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Beach Bag Books
36
items For the past seven years, I've participated in my local library's summer reading competition. I've never won the special prize at the end, but I felt like a winner because it challenged me to read without inhibition. I fell in love with so many of th...
Sections
4
Dip Your Toes (Fiction)
Sunkissed Romance (No Spice)
Heat Wave Reads (Spicy)
Shade Break (Non-Fiction)
Dip Your Toes (Fiction)
These are books are a small sampling of some of my favorite reads across a variety of genres. For my fantasy girlies who don't want to commit to an entire series, both Ink Blood Sister Scribe, and Uprooted are a perfect solution! Jay Asher and John G...
The show based on this book was hard to watch and at some points very graphic. Jay Asher's original work however does an excellent job of portraying what Hannah went through without glorifying suicide. This book is deep, intriguing, and beatifully ex...
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This is one of those short but impactful classics that everyone should read at some point in their lives. There is pleny of mystery and intrigue without the need to commit a lot of time to a single book.
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
This was my first John Green book, and let me just say, I don't feel like it gets enought hype. I connected with the characters and felt so many of my own mental health struggles validated within these pages.
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
This Naomi Novik book was not the first on my TBR list, but was the first that I read. When I finished it, I was in awe of how Naomi was able to elegantly condense an entire fantasy story into one book.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
I loved the melding of mystery and magic in this book. For a debut novel, this one took me to faraway places and made me long for more stories by Emma. I hope that you'll enjoy this book as much as I did.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs
This historical fiction actually found me at a beach rental in 2020. The story was so gripping and I rushed to finish this before leaving the rental. I'm not usually the biggest fan of Nazi-era stories, but this is one I would definitely enjoy readin...
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Sunkissed Romance (No Spice)
These are all the sweet and salty love stories that live rent free in my head. The diverse characters and rich settings have made each of these books easy favorites. I've read so many of them more than once and would gladly revisit the others. The pe...
Who knew that Mr. Margaritaville wrote more than songs? This “tropical epic” has the same laid-back feel as his signature music and I loved every moment.
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett
This was a recommendation from my sister and I'm so glad I took her up on it. It's the perfect mashup of the shows Bunheads and Emily in Paris!
Kisses and Croissants by Anne Sophie Jouhanneau
I fell HARD for Kevin Kwan's writing style and sense of humor in this book. Though it's similar to the popular movie, the footnotes Kevin provides are EVERYTHING!
Crazy Rich Asians (Book 1) by Kevin Kwan
The second book in the series introduces a lot of new and dynamic characters. However, there's still plenty more story from the ones I already loved.
China Rich Girlfriend (Book 2) by Kevin Kwan
This is the final book in the series, and I loved it as much as the first two. There's never a dull moment in these books and they are always over the top.
Rich People Problems (Book 3) by Kevin Kwan
I loved this sweet romance in the middle of a summer-long family boating adventure. The importance of family is the lifeline thread throughout.
Changes in Latitudes by Jen Malone
This is the book where I first fell in love with Jenna Evans Welch's immersive storybuilding and character devlopment. Jenna truly dives into the feel of Florence and Lina's unconventional life.
Love & Gelato (Book 1) by Jenna Evans Welch
While not my favorite of the three Love & books, you truly feel like you are IN Ireland. I love the nods to Love and Gelato, and would never have you pass up this adventure.
Love & Luck (Book 2) by Jenna Evans Welch
Love and Olives is possibly my favorite summer read of all time. A search for Atlantis, a magical Santorini Book Store, and the sweetest romance. I'm leaving now to go re-read this. Bye!
Love & Olives (Book 3) by Jenna Evans Welch
This is Jenna's most recent release, and though I always think of it as an autumn read, the book itself takes place in the summertime in Salem, Massachusetts. Jenna writes the most spellbinding stories and this one definitely has her unique brand of ...
Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch
I've read several of Kassie's books and loved them all, but this one had a special feel to it. I actually recommend it to my sister when she took a trip out west with my parents last summer and she said that it had the exact right vibe.
Places We've Never Been by Kasie West
I love the woes of a summer without cell service, especially having lived it for all of my teen years. This is an adorable read with all of the summer vibes.
Sunkissed by Kasie West
Heat Wave Reads (Spicy)
Fun fact, I love flirty romance, but I hate the spice, so I never read the spicy scenes. That being said, these books are filled with great stories and dynamic characters… and if spice is your thing, there's that too!
This series is set in a fictional island in the Florida Keys and was my first introduction to Meg Cabot since her Princess Diaries days. No Judments is a literal whirlwind romance, placing the characters in the line of a category 5 hurricane.
No Judgments (Book 1) by Meg Cabot
A gorgeous setting, a single Dad, and a children's librarian? What more could you ask for?
No Offense (Book 2) by Meg Cabot
No Words was my favorite in the Little Bridge Island series. It had the most witty banter and romcom feel.
No Words (Book 3) by Meg Cabot
There's always something fun about a writier, writing about writers. When two writers become neighbors for the summer, a little competition helps them to overcome their writer's block.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
As a Carolina girl myself, I can't resist a book set it my home state. Plus, this small mountain town paired with big city characters gives holiday romcom vibes, but set in the summer.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
I think I would rate this as my top Emily Henry book so far. I love the small-town vibes and the roommate/hot bartender teaching the children's librarian, Daphne how to fall in love with where she lives, even when her life didn't turn out the way she...
Funny Story by Emily Henry
This was the first Emily Henry book I read, and it has been a difficult one to top. I was so excited when the movie dropped and though some of the setting and details changed, the characters felt so close to the book.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Somehow I never realized that this book was part 2 of a 3-book series, but I loved it on it's own. The book begins with a Vietnamese mother hunting down a wife for her autistic son and takes a lot of twists and turns. There's plenty of great represen...
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
I love a good marriage of convenience book and this one is full of beautiful scenery, dreamy island stays, and great banter.
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
The Unhoneymooners is likely my favorite Christina Lauren book. I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope and a tropical vacation doesn't hurt either.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I'm not a huge fan of stories set “out west” but Wilder was my introduction to the writing duo Christina Lauren and I was hooked.
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm obsessed with New Zealand, so having a story that takes place in Auckland is what drew me to this book. There's themes of mystery, reunited family, and of course a dash of romance.
When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal
Shade Break (Non-Fiction)
These books each have a special place on my shelf. I love a good story, so memoirs are some of my favorite ways to learn more about my favorite celebrities and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse in their own words. I am also a sucker for a book that tea...
Jodi Benson-the voice of Ariel in the Little Mermaid- was a huge part of my childhood and has continued to be the type of person I aspire to be. Her autobiography was such a beautiful reflection on how she became part of our world!
Part of My World by Jodi Benson
As a Gilmore Girls fanatic, reading Lauren Graham's experiences from her own perspective was such a gem. Lauren is just one of those actresses who knows who she is and chooses her roles accordingly. Love her!
Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
This is the softer. version of the popular book, Unf*ck Your Brain, featuring the same great information, just less cursing. It's easily digestable and and enjoyable read that will give you the tools you need to overcome many mental health struggles.
Befriend Your Brain by Faith G. Harper
My sister recommended this book to me and I LOVED it! Not only is it filled with things I needed to read, but it is written in such a creative and unique way. Life changer for sure!
The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna
I had the priviledge of meeting Dave Mitchell before reading his books and I've loved them all. This was my first introduction into his writing style and it kept me interested while offering practical information in an easy-to-understand way.
The Power of Understanding People by Dave Mitchell
Everyone loves Dolly and I will die on that hill. Every part of this book brought a smile to my face and I swear Dolly never wrote a song she didn't love.
Songteller by Dolly Parton