Nothing spells summer like a trip to a beach with a gripping book. There’s something about the gentle crush of a wave caressing the sandy shore, the smell of the sea or the feeling of the sand between our toes that that make us crave escapism. If you are looking for an atmospheric read to indulge in while on vacation, then you have come to the right place. From sun-soaked, coming-of-age dramas to heart-stopping thrillers, we have rounded up twelve perfect page-turners you can breeze through this summer.
Evil Under The Sun by Agatha Christie
A seaside resort off the coast of Devon welcomes the guests from all walks of life. Entrepreneurs and officers, teachers and film stars- all flock to the Jolly Roger for a peaceful vacation in the sun. But everything changes with the arrival of Arlena Marshall. Flirtatious and vein, the young siren spares no man. Following a secret rendezvous, she soon turns up dead on an isolated beach, baffling even the famous Belgian sleuth. As investigation awakens the ghosts of the past, Hercule Poirot begins to suspect there might be a serial killer on the loose. With no time to waste, he will have to rely on his little grey cells to stop the evil in its tracks.
The queen of suspense, Agatha Christie stirs some sparking dialogues, tension and even a dash of black magic into one potent cocktail of mystery you will enjoy savouring on a balmy night.
Buy it on AmazonPirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
Jamaica in 1665 is a rough outpost of the English crown, a minor colony holding out against the vast supremacy of the Spanish empire. Port Royal, Jamaica′s capital, a cut-throat town of taverns, grog shops, and bawdy houses, is devoid of London′s luxuries; life here can end swiftly with dysentery or a dagger in your back. But for Captain Charles Hunter it is a life that can also lead to riches, if he abides by the island′s code. In the name of His Majesty King Charles II of England, gold in Spanish hands is gold for the taking. And law in the New World is made by those who take it into their hands…
Buy it on AmazonBad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum
“These people are naughty by nature. They can’t seem to help themselves. Maybe it’s something in the bay surrounding them. Or the freedom they feel when they arrive at their beach houses, their kids are in camp or frolicking in the sand, mom and dad are hitting tennis balls, and as time passes slowly their promiscuous nature takes over.
It’s not only sun, sand, and tennis these folks are after during their summer respite, and it doesn’t take a G&T to loosen them up. Many came ready for some extra-marital action. With no cars on the small island, they’re pretty adept at sneaking around. Eventually their mischievous behavior is going to catch up with them. It’s just a matter of time before we find out who’s really bad. Enough to commit murder.
Grab this twisty, engaging, and can’t put down book. It brings the heat, the fireworks, and is just the summer book you’ve been looking for.”- Carilyn P.
Buy it on AmazonThis Side of Paradise by F.Scott Fitzgerald
Thanks to the latest film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald’s novels have regained their popularity And This Side of Paradise is no exception!
For a handsome Ivy-League student, Amory Blaine, who comes from a privileged background, life couldn’t get better. However, his luck is about to change with the collapse of his family’s wealth. If that was not enough, Amory has to deal with his academic failure at Princeton and face rejection from his love object. But will his charm and wits be enough to save the day? A perfect book for your Hampton beach vacation!
Read it Free Here Buy it on AmazonThe Beach Party by Nikki Smith
“It’s 1989 and a close group of uni friends head to Mallorca for a fortnight’s partying, staying in Nina’s luxurious family villa which sits high above the sea. The friends hear about a local fire festival in the next cove and sail across to join the fun and carnival atmosphere, partying with the locals as the sun goes down. As the sun sets, and everyone has drunk more than they should have; tragedy strikes. What happens changes the group for ever, with repercussions of the events spiralling out ever further.
30 years later, no-one has spoken about what happened, though they are all living with the fallout. Anonymous emails are sent as someone is out to spill the beans -who is it, and what do they know about the events of that night?”- Kath Vbtn
In The Shadow of Young Girls in Flower by Marcel Proust
“In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower also translated as Within a Budding Grove is the second installment in Marcel Proust’s masterpiece In Search of Lost Time. Beginning with the remarkable transformation of Swann’s mistress, Odette Crécy, and our young narrator’s pursuit of the daughter of Swann and Odette, Gilberte, In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower is an engaging continuation of Proust’s story. As our narrator recounts the anxieties and obsessions of young love, he evokes the seaside resort of Balbec. This evocation feels both impressionistic and fully developed. Wonderful writing! It is during his time in Balbec that his attention shifts from Gilbert to Albertine and he entertains the idea that he will become a writer. “- J. Sutton
Read it Free Here Buy it on AmazonThe Book-Lovers’ Retreat by Heidi Swain
Sometimes a book grabs you by the heart and grows to mean everything to you. That’s what Hope Falls is to friends Emily, Rachel and Tori. So, when they get the chance to spend a whole summer at the cottage in Lakeside. Spending six weeks away will give them a chance to re-evaluate their life choices. For Emily to decide which way her career will go. And for Rachel to decide whether to move in with her partner Jeremy. Then Tori has to drop out at the last moment, and her space is offered to another Hope Falls afficionado, Alex.
But when Alex turns out not to be who they expected, the holiday takes an unforeseen turn. And as the summer develops, so does their friendship. Could this be where they uncover their future selves, find love in all its forms and where their lives will change course forever…?
The Glass House by Eve Chase
“Recovering from a heart-breaking loss, the Harringtons retreat to their country home, Foxcote Manor, only to find a baby girl left on their doorstep. Secretly taking the baby in, their hearts are warmed, however, other secrets also linger and threaten at Foxcote and by the Summer’s end the idyll is over, a body found in the forest. Years later and Sylvie finds herself being drawn back into the secrets of her past.”- Little Bookworm
Buy it on AmazonBag of Bones by Stephen King
An isolated lake house with the curious name “Sara Laughs” represents different things to different people. For Mike Noonan, a writer who lost his pregnant wife in a freak accident, it is a place of inspiration and hope. For Mattie Devore, a young widow fighting for custody of her young daughter with her unscrupulous in-laws, it is a God-sent haven. But for a blues singer Sara Tidwell, it is a poignant reminder of her untimely death in an unspeakable act of violence. It comes as no surprise when the dark history of the log cabin begins to wrap its long fingers around the writer’s neck. Soon Mike finds himself at a supernatural intersection where the ghosts of the past reveal hideous secrets hidden in the depths of a lake.
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
This thought-provoking, fast-paced classic novel tells the story of a young English girl Lucy Honeychurch who tours around Italy accompanied by a chaperone. Aimed at broadening her horizons, the vacation presents Lucy with an opportunity to meet new people who challenge her views. Soon she becomes inextricably involved in a love triangle with strait-laced Cecil Vyse and doting George Emerson. Caught between one true love and a call of duty, Lucy rebels against the snobbery of Edwardian society. E. M. Forster displays a genius for addressing rigid social structure, sexual oppression and the nature of love stunning the readers with incredible insight into the issues.
Read it Free Here Buy it on AmazonOne Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Nestled between the emerald mountains of Columbia, lies the mythical town of Macondo, which harbours the dark secrets and incestuous relationships. Built upon the hopes and dreams of tormented exiles, the city of mirages witnesses the curse of the Buendia family, whose fragile existence is slowly corrupted by technological advances, exploitation and isolation, leading them to their tragic end. Whimsical and thought-provoking, this multi-generational saga skilfully interweaves lyrical magic with harsh reality into one heady brew of decadence, passion and oblivion.
Buy it on AmazonBeautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
If losing yourself in a peaceful oasis with turquoise blue waters is your idea of a summer vacation, then this little gem will provide everything you need for an exotic getaway. When a twist of fate brings a Hollywood starlet to an isolated village in Italy, little does she know that this emerald haven might hold a key to her heart. Fresh off a film set, Dee dives head-first into a whirlwind romance, bewitching the soul of a young innkeeper forever. Fifty years later, a lifelong affection for an American actress sends Pasquale on a quest to reunite with a woman he once loved, but lost. Enriched with a diverse cast of characters and a satirical edge, Beautiful Ruins seamlessly interweaves multiple storylines into one captivating read that sneaks up on you and pulls at your heartstrings when you least expect it.
Buy it on Amazon
Stella
Stella is a Marketing Consultant and has been writing content for Full Text Archive since 2015. When she is not writing, she is meticulously planning our social and e-mail campaigns. Stella holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Russian Literature, which has provided a broad foundation from which she continues to explore the written world.
She spends her free time reading, visiting old castles and discovering new coffee shops. She can be reached at stella