5 Books That Must Go On Your Beach Vacation Reading List
Lifestyle - News
By NICOLE TOMMASULO
This story contains discussions of suicide, self-harm, and sexual abuse.
CONTENT WARNING
Beach reads have been a thing since the 19th century, when summer was rebranded as a time to relax and book-reading became a beloved pastime. We've shortlisted five great reads for your next beach vacation, including "Cult Classic" by Sloane Crosley. This is an enticing rom-com that also doubles up as a cautionary tale about getting stuck on past relationships.
The next beach read on the list is Grace D. Li's "Portrait of a Thief," which is about four Chinese-American college students embarking on a thrilling art heist, with a prize of millions of dollars at stake. The book also focuses on the loss of cultural identity for Chinese-Americans, and Book Page calls the story an "enticing and stimulating escape."
Our third recommendation, Meg Michell Moore's "Vacationland,” is a classic-style beach read about a struggling family's summer, filled with strained relationships and unexpected revelations; the Associated Press calls it a "Lifetime movie on the page." If you're looking for a “Gone Girl” vibe instead, "A Novel Obsession" by Caitlin Barasch is for you.
"A Novel Obsession" revolves around a writer's infatuation with her boyfriend's ex's perfect life; this book is full of suspense and will get you hooked right away, and Book List compares it to the book series and Netflix show "You." The last book we recommend is an intense psychological thriller called "The Last Housewife" by Ashley Winstead.
"The Last Housewife" follows the ripple effect of one woman's supposed suicide on a college campus and the involvement of a terrifying cult. While this read is definitely engaging, it comes with trigger warnings for self-harm, suicide, sexual assault, and misogyny, so it might not be suitable for everyone; do your research and read with caution.