Working at a local library this summer reminded me of the comfort that reading brings and not just the kind that comes with the warm smell of books or the safe feeling of getting lost in between shelves. Reading reminded me of all the magical places I could travel to and the different perspectives I could witness through the words of someone’s heart laid out in the pages of a story. Here are some book recommendations to accompany your next beach trip or ease the stress of back to school season.
1.) Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Malibu Rising is a dual-timeline story set in the 1950’s and 1980’s following the complicated lives of the famous Riva family over the course of a lifetime and a single day. This story looks at the messiness of fame and how a generation of siblings tries to find themselves again through connection. I felt the drama with this one and found the characters to all have unique personalities and complex journeys. The perfect beach read that transports you straight to Malibu!Â
2.) The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
Inspired by Korean folktales, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a beautifully written standalone novel following Mina, who navigates the mythical Spirit Realm in order to save her village from a Sea God’s curse. Reading this one felt heartwarming and like a big hug. If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy and an emotional read, this one grips at the heart with its themes of found family, unconditional love, and generational healing. The writing is whimsical and its magic permeates through the page.
3.) Where You’ll Find Us by Jen St. Jude
If you want to experience time travel and eras colliding, this is the book for you. Where You’ll Find Us follows the stories of queer teenagers who discover Amaranth, a haven where time stops, at different points in their lives. This book was recommended to me by a librarian I worked with and beautifully threaded together history, love, and hope. You follow each character and get to experience their journey of self-discovery, survival, joy, and hope. Warning, this book is a definite tear-jerker!
4.) The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
This book is a hilarious romcom following Hannah who is a bodyguard assigned to work for actor Jack Stapleton. There is a fake dating trope element, lots of cheesy banter, and heartwarming moments as well. Center does a great job of creating a story that is feel-good in its nature while also touching on themes such as grief and rediscovering oneself. This one is perfect if you are looking for a quick read that has humor at the heart of its story.
While this is just a small glimpse of the stories you can experience, there are so many other ones waiting to be read as well. Your local library might have just the book you’re looking for tucked into one of its shelves or a nearby little free library might hold a book that is niche to your interests, connecting you with someone else in your community. Either way, I hope you find a story that brings you joy and warmth during your next beach visit or back to school transition!