With summer here in full force, chances are that you’re planning your next vacation – or perhaps staycation – for a much-needed bout of R&R. With gorgeous beaches nearby and plenty of luxe rooftop pools in the city to choose from, your downtime is sure to include a little fun in the sun. One of the most relaxing ways to wile away the hours is with a good book, but where to start?
The formula has to be just right: the book can’t be too heavy (no one wants to fall asleep in the sun and risk serious sunburn), the plot has to be well-paced, and funny or insightful topics will do just fine. Or maybe you’re more of a thrill-a-minute gal who devoured books like The Girl on the Train or Big Little Lies. In that case, we’ve got you covered too. Discover five of summer 2017’s most essential beach reads, and find your perfect vacation companion in the process.
Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps
By Kelly Williams Brown
You might legally be considered an adult, but do any of us ever really feel like we’ve got a handle on the whole adulting thing? Through her wise and laugh-out-loud tome that has celebrities like Reese Witherspoon raving, Kelly Williams Brown is your guide through the difficult world of adulting. Proving that good advice never goes out of style, readers love the humorous book because – in their words – “It’s actually useful!”
Find it here.
One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter
By Scaachi Koul
One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter is the debut essay collection by Saatchi Koul, who has been compared to both Nora Ephron and David Sedaris. If you’re not embarrassed to belly-laugh in public, this entertaining book will have you roaring during an afternoon at the beach. She tackles topics like double standards for women, family problems, overbearing parents, and more in a tone that is light, non-judgy, and utterly relatable.
Find it here.
Suite for Barbara Loden
By Nathalie Léger
You might not have heard of Barbara Loden yet, but we can guarantee that you’ll be happy once you explore the history of this remarkable woman. Although Hollywood hasn’t always been friendly to female auteurs, Loden broke the mold with Wanda – a 1970 film that she wrote, directed, and starred in. Told via the incandescent prose of Nathalie Léger, this beautiful biography will connect you to Loden’s experiences in ways you would never expect.
Find it here.
The Woman in Cabin 10
By Ruth Ware
Although many of us have no doubt dreamt of becoming a travel writer, the profession is not all it’s cracked up to be in the new thriller The Woman in Cabin 10. Journalist Lo Blackwood embarks on a luxury press cruise aboard a boutique ship, setting sail to find the Northern Lights. However, she sees a body go overboard late in the night and must grapple with the truth in a page-turning third act. We’re predicting that you won’t be able to put this one down.
Find it here.
Swimming Lessons
By Claire Fuller
What if you wrote letters to your significant other detailing the truth of your relationship, and then hid them in an obvious spot for him to find? What if you then disappeared, leaving behind your husband and two daughters? This is the skeleton outline of Swimming Lessons, a mesmerizing story about loss, marriage, truth, regret, and more.
Find it here.
