It’s the most wonderful time of the year- summer reading time! I hope you can find some blissful moments to soak up these longer days with some absorbing reading – whether you savor them at the shore or in good, old “Backyardia.”

I thought it would be fun to kick off the season with some literal “Beach” reads. Even if you can’t get to one in person, these books can transport you to fantastic coasts both real or imagined.

Sunset BeachSunset Beach - Mary Kay Andrews

"With an office romance building, a decades-old missing persons case re-opened, and a cottage in rehab, one thing is for sure at Sunset Beach: there’s a storm on the horizon."

Dean in Long Beach CaliforniaDead in Long Beach, California - Venita Blackburn

"A form-twisting, gut-busting, heart-crushing debut novel following one woman's fraying connection to reality."

The Endless BeachThe Endless Beach - Jenny Colgan

"An enchanting, unforgettable novel of a woman who makes a fresh start on the beautiful Scottish Island of Mure—only to discover life has more surprises in store for her."

The Pope of Palm BeachThe Pope of Palm Beach - Tim Dorsey

"A diabolically madcap adventure featuring the indomitable Serge A. Storms. A witty and deliciously violent delight from the twisted imagination of Tim Dorsey."

Manhattan BeachManhattan Beach - Jennifer Egan

" A deft, dazzling, propulsive exploration of a transformative moment in the lives and identities of women and men, of America and the world."

Same Beach, Next YearSame Beach, Next Year - Dorothea Benton Frank

"A bewitching story of marriage, love, family, and friendship, and a dazzling celebration of the infrangible power of friendship, the enduring promise of summer, and the indelible bonds of love."

Death by Beach ReadDeath by Beach Read - Eva Gates

"Librarian Lucy’s new historic house comes with a lot of baggage and family secrets. Can she put them to rest, or will a killer bring Lucy’s family to their downfall?"

The Beach HouseThe Beach House - Jane Green

"When Nan discovers that the money she thought would last forever is dwindling, she realizes she must make drastic changes to save her beloved Nantucket house."

The Last Summer at Chelsea BeachThe Last Summer at Chelsea Beach - Pam Jenoff

"Young Adelia Montforte flees fascist Italy for America, where she is whisked away to the shore by her well-meaning aunt and uncle."

A Walk Along the BeachA Walk Along the Beach - Debbie Macomber

"Two sisters must learn from each other’s strengths and trust in the redeeming power of love and discover that even in the darkest moments, family is everything."

Beach VibesBeach Vibes - Susan Mallery

"Love and loyalty collide with secrets and betrayal in this witty and emotional tale about the lengths we’ll go to for family,:

Cottage at the BeachCottage at the Beach - Lee Tobin McClain

"Escape to the Chesapeake Bay, where beach life is full of love, surprises and second chances…"

On Chesil BeachOn Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan

"A novel of remarkable depth and poignancy—a story of lives transformed by a gesture not made or a word not spoken."

Beach House ReunionBeach House Reunion - Mary Alice Monroe

"Three generations of the Rutledge family gather together to find the strength, love, and commitment to break destructive family patterns and to forge new bonds that will endure long beyond one summer reunion."

Whiskey BeachWhiskey Beach - Nora Roberts

"Weaves together passion and obsession, humor and heart, in a novel of two people opening themselves up to the truth—and to each other."

Sunshine BeachSunshine Beach - Wendy Wax

"After losing their life savings in a Ponzi scheme, Maddie, Avery, and Nikki have banded together to make the most of what they have left when they uncover a decades-old unsolved murder."

The Beach TreesThe Beach Trees - Karen White

"A friendship that begins a long and painful process of healing for Julie, leading her to a house on the Gulf Coast, ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, and to stories of family that take her deep into the past."

The Beach at SummerlyThe Beach at Summerly - Beatriz Williams

"After the sacrifice of war, a glamorous new figure moves into the guest cottage at Summerly, the idyllic seaside estate of the wealthy Peabody family."

Summaries sourced from publisher materials.

June's Featured Review

Cardiff By the SeaCardiff by the Sea - Joyce Carol Oates

Hop on the Holds List

Woman in Suite 11 – Ruth Ware

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping – Sangu Mandanna

The Unraveling of Julia – Lisa Scottoline

Kiss Her Goodbye – Lisa Gardner

Katabasis – R.F. Kuang

Quote of the Month:

"At the beach - time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted" T.S. Eliot

Bookish News and Links:

Want personalized recommendations? Fill out a questionnaire to get a customized list sent directly to your email

Love Lists? Try these:

Kirkus Reviews recently posted their list of the 21 Hottest Books of Summer 2025.

Harper's Bazaar has also selected 21 Best Beach Reads of 2025.

Lit Hub has this list that also includes past years: 50 of the Greatest Summer Novels of All Time.

Of course, purists may want to check out this summer reading list from the NY Times.

Adaptation News: Upcoming movies and shows based on books:

Life of Chuck, based on the short story in Stephen King's If It Bleeds anthology, will be released in theaters on June 6.

An adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Twits is due to be released by Netflix on June 13.

Recent Reads

I have recently finished reading The Safari by Jacqueline Golidis and When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy. I also just finished listening to Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter.

I am currently reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown and King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby . I am also listening to the audiobook of 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill.

Do you have some reading plans for the summer? Do you prefer to dive deeply into weighty topics or wade lightly into escapist ones? Tell me more at : jnmegan@gpl.

Until next time: Be safe, be well, and be well-read!

Joelle


So, who am I, anyway? I am a resident of West Groton, with a husband, 3 children in college (and one at GDRHS) and a Samoyed that keeps my vacuum well-employed. I am currently working part time at the Groton Public Library and writing monthly reviews for Bookllist Magazine. In a former life, I was a Director of PR/Marketing at a high-tech consulting firm. My BA is in Psychology, but most of my time was spent in college earning a Concentration on the Novel. That is all to say that I make no claims at being an expert of any kind and my thoughts, opinions and mistakes are solely my own. I am just a person whose passion for books has continued to grow from the moment I was first able to grip and gnaw on them. I have been devouring them ever since.

Jun 01, 2025 / Joelle M Egan