For book lovers in search of a silver lining, here’s one: even in these unprecedented times, it’s still safe to read on the beach! Find your outdoor oasis, practice social distancing and take a dip into these recently published books. The offerings below, handpicked to provide a much-needed escape, range from steamy rom-coms and domestic dramas to literary thrillers and personal histories. And always remember: if it's a book and you’re reading it on a beach, it’s a beach read.
And they lived happily ever after…
Beach Read written by Emily Henry
The title says it all, right? Not quite! Beach Read explores issues like grief and trauma, but it’s also laugh-out-loud funny and super sexy. A gem!
Check the CatalogTake a Hint, Dani Brown written by Talia Hibbert
Raise your hand if “fake relationship” is your favorite trope. The Brown Sisters are back in this addictive romance by the author of Get a Life, Chloe Brown.
Check the CatalogSex and Vanity written by Kevin Kwan
The king of beach reads (ever heard of Crazy Rich Asians?) returns with this modern retelling of A Room With a View.
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Not Like the Movies written by Kerry Winfrey
Ideal for fans of yacht rock, Gilmore Girls and Nora Ephron movies, this Luke and Lorelai-esque love story is a delicious follow-up to Waiting for Tom Hanks.
Check the CatalogLet’s keep it real
Rockaway: Surfing Headlong into a New Life written by Diane Cardwell
Ever wish you could change your entire life? It can be refreshing just to read about someone who did. In this memoir, award-winning journalist Diane Cardwell recounts the collapse of her marriage and her decision to move to the Rockaways to become a surfer.
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Open Book written by Jessica Simpson
Pop stardom, reality television and Page Six headlines: Jessica Simpson’s memoir is the ultimate beach read. Listen to the audiobook to hear it read by Jessica herself, plus a handful of new songs.
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Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock and the Fight to Fit In written by Phuc Tran
In this coming-of-age memoir, Phuc Tran immigrates to small-town Pennsylvania during the fall of Saigon and finds solace in classic literature and punk rock music.
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The Chiffon Trenches written by André Leon Talley
“Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” Written by the former creative director and editor-at-large of Vogue magazine, fans of The Devil Wears Prada will eat up this insider’s account of the fashion industry.
Check the CatalogLiterary thrills and chills
The House on Fripp Island written by Rebecca Kauffman
A beautifully written page-turner about family secrets, social class and a resort vacation gone very wrong.
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A Burning written by Megha Majumdar
Set in modern-day India, a Facebook comment lands an ambitious young woman in jail in this tense, expertly-crafted debut novel.
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Malorie written by Josh Malerman
It feels like only yesterday when everyone was talking about Sandra Bullock and the unseen monsters of Bird Box, the Netflix movie based on Josh Malerman’s novel. As we muddle through our own apocalypse, at least this sequel will help pass the time.
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Mexican Gothic written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Do not miss this Gothic fantasy thriller set in 1950s Mexico featuring beautiful gowns, family turmoil and a haunted mansion.
Check the CatalogGorgeous writing for word nerds
So We Can Glow written by Leesa Cross-Smith
Did Leesa Cross-Smith have a vision the world would desperately need stories like hers right now? Bite-size and lyrical, with titles like “Tim Riggins Would’ve Smoked” and “Girlheart Cake with Glitter Frosting,” this collection is a treat.
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Fraternity written by Benjamin Nugent
A collection of linked short stories following the residents of a frat house in Amherst, Massachusetts. Give it a chance and thank the flawless author of this blog post at a later date.
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All Adults Here written by Emma Straub
Set in the Hudson Valley, this ensemble novel centers on the matriarch and adult siblings that make up the Strick family. If you enjoy the vibes of The Family Stone, Gilmore Girls and/or Parenthood, this is the beach read for you.
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The Knockout Queen written by Rufi Thorpe
Brace yourself: once you meet Bunny Lampert, you might never recover. Hilarious and heartbreaking, this novel is a one-of-a-kind look at suburbia, class, friendship and violence.
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This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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