The biggest beach reads for 2026

With summer just around the corner, we’ve rounded up the perfect books to pack in your beach bag! There’s something for every type of reader, whether you’re in the mood for a twisty thriller, a searing family drama, or an unforgettable memoir.. With summer just around the corner, we’ve rounded up the perfect books to pack in your beach bag! There’s something for every type of reader, whether you’re in the mood for a twisty thriller, a searing family drama, or an unforgettable memoir.

	With summer just around the corner, we’ve rounded up the perfect books to pack in your beach bag! There’s something for every type of reader, whether you’re in the mood for a twisty thriller, a searing family drama, or an unforgettable memoir.
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	‘Tense, twisty, and an emotional gut punch… A one-sitting read’ (Karin Slaughter) WHY IT’S READWORTHY: May’s Read with Jenna pick comes highly recommended by Freida McFadden, Lisa Jewell, and Liane Moriarty Simone wakes in the Texas desert to find her teenage daughter kidnapped — and a voice on the phone demanding she do the unthinkable… “A knockout” (Booklist starred review) from a New York Times bestselling author and Reese’s Book Club alum Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers On sunny Catalina Island, murder and mystery await… WHY IT’S READWORTHY: Race through the latest electrifying thriller from a #1 New York Times bestselling author hailed as “one of the best crime writers in the business” (Associated Press) As Detective Stillwell is drawn into a missing person case from four years ago, he turns to LAPD’s Detective Renée Ballard for help — and they find themselves on the trail of an elusive criminal “Crackling dialogue, complex investigations, tricky relationships, escalating suspense, and dogged and inspired sleuthing… Connelly is at his most polished and incisive” (Booklist starred review) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers An estranged mother-daughter duo race across the world to prevent catastrophe WHY IT’S READWORTHY: Cowritten by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Armand Gamache series and an award-winning journalist As alarm bells go off simultaneously around the world, the clock starts ticking down — and Vivien and Alice Li must decode an ancient legend to stop a deadly attack “The tight plotting, recognizable world, and complex character relationships make this thriller chillingly relevant and wholly engrossing” (BookPage) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers Take it from Elin Hilderbrand: June Baby is ‘the book of the summer!’ WHY IT’S READWORTHY: In the wake of tragedy and shocking revelations, Ruth must reexamine what she thought she knew about her past — and decide her future Will transport readers to a lush island off the coast of New England “Absorbing and moving, I loved every second of my time with Ruth on the island” (New York Times bestselling author Sarah Blake) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers Fans of Little Fires Everywhere will be riveted by this buzzy page-turner WHY IT’S READWORTHY: One of the must-read books of summer 2026, according to Oprah Daily April and Leo’s marriage is on the brink of collapse — and then their house catches fire. In the aftermath, they must navigate guilt, painful memories, and long-hidden secrets “A masterpiece — deep, riveting, and heartfelt” (Emma Grey, author of Pictures of You) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers Don’t miss this #1 New York Times bestselling memoir with a screen adaptation on the way! WHY IT’S READWORTHY: As Isabel Klee searched for love and purpose in New York City, she discovered her life’s true passion: rehabilitating rescue dogs and helping them find their forever homes If you’ve ever loved a furry friend, you’ll be moved by this candid and heartfelt read Publishers Weekly declares, “Readers will be charmed” Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers All aboard a cruise ship destination wedding in this ‘charming escapist romp’ (Booklist) WHY IT’S READWORTHY: The New York Times bestselling author of The Bodyguard and The Rom-Commers delivers another surefire hit To get over her fixation on her first crush, JoJo hatches a plan to woo him. But involving Cooper, the man who broke her heart, could have unintended consequences… “The characters’ sparkling banter effortlessly captures their long-standing intimacy. It’s a joy to watch their friends-to-lovers journey unfold” (Publishers Weekly starred review) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers This harrowing portrait of a religious cult has ‘the propulsive feel of a novel’ (The New York Times) WHY IT’S READWORTHY: Learn about the rise and fall of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps through the stories of its cruel leader, an early member, and the founder’s daughter “Troubling, uplifting, heartbreaking, unforgettable… A masterwork of narrative nonfiction” (Pulitzer Prize–winning author Ron Suskind) “A story about the terror of losing the self — but it’s also, gratifyingly, a story about finding the way back to it” (NPR) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers ‘An unforgettable page-turner’ (Adriana Trigiani) from a historical fiction powerhouse WHY IT’S READWORTHY: In 19th-century North Carolina, sisters Sarah and Adelaide marry world-famous conjoined twins from Siam The beloved author of Orphan Train delivers a mesmerizing tale inspired by her own family history “Emotionally moving, hard to put down… Written with compassion and sensitivity” (Library Journal starred review) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers The White Lotus meets The Devil Wears Prada in this deliciously wicked read WHY IT’S READWORTHY: Mystery writer Faye Wader is ready to host her first-ever fan retreat on Great Misery Island — but when an attendee is found dead in her room, things soon spiral out of control… Alice Hoffman raves, “It’s the perfect book club book that is as funny as it is thought-provoking” “Zigman delivers a fizzy combination of send-up and murder mystery. It’s good fun” (Publishers Weekly) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers This sparkling workplace romance is a must-have for your beach bag WHY IT’S READWORTHY: When she lands a new job she’s wholly unqualified for, Annie realizes she’s in trouble — and her attraction to the sexy interim head of her team definitely isn’t helping… Emily Henry fans will by delighted by the witty banter and swoon-worthy chemistry “Crisply written, smart, and full of unique, quirky characters, this is a truly joyful and healing love story. I give it five big stars” (Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers
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