friendships, this touching new novel shines a spotlight on three ambitious women as they balance careers and relationships within the turbulent and often chaotic worlds of art and publishing in New York City. Told with a fresh, unique perspective, this story is sure to resonate with anyone who has managed to maintain (or lose) close friendships over the years. 

Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia

Christina Thompson

Delving into the fascinating past of Pacific Islanders, this non-fiction page turner explores how those first bold settlers arrived, where they originated from, and how they actually survived the dangerous, long voyages from remote islands. Inspired by her husband’s family who descended from Maori ancestors, Thompson’s book features research from renowned experts including archaeologists and geographers. It's sure to make you appreciate how easy your flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu actually was. 

Welcome to Freedom Point

By Marina Mularz

This intriguing book features a variety of fun, touching and quirky tales that all take place within the small town of Freedom Point, Wisconsin. These multifaceted characters range from middle-schoolers dealing with growing pains to adults reflecting on heart-wrenching choices in life. Each episode is diverse and encompasses a haunting, though-provoking narrative that proves nothing is what it seems to be. 

Waves of Healing

Cash Lambert

An inspiring read for all, Waves of Healing features the many benefits of surfing as a therapy for those struggling with autism. It showcases the non-profit organization, Surfers for Autism, a group that creates unique surf events for children diagnosed with this disability. These special events offer kids the opportunity to experience fun and happiness through riding waves. We dare you to read this and not feel inspired. 

City of Girls

Elizabeth Gilbert

The New York Times bestselling author of Eat Pray Love gives us a new, memorable piece of fiction that features a is a wise, 89-year-old narrator looking back at her action-packed life in the 1940s with fondness. Recounting her escapades, she shares tales of big city love and adventure that include getting suspended from college and experiencing a mistake that changed the course of her life. Read it now, see the movie later. 

Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language

By Amanda Montell

This humorous approach to examining linguistics features a blend of history, science, and popular culture to explore the English language from a feminist point of view. Author Amanda Montell, a journalist and feminist linguist, uses wit as well as historical facts to show the reader the origins of particular words and phrases—and just how stereotypes evolved that impact our lives today. Buy a copy for yourself, and several more for friends. 

Under Currents

Nora Roberts

Roberts’ riveting novel captures the essence of small town life, and the unthinkable secrets shared by a select few. When the protagonist Zane returns after many years to the place of his childhood, memories come flooding back and long-forgotten mysteries suddenly begin to reveal themselves, forcing those involved to face their troubled past. One warning: you may not want to get out of the hammock until you're on the last page. 

Daisy Jones and the Six

By Taylor Jenkins Reid

This compelling novel about a fictional rock band that catapulted to stardom in 1970s Los Angeles is set against the backdrop of the legendary and vibrant Sunset Strip and its famous/notorious music and party scene. Focusing on Daisy’s coming-of-age, this enthralling story shines a spotlight on the cutthroat music business, and eventually reveals the mystery behind this beloved band’s infamous breakup. It will be hard to not book a flight to Hollywood after you read this one. 

From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home

Tembi Locke

Travel to rural, romantic Sicily from the perspective of an African-American woman who married an Italian man. The memoir chronicles their intense decades-long love; a devastating battle with disease; and Locke's at-times tough, often poignant, and always delicious-sounding visits to her husband's Sicilian hometown. FYI, this book was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick. 

Dear Mrs. Bird

AJ Pearce

Set in London during World War II, this charming novel celebrates female courage. Readers follow the story of a bold woman who wishes to become a war correspondent. Due to a random misunderstanding, she eventually becomes a “secret advice” columnist. The plot takes an interesting turn, when the protagonist decides to go against the editor’s wishes and write directly to the writers she feels need advice the most. People called it, "...a jaunty, heartbreaking winner." We agree. 

Mrs. Everything

Jennifer Weiner

Jennifer Weiner, the New York Times bestselling author of Who Do You Love and In Her Shoes, returns with her latest novel, Mrs. Everything, which chronicles the lives of two sisters over the course of 65 years. Beginning in 1951 Detroit, this multifaceted and touching story features how their lives diverged during this timeframe, the events that caused them to grow apart—and come together. Critics call this Weiner's best book yet. 

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

Ocean Vuong

This book is actually a fascinating letter written from a son to his single mother, who is illiterate. Focusing on the importance of telling one’s own story, the book features the protagonist, Little Dog, who shares vital information about his Vietnamese family that leads to an unexpected life-changing revelation. Filled with compassion, as well as trauma, this book also explores issues of relationships, race, class, and masculinity.

Lie with Me

Philippe Besson

This chart-topping (named O, The Oprah Magazine’s Best LGBTQ Books That'll Change the Literary Landscape in 2019) French novel focuses on an affair between two teenage boys in the 1980s. This poignant story is told as a flashback from the protagonist’s perspective about his hidden relationship during high school that reveals a longing for days gone by. The heartbreaking story is the first-ever translation by acclaimed actress/writer/French speaker Molly Ringwald.

All that You Leave Behind

Erin Lee Carr

Carr, the daughter of the famed journalist and author David Carr, recounts the heartbreaking time surrounding his death. In her riveting memoir, she writes about the effects of mourning during the time of social media. In an effort to explain and make sense of their tumultuous relationship, she shares many private and revealing emails between her and her late father. Get your tissues ready. 

Look How Happy I’m Making You

Polly Rosenwaike

This collection of candid, heartfelt stories deals with the many ups and downs of motherhood. It features a variety of women at different stages in their lives who are dealing with everything from contemplating becoming a mother, to struggling with infertility, to considering adoption or becoming a single parent. This thought-provoking book focuses on many issues surrounding motherhood, as told from a number of women with a dose of humor and great deal of wisdom. Whether you're a mom or not, this book is worth a read. 

Fleishman is in Trouble

Taffy Brodesser-Akner

This captivating debut novel from Brodesser-Akner (famous for celebrity profiles) explores marriage, family relationships, and New York City living in this gripping account of Toby, a husband trying to piece his life back together after divorce, and simultaneously determine why his wife left him in the first place. Written with humor and wit, it inspires everyone to take a closer look at their own relationships. Tinder users will especially appreciate Toby's take on post-marriage dating. 

Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee

Casey Cep

This enthralling and powerful story recounts the time period when Harper Lee observed the Alabama trial of Reverend Willie Maxwell, who was accused of murdering five family members in the 1970s. Considered a combination true crime-thriller and courtroom drama, the book also carefully covers Lee’s personal and complex issues with her own notoriety and literary success. To Kill a Mockingbird Fans should add this to their wishlist ASAP. 

Trust Exercise

Susan Choi

This fascinating story with a shocking twist focuses on a relationship between two students, David and Sarah, who attend a performing arts high school. As the couple falls in love, and ensuing surprising events occur, the real truth of the situation is not exactly revealed until the final moments of the story. This complex yet thoughtful novel is sure to evoke questions and conversations about friendship, loyalty, and the perception of truth.

Summer of ‘69

By Elin Hilderbrand

In her first historical novel, Hilderbrand brings to life a vibrant New England family full of secrets during the turbulent and politically-charged summer of 1969. Against a backdrop of an era that shaped the country, each of the four Levin siblings are dealing with a different stage in life…one is drafted into the army, the other is pregnant with twins, the third is involved in protests and the youngest, at 13, is forced to remain at home with her grandmother in Nantucket.