As summer approaches and the beach starts calling your name, don’t forget the most essential item in your beach bag: The summer book. The book for all things sunny that will have you hooked the whole way through. Whether you’re into romance, memoirs, or  thrillers, here are the perfect beach reads for you. 

The Glass Castle: A memoir that reads like a novel, with the way the plot twists and turns. It’s chaotic, it’s raw, it’s eccentric, and it’s honest. It follows Jeanette as she grows up in a dysfunctional house and navigates how to survive by herself. It’s short but compelling, and I promise, a Shirley Temple and a club sandwich in, you’re hooked. 

Just For The Summer: A slow-burning romance that keeps a smile on your face, but also touches on serious topics. Emma and Justin find themselves bonding over a similar dating experience, and they make a pact to “end the curse”. You can’t help but fall in love.

Unscripted, Joss Byrd: This takes place on a movie set on a beach, and while it is a YA fiction, it’s not light-hearted. Joss is a child actress who is in a movie about her director’s life, but off camera, she realizes that her co-stars are acting because they want to, not because they need to. As she begins to learn more about herself and how to speak up, you’ll root for her every step of the way. 

Imposter: For those who get a little hot at the beach, this bone-chilling thriller is perfect for you. There is a killer on the loose, with a forensic psychologist on the case. You receive all leads alongside him, but the who and why of these killings are still unclear. This book had me confused at the start, heart racing in the middle, and jaw dropped in the end, all while working on a tan.

While these are my favorite beach books, any book can be a beach book. The sun, water, sunscreen, and a good book are how I’m spending my beach days, and I recommend you do too.•