We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Culture and Lifestyle Activities and Entertainment Books 50 New Beach Reads Perfect For Summer 2024 These books deserve a spot in your beach bag. By Kait Hanson Kait Hanson Kait Hanson is a lifestyle reporter with more than ten years of experience writing stories on entertainment, travel, food and more. Her work has been featured by Vanity Fair, CNN, TIME, TODAY and more. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on May 10, 2024 Getty Images / globalmoments Nothing is quite as relaxing as getting lost in a good book while sitting on the beach. With no shortage of books to choose from and endless reviews of "must read" books on Goodreads, it might feel overwhelming trying to figure where to start. A good bet for this year's book du jour is a new release, so we've done the hard part and rounded up the best new beach reads for summer 2024. Whether you're interested in a page-turning thriller or a windswept romance, here are our top 50 beach reads for the year: The 12 Beach Chairs We Love The Most The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin Amazon View On Amazon $7 A group of friends marred by tragedy reunite a decade later to discover what it means to heal and forgive. Swan Song by Elin Hildebrand Amazon View On Amazon $15 There’s something off about the new couple in town, and an aging police chief must rally to save the town he loves. This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune Amazon View On Amazon $23 A thrilling summer journey that explores friendship, family, and the fallout of forbidden romance. Summers At The Saint by Mary Kay Andrews Amazon View On Amazon $15 A mix of scandal and humor follows one woman’s quest to bring a historic hotel back to glory. Never Leave The Dogs Behind by Brianna Madia Amazon View On Amazon $22 A powerful reflection on being able to find the courage to start over when the dream life you thought you were living disappears. While We Were Burning by Sara Koffi Amazon View On Amazon $19 One woman’s journey to uncover her best friend’s death gets intertwined with a mother’s determination to find out who killed her son. Funny Story by Emily Henry Amazon View On Amazon $21 Two opposites join forces with one thing in common: They were ditched by their respective partners for each other. Dear Mom and Dad by Patti Davis Amazon View On Amazon $15 Written by the daughter of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, this memoir offers a glimpse into the realities of famous parents. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston Amazon View On Amazon $18 Southern girl Evie Porter has everything a girl could want: the perfect life, the perfect job, the perfect boyfriend, and home. The only problem is Evie Porter isn’t real. Mind Shift by Erwin Raphael McManus Amazon View On Amazon $18 Find your path to personal fulfillment by gaining mental clarity. The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren Amazon View On Amazon $13 A grocery store heir fakes a relationship with his free-spirited ex in a bid to take home a big inheritance… but at what cost? The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins Amazon View On Amazon $13 The suspenseful ride of an heiress marred by tragedy and how money can destroy familial ties. Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle Amazon View On Amazon $27 One woman’s belief that every relationship has an expiration date is shattered when she meets a man without one. Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan Amazon View On Amazon $13 A romantic and thrilling adventure of a newly divorced single mom and a sizzling summer fling. Beach Cute by Beth Reekles Amazon View On Amazon $9 The travel adventures of three women heading to the same resort for a summer vacation they will never forget. The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine Amazon View On Amazon $19 The sequel to the viral first book finds the main characters tangled up in a web of lies after their attacker is released from prison. As Long As You Need by J.S. Park Amazon View On Amazon $15 A hospital chaplain decodes four types of grief—spiritual, mental, physical, and relational—and offers compassionate reflection along the way. Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake Amazon View On Amazon $18 One woman’s witty journey of being forced to fake a relationship after a traumatic one-night stand. Practical Optimism by Sue Varma Amazon View On Amazon $18 The perspective of a psychiatrist on finding positivity and a practical guide to living fully in a turbulent world. Tourist Season by Brenda Novak Amazon View On Amazon $15 A summer of reconnecting with her fiancé by the ocean sounds ideal, until old secrets wash ashore and make her question it all. In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander Amazon View On Amazon $12 An ambitious video game designer gets thrown off course when her neighbor invites her on an all-expenses-paid Caribbean vacation. Happy Place by Emily Henry Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Barnesandnoble.com $18 View On Bookshop.org $18 After breaking up five months ago, a couple pretends to still be engaged for a weeklong vacation with their best friends. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Amazon View On Amazon $12 It’s supposed to be a quick fling for the summer, but complicated family dynamics and unexpected feelings suddenly enter the scene. Birdie & Harlow by Taylor Wolfe Amazon View On Amazon $18 A funny and heartfelt story of one woman's unbreakable relationship with her dog—and how he helped her define what it means to be a family as she entered motherhood. The Rule Book by Sarah Adams Amazon View On Amazon $14 College exes reunite for a professional contract and wake up one morning to find themselves in bed together…and married. Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous by Mae Marvel Amazon View On Amazon $17 High school sweethearts reunite when a bet turns to something more serious, but can their reconnection last? The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce Amazon View On Amazon $17 Exes join forces to save their best friend’s wedding from disaster without realizing it will open the door for their own romantic rendezvous. Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy Amazon View On Amazon $9 Eager to escape her strict father, one woman finds herself entangled with two different men during a study abroad experience in London. Middle of the Night by Riley Sager Amazon View On Amazon $15 One man’s journey to confront childhood trauma and uncover what lurks beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect neighborhood. Call You When I Land By Nikki Vargas Amazon View On Amazon $16 A travel writer’s inspiring reflection on chasing her dream career after ditching a stable life. The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson Amazon View On Amazon $15 A hockey player and a baker team up to garner good PR for their respective careers, but will it all fall apart before it pays out? You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus Amazon View On Amazon $10 Things get deadly when three friends get together to relive a high school "ditch day." One Last Word by Suzanne Park Amazon View On Amazon $10 One woman’s journey to find out what she really wants in life by launching an app that allows you to send messages to people in your life after you’ve died. The Truth About the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline Amazon View On Amazon $19 Family secrets lead to a gruesome discovery and just how far siblings will go to protect one another…and the family name. One Last Breath by Ginny Myers Sain Amazon View On Amazon $16 A double murder 20 years ago haunts a Florida town, so when a stalker surfaces most are left to wonder: Who is next? One In A Millenial by Kate Kennedy Amazon View On Amazon $14 A deep dive on how millennials have been shaped (for better or for worse) by pop culture with plenty of nostalgic anecdotes. The Orphanage By The Lake by Daniel G. Miller Amazon View On Amazon $22 A private detective hired to find a missing girl from an orphanage soon discovers that the case is not as straightforward as it seems. On Thriving by Brandi Sellerz-Jackson Amazon View On Amazon $20 A doula shares her perspective on thriving and finding joy, particularly when life feels confusing. How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin Amazon View On Amazon $21 A woman spends her entire life trying to prevent her own murder, only to be proven right when she is found dead at home. Be The Unicorn by William Vanderbloemen Amazon View On Amazon $18 After studying 30,000 people, a reveal of the 12 habits that differentiate great leaders from everyone else. Bones Worth Breaking by David Martinez Amazon View On Amazon $17 A heartbreaking story of the bond between brothers that explores the impact of global forces, such as addiction, abuse, and race in modern America. Woman of Interest by Tracy O’Neill Amazon View On Amazon $24 One woman's quest to find her missing birth mother, while exploring her own definition of family, identity, and self. The Wives by Simone Gorrindo Amazon View On Amazon $15 An intimate look into one woman’s experience of leaving her life in New York City to become a military spouse while reflecting on marriage, friendship, and self-worth. The Celebrants by Stephen Rowley Amazon View On Amazon $19 View On Bookshop.org $17 View On Barnesandnoble.com $26 The journey of college friends who make a pact to celebrate all of life’s ups and downs. First In The Family by Jessica Hoppe Amazon View On Amazon $28 One woman’s journey to recovery—the first in her family to do so—and an intimate portrait of what it means to overcome addiction in America. After Annie by Anna Quindlen Amazon View On Amazon $15 A husband, children, and best friend are forced to find a way forward after tragically losing the woman they loved. The Women by Kristin Hannah Amazon View On Amazon $19 When one woman goes to Vietnam to fight for her country, she comes home to a divided nation that wants to forget the war—and those who gave it all. The Old Gays Guide to the Good Life by Mick Peterson, Bill Lyons, Robert Reeves, and Jessay Martin Amazon View On Amazon $18 An even mix of spirited memoir and life advice from viral gay men known as "The Old Gays," ranging in age from 67-80. The Teacher by Freida McFadden Amazon View On Amazon $11 As a scandal goes sideway, one woman will do whatever it takes to keep her secrets hidden. The Husbands by Holly Gramazio Amazon View On Amazon $15 One woman’s journey to discovering the paths we choose in life after returning home drunk one night to a husband she didn’t know she had. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit