Pages As Planes: The Beach

Since I shared my Lake edition of Pages As Planes, I wanted to dive into some true Beach Reads that sweep us away to sandy shores. I know I read and recommend a lot of Romance, so I tried to think outside the box with some of the recommendations. We’ve historical fiction, mysteries, and some YA mixed in too! A number of these i haven’t read yet but based on their descriptions, they sound so good. Let’s head to the beach!

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

This is an older title that has been making the rounds on TikTok for a couple years. There’s a wealthy family, a private island, and “lies upon lies.”

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

I picked up this book after loving the To All the Boys series. It’s so different from that series but it’s a really intoxicating YA series that is EXCELLENT on audio. It’s about a group of family friends and their summers at the beach house they share. Jenny Han captures the big feelings of teenagers so well. But I warn you, there is a love triangle.

Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland

Let’s grab our swimming costumes and head to the beach in the 1930’s! It takes place in Atlantic City and Florence is spending the summer training to swim the English Channel.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

You thought i’d stop gushing about this book? NOPE. It’s the desert of Palm Springs so not quite a beach but it screams summer and it’s so sweet and glamourous and heartfelt.

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin 

A beachy mystery set on a Caribbean island and a college aged girl who goes missing. Her body is found and two employees from the hotel where she’s staying are arrested but the evidence is slim. Years later, her younger sister comes in contact with one of the other suspects in the case.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

A classic summer Romance. Hawaii, enemies to lovers, and excellent banter.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

While this isn’t my favorite of TJR’s books, I did have an excellent time reading it. The first half is SO GOOD and the setting of a Malibu beach house is deliciously atmospheric. It’s about the four children of a famous bad boy musician, Mick Riva.

The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther

I simply adore this book set on Martha’s Vineyard. It has perfect summer love, a huge extended family, and Taylor Swift references. It’s a perfect summer read.

The Falling In Love Montage by Ciara Smith

Saoirse isn’t looking for a relationship but that goes out the window when she meets Ruby. They embark on a summer project to recreate all the classic and cliche moments you find in summer romcom movies, with the promise that it will end with a clean break come Fall…until their feelings blossom.

The Lion’s Den by Katharine St. John

A glamourous and messy summer mystery that takes place on a yacht in the Mediterrean.

Are you an east coast or west coast kind of beach person?