This post may contain affiliate links for books we recommend. Read the full disclosure here.
Back for 2026, here is a list of some more favorite beach reads! Perhaps a little early, but Memorial Day is the traditional kick off to Summer, after all, and that’s just a week away. “Beach read” is a very fast and loose term for books people read over the beautiful summer months when we really should be outside “doing things” but are instead reading…maybe outside. Some people see these months as an opportunity to slog through long classics (we’re looking at you “Moby Dick”) before the busy-ness of the fall starts up, but for the sake of this list, we’re limiting our choices to fast paced, mostly feel good books (though there’s some obvious leeway here for Kate’s horror tastes!) that could be easily brought along on vacations. So, still a very loose definition, but hey, we had to start somewhere! We will select one title for each of the genres we most read.
Serena’s Picks
Fantasy Title: “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me” by Illona Andrews
This was a fairly obvious pick for me, as the one word that always comes to mind when I think about my experience reading this book is “fun.” This is all the more impressive because all told, it’s a fairly hefty novel, with a ton of world-building and a wide cast of characters (though there is only one POV character). That said, the concept itself is such a blast (a portal fantasy where a woman travels into her favorite fantasy novel and finds that she can’t die there) that I feel like I whipped through my read in only a few sittings! Andrews takes several familiar fantasy tropes and leans into them so hard that they almost feel completely fresh and new again by the time you get to the explosive end of this first book. There’s also a lovely romance, and Maggie herself is a fantastic protagonist. Definitely add this one to your vacation pile if you enjoy action-packed fantasy with a strong romance subplot!
Science Fiction Title: “Seek the Traitor’s Son” by Veronica Roth
This one blends genres between science fiction and fantasy, enough so that I felt justified in promoting it again here! It is the start to a series, but on its own, it’s still a fast-paced, action-packed story with a surprising level of depth and commentary on grief, destiny, and free will. There are three main characters, though two of them make up much of the backbone of the story and also are included in the romantic subplot. Honestly, I pretty much loved everything about this book and think that anyone who enjoys fantasy or science fiction should give it a shot. And I don’t want to hear a word about “Divergent” as a reason to not give this one a shot, that was over a decade ago, people! I kid, I kid. But still…
Historical Fiction/Mystery Title: “His Majesty’s Dragon” by Naomi Novik
Yes, yes, the word “dragon” is right there in the title of my “historical fiction” selection. But what can I say, I am who I am, and that’s primarily a fantasy reader. That said, my reading experience is often at its peak when genres are blended, and that’s the case here. Dragons aside, if I was going to point to a comp title for this book, it would be “Master and Commander” way before anything like “Game of Thrones.” That’s because, while the dragons are also characters and the connection between the main character and his dragon is central to the story, the actual role and use of dragons as a concept in this book is essentially imagining these great beasts as warships in the sky. Much of the story is about warfare tactics, the structure of managing these great beasts and their massive crews, and many of the other day-to-day topics one would often find in historical fiction focused on naval warfare. Beyond this, the focus of the plot is very much grounded in its historical setting and the Napoleonic Wars. Novik does an excellent job of recreating the world and history we know so closely that you almost forget that dragons weren’t always in there! She also masters that particular style of writing that reads as “historical” first and foremost. I also strongly recommend the audiobook version of this book and the rest of the series, as I think the narrator does a fantastic job capturing the tone of everything.
Romance Title: “The Second Death of Locke” by V. L. Bovalino
This was such a lovely fantasy romance, and I feel like it somehow went by largely unnoticed last fall, which is such a shame! Not only does it feature a lady knight, but the romance is also a friends-to-lovers story, which is a nice breath of fresh air from the million and one enemies/rivals-to-lovers romances that are currently overwhelming the genre. The love story is a slow burn, but so satisfying in its yearning and building tension. While the love story itself takes a bit to get going, the two characters are so affectionate and devoted right from the start that I was highly invested practically from the first page. There’s also an interesting fantasy world built up here with a complicated history that is very much tied to our heroine. This book is a stand-alone, but there are more books to come featuring other characters in this world. Definitely check this one out if you’re looking for a romance novel that bucks current trends!
Kate’s Picks
Horror Title: “The Mean Ones” by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne
Horror is always a bit of a harder one to tackle for a beach read, as I feel like so much of what people want from beach reads includes something that feels low stakes and not so heavy, and horror can be HEAVY and HIGH STAKES just by nature of the genre. But I picked “The Mean Ones” because of setting (camping be it at a summer camp or in the woods), and because the main character is so easy to root for and it makes the pages turn so fast. This was one of my favorite reads last year, and I found it fun, spooky, and very summer-y with its themes and vibes.
Thriller Title: “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke
This one is getting a lot of chatter surrounding it lately and people have a LOT of opinions, but I found it to be SO damn fun and enjoyable. And it’s such a fast paced thriller with such biting satire that I think a lot of people who like soap and drama will find it to be a fun read too. Trad wife fiction is really having a moment right now, and Natalie’s faux veneer as a trad wife influencer is scathing and dramatic… even before she wakes up potentially in the time period she pretends to love so much! This is the exact kind of page turner that is perfect for vacation and beach reading!
Graphic Novel Title: “The Girl from the Sea” by Lee Knox Ostertag
Not only does this one take place at the ocean itself, it’s also a sweet and touching fantasy romance! Morgan lives on an island and is ready to leave for good, as she feels like an outsider and is hiding a secret about her sexuality from everyone around her. Then she meets Keltie, a girl who comes out of the ocean and is actually a selkie. The girls form a connection and fall in love, which means that Morgan needs to start being honest in ways she isn’t ready for. This book is charming and quick, and the love story is very adorable.
Non-Fiction Title: “Vagabond” by Tim Curry
I love Tim Curry and have loved Tim Curry since “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” changed my life in ninth grade. I had been familiar with his work before that thanks to “Ferngully” and “Muppet Treasure Island”, and “Rocky Horror” was the life changing experience that defined him for me, but the man has such an illustrious career and impact on pop culture he’s a living legend. Because of my love for him I read his memoir “Vagabond” last fall and just adored it. He’s candid and not overly sentimental, but has so much to say about his life as an actor. It’s charming and touching and a little bit catty, and it’s a quick and lovely read perfect for poolside! Especially if Curry is a formative part of your life.
The Library Ladies 