Some use 'beach read' to mean something light and slightly formulaic but to me the term just means a book I'd be happy to take on holiday with me, knowing I can get lost in it for a good couple of hours while sunbathing. Sometimes you do want something upbeat and sunny to match the weather but some of my memorable beach reads have been meatier novels that didn't match my surroundings at all but were perfect nonetheless (I still remember sobbing on a beach in Normandy as I finished the last few pages of The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell).
Whatever you're in the mood for this summer - fun and frivolous or more thought-provoking, classic or contemoporary - here are 50 books I highly recommend.
Family dramas
1 Real Americans by Rachel Khong
This multigenerational drama moves between a woman fleeing China’s Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and her daughter Lily’s story in early 2000s New York. Then, 20 years on, Lily’s son searches for his father…
2 Favourite Daughter by Morgan Dick
In order to claim her inheritance, her father’s will states that Mickey must attend therapy, while Arlo, her therapist (and unknown half-sister), is devastated that her father left his money to a daughter she didn’t know he had.
3 Island Calling by Francesca Segal
On the tiny South Atlantic island of Tuga, London vet Charlotte is juggling a caseload of ailing animals with a new love interest when her mother arrives with a plan to bring her back home. A perfect sequel to Welcome To Glorious Tuga.
4 The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce
Having lost their mum when they were young, Goose and his three sisters have been raised by their dad, Vic, a world-famous artist and narcissist. When he announces he’s planning to marry a woman nearly 50 years his junior, his children are baffled. Then he drowns in mysterious circumstances…
5 Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
Fiftysomething Julia’s contented life is turned upside down by the reappearance of an old friend who nearly precipitated her downfall years before. An insightful, moving look at what it means to juggle motherhood and marriage while maintaining your sense of self.
6 Ordinary Time by Cathy Rentzenbrink
This thoughtful novel about a reluctant vicar’s wife is deeply touching. Ann has moved to Cornwall for her husband’s work but is struggling with the fact he prioritises his faith and flock over her and their son. Ann is so well written, it feels as if you know her.
7 Girls by Kirsty Capes
Sisters Mattie and Nora are estranged, after a turbulent childhood with their artist mother. When a new exhibition of her work is planned, the two women come together to try to stop a biographer who’s getting too close to the truth. There are lots of big emotions in this heartfelt read, but humour, too.
8 No Small Thing by Orlaine McDonald
From the powerful opening scene full of tragedy, this debut about mothers and daughters really gets under your skin. It follows three generations of women who have lost their way and are counting on each other to get back on track.
9 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Seventysomething Sybil prefers to communicate by letter. When old letters begin to resurface, Sybil is forced to confront a tragedy from her past. A novel full of joy, love, loss, heartbreak… and everything in between.
Stunning storytelling
10 James by Percival Everett
This retelling of The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, this time from Jim’s point of view, is a masterpiece in storytelling. In 1860s Mississippi, enslaved Jim is on the run after hearing he’s about to be sold to a new owner, while Huckleberry Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father. Together the two embark on a life-changing journey.
11 And So I Roar by Abi Daré
This evocative sequel to the bestselling The Girl With The Louding Voice finds 14-year-old Adunni excited to start school in Lagos – until a knock on the door summons her back to her village to be punished. Woven through Adunni’s inspiring story is that of Tia, her rescuer, who has family demons of her own to deal with.
12 Days Of Light by Megan Hunter
With echoes of The Cazalet Chronicles (there’s no greater compliment), this decade-spanning novel about a woman torn between obligation and following her heart is quietly stunning.
13 The Unwilding by Marina Kemp
A bohemian holiday home in Sicily is the enticing setting of this sublime debut. When young writer Zoe is invited on holiday with famed novelist Don Travers, she finds a man who happily plays host while women circle in his orbit. Years later, his daughter strikes up an unusual friendship with Zoe and forces her to face uncomfortable truths.
14 Vianne by Joanne Harris
This long-awaited prequel to the million-selling Chocolat begins six years before, as Vianne buries her mother in New York and escapes to Marseille in France, where she begins to learn about the power of food. Just as delicious and magical as the original.
15 Birding by Rose Ruane
Former teen pop star Lydia and Joyce, who still lives at home under her mother’s watchful eye, couldn’t be more different – but when their lives collide, it’s cataclysmic. Set in a slightly seedy seaside town, this is a beautifully observed, nuanced novel.
16 The Women by Kristin Hannah
The author of The Nightingale returns with an emotional read about the unacknowledged role of women in the US army during the Vietnam War. Young nurse Frankie follows her brother to war and is posted to a field hospital, where the heat is exhausting and heartbreak happens daily.
17 Sleep by Honor Jones
A newly divorced mother returms to her childhood home with her two daughters and slips back into memories of a summer past from her girlhood when everything changed for her. A melancholic, moving read that explores how we carry trauma within us, written in beautiful, sun-saturated prose.
18 The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine
Set in Belfast, this thought-provoking story is told in a chorus of voices: Frankie, Miriam and Bronagh are three mothers who close ranks when their 18-year-old sons are accused sexually assaulting a girl at a party. The writing style is fresh and original, bringing in lots of different points of view, and builds into a powerful exploration of class, money and motherhood.
Gripping page-turners
19 The Sunshine Man by Emma Stonex
This literary thriller, from the author of The Lamplighters, has one of the best opening lines I’ve read in ages: ‘The week I shot a man clean through the head began like any other.’ It’s the story of a woman seeking revenge on the man who killed her sister, but also a compassionate look at how a traumatic childhood shapes a person.
20 Three Mothers by Hannah Beckerman
The always excellent Beckerman delivers another compelling psychological thriller with a killer twist. When Abby’s daughter Isla is killed in a hit-and-run, she uncovers secrets about her that make her question those closest to her, including her best friend, Nicole, whose son was infatuated with Isla.
21 The Kellerby Code by Johnny Sweet
His posh Cambridge University friends call working-class Edward ‘Jeeves’ because he’ll do anything to be part of the gang. But when he’s betrayed, his anger threatens everything in the life he’s built. One to read if you like your thrillers dark and funny.
22 Believe by SM Govett
This fast-paced police procedural had me hooked from the start. Ten years ago, Natalie was assaulted by her boss, and when he walked free, she fell apart. Now her husband is accused of the same crime, and a body has turned up in the woods near their home…
23 The Grapevine by Kate Kemp
The residents of a cul-de-sac in 1970s suburban Australia are shocked when the severed foot of a local resident is discovered. Determined to find out what happened, 12-year-old Tammy launches her own investigation in this thought-provoking and captivating read. It’s a reminder that we can never truly know what happens behind neighbours’ front doors.
24 The Liars by Katherine Fleet
This propulsive thriller flashes backwards and forwards between the present day and 25 years before, when Zoe was a teenager and she and her stepsister were involved in the disappearance of a friend that left them estranged from each other. The sultry, sun-soaked setting of Eos in the Greek Cyclades really adds to the atmosphere.
Friendships and fallouts
25 The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Feeling low in the aftermath of her divorce, Phoebe checks into a hotel with the aim of ending her life. But, unbeknown to her, a wedding party has taken over the hotel and an encounter with the bride changes everything for both women. A novel that’s by turns sad, wise and mordantly funny.
26 The Book Game by Frances Wise
Eight people gather at their old friends Lawrence and Claudia's expansive countryside home for a writing retreat. As the wine flows, old rivalries return and tensions rise. By the end of the week, there will be revelations that change everything.
27 Things Don't Break On Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins
In south-east London, eight people – family, friends, lovers, strangers – sit down for a dinner party that will dramatically change their lives. This debut balances beautiful writing with being a brilliant page-turner.
28 Cat Fight by Kit Conway
Rumours of a big cat spotted prowling around the exclusive Briar Heart estate in the Surrey Hills divides friends in this sharp, clever drama. Fans of Liane Moriarty will love this.
29 By Your Side by Ruth Jones
The Gavin And Stacey writer and actor returns with another heartwarming story about a woman whose job involves tracking down the living relatives of those who’ve died alone. Linda’s last case is Levi Norman, who lived on the Isle of Storrich in the Hebrides, where she makes unexpected new friends.
30 Isabella's Not Dead by Beth Morrey
After a reunion weekend with old school friends, Gwen decides to try to track down the best friend who ghosted her 15 years earlier in this moving novel with a feelgood ending. A funny snapshot of life in your 50s.
31 Glass Houses by Francesca Reece
Forester Gethin Thomas acts as caretaker for Ty Gwydr, a stunning lakeside house that has stood empty for so long he considers it his own. When the owners decide to sell up – which coincides with the return of the girl who broke his heart – the upheaval throws him off course. A beautiful novel about class, first love and how places can define us.
Love stories to lose yourself in
32 Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Henry is known for her swoonsome romances set in beautiful locations. Set this time on a small island off the coast of Georgia, a reclusive heiress invites two authors – Alice and Hayden – to compete to write her biography. But will their hatred of each other stand in the way of getting the job done?
33 True Love by Paddy Crewe
When Keely and Finn meet, they’re drawn together by the losses they’ve experienced in their young lives. This slow-burn love story is gorgeously written, with two characters you won’t forget easily.
34 Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley
Set against the backdrop of an eventful decade in British politics, which included Brexit, Boris and more, this smart, joyful romcom offers an intimate look at the intricacies of a relationship, with characters so real they live beyond the pages.
35 Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Daisy Jones And The Six author returns with something a bit different: an illicit love affair between two NASA astronauts, set against the backdrop of the space shuttle programme. A thought-provoking read with a strong female main character you'll really root for.
36 Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly by Joanna Glen
The author of word-of-mouth hit All My Mothers returns with a magical, moving story about two misfits who might find happiness together, if they can learn to trust each other. Addie has lived most of her life on the tiny island of Rokesby, but she wants more; Sol is grieving his mother’s death and a terrible betrayal by his father.
37 You Are Here by David Nicholls
I loved this gorgeous romance about two life-weary 40-somethings who find friendship - and possibly more - during a coast-to-coast hike. Charming, warm and very funny.
38 The Ministry Of Time by Kaliane Bradley
This time-travelling love story is the perfect mix of witty, sexy and moving. In the near future, a Victorian explorer expatriated from the past is assigned to a young female civil servant to help him assimilate. When their relationship develops into romance, they’re forced to face the sinister reality of the project.
39 Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
A one-night stand ends in disaster for Lexi when the houseboat her romantic entanglement takes place on washes out to sea and she and her date are trapped on board. Such an original, fresh take on the romcom.
Modern masters
40 Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
When Jane moves to a small town in Michigan and falls for charming Duncan, she soon realises that he has a bit of a playboy past and has dated most of the women in town. She’s only planning on a fling, but then an accident changes everything. This wonderful book is warm and funny, and Heiny excels at bringing every character she writes to messy, glorious life.
41 Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers
Since discovering Clare through her 2020 hit Small Pleasures, I’ve read her entire back catalogue. She writes such wonderful characters, and the two at the centre of her new novel are no exception: Helen, an art therapist working in a 1960s psychiatric hospital, and her patient William, with whom she becomes fascinated.
42 The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
An exquisite novel about siblings, step-families and the meaning of home, by one of my favourite authors. Brother and sister Danny and Maeve grow up in a large mansion, known as the Dutch House, with their father after their mother runs away to India when they’re young. When their dad remarries, life changes dramatically. The two siblings are so well drawn they leap off the page and their bond as they struggle with their new circumstances is deeply moving.
43 Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Strout writes wonderfully about the pettiness, rages and irritations of normal women, and retired schoolteacher Olive Kitteridge is her most wonderful creation. These interwoven stories each take place in a small town in Maine and are all from different viewpoints, showing Olive’s many sides as she interacts with family, neighbours and friends, experiencing ageing, loneliness, grief and love.
Summer classics
44 In A Summer Season by Elizabeth Taylor
This is the sensual story of rich widow Kate, who has married a much younger man who everyone thinks is with her for her money but who she loves wholeheartedly. Into the mix comes an old friend of Kate’s, and his teenage daughter, to stir things up.
45 The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
A beautiful book about the relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, holidaying on the family island in the Finnish archipelago. Like the Moomins books by the same author, the writing is whimsical and poignant.
46 Bonjour Tristess by Françoise Sagan
A father and daughter spend a summer in a villa on the French Riviera, where both have love affairs. This atmospheric read perfectly captures the complex feelings of moving from childhood to adulthood.
Moving memoirs
47 Bookish by Lucy Mangan
Book lovers rejoice – this wonderful memoir-in-books will not only make you feel seen, but will also undoubtedly have you adding some of Mangan’s favourite titles to your reading pile.
48 Maybe I'm Amazed by John Harris
Told through 10 of Harris’s son James’s favourite songs – which include everything from The Beatles to Kraftwerk – this heartfelt memoir about how music helped James with his autism is a delight.
Maybe I'm Amazed: A Story of Love and Connection in Ten Songs by John Harris
49 Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik
This juicy literary biography looks at the lives of two of the great women of American journalism, Joan Didion and Eve Babitz, using extensive letters found in Babitz's house after her death in 2021, and follows how the once-close friends became estranged.
50 Saltwater Mansions by David Whitehouse
When Whitehouse stumbles across the story of a woman who’s disappeared from a mansion block in Margate, it captures his attention and he begins to investigate. Mixing memoir and reportage, this memoir reads like a thriller.
Saltwater Mansions: The Woman Who Disappeared and Other Untold Stories by David Whitehouse
