5 Books That Are a Must for Your Beach Vacation

Most summers, we rent a beach house on Fire Island, a magical place off the coast of Long Island, New York, which for the most part is only accessible by ferry. And once you get there, people ride their bikes (unless you’re like me and have forgotten how to ride a bike, even though people say it’s something you never forget), walk, or take more ferries from community to community because most people aren’t allowed to drive on the island. That’s right, there are no cars! We always stay in Lonelyville (isn’t that the most melancholy name ever for a place?). But as you know, you are never truly lonely if you have a good book and, believe me, I always bring plenty.

Is there nothing more relaxing than reading leisurely by the beach? Well, I wouldn’t know, because these days it’s too hard to keep one eyeball on my four-year-old son, who is a daredevil, and one eyeball on the page. As they say, traveling with children is not a holiday; it’s a trip with kids. I’m happy that I got my summer reading done early and am able to share my favorite picks with you. So, dear reader, I am going to live vicariously through you, and I’ll be thinking about how you’re enjoying my top picks for Beach Reads. I’ve got something for everybody—thrillers, juicy memoirs, and quirky literary fiction that will have you laughing out loud.