The beach is read as a concept that means a lot of different things to different people. You can clearly see this in Book Riot’s list of the best beach books of all time, which ranges from thrillers to historical epics. My favorite tongue-in-cheek definition of beach reading is exactly as it’s described: a book set on the beach. However, in all seriousness, beach books make for a great vacation, whether you’re enjoying a seaside vacation or simply trying to escape the heat and relax on busy summer days.
These six epic fantasy seascapes will take you to coastal California, the Florida Keys, an island in Korea, and an isolated Uruguayan Cape. Make no mistake: Just because books are placed on the beach doesn’t mean they’re less read. These coastal historical fantasy books are thrilling, multi-generational sagas and explorations of the triumph of the human spirit. If you’re in the mood for a beach read set that won’t stop you, any one of these six historical fantasy books should do just fine.
untamed shore By Silvia Moreno-Garcia
In this noir-inspired thriller from the author Mexican GothicA young woman in 1970s Baja California gets a chance to work as an assistant for an American writer who comes to Mexico with his wife and brother-in-law. Viridiana has long dreamed of romance and escaping her drab, seaside town. The glamorous foreigners offer her the chance for some adventure, but when one of them dies and Viridiana lies to protect her new friends, she soon begins to realize that there may be dark secrets hidden beneath the shiny facade of her new life.
hula By Jasmine Iolani Hex
Hi’i, the youngest daughter of the famous Naupaka family, is well aware of her family’s role as the pride of Hilo. Her grandmother was the island’s hula matriarch, and now Hi hopes becoming the next Miss Aloha Hula will help heal the rift between her mother and grandmother and bring her closer to the community she’s always felt isolated from. But when the truth comes out about what happened to Hi’i’i’s mother, the entire community is forced to question what the future holds – most of all for Hi’i.
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Cantoras By Carolina De Robertis
In 1977 Uruguay, homosexuality is a punishable crime under the brutal military dictatorship, but for five women, Romina, Flaca, Anita, Paz, and Malena, music provides a respite. Somehow, they manage to find each other and an isolated cape where they can live on their own. Capo Polonio becomes their sanctuary, and as they return to the years together, alone and with lovers, they fight to live as themselves in a society that wants nothing more than to make them disappear.
island of sea women By Lisa C
On the Korean island of Jeju, female free-divers called haenyeo dive to a depth of 66 feet under the sea to gather food for their families. When Mi-ja and Young-suk are old enough, they begin their training as baby divers, learning special breathing techniques that will help them hold their breath for up to three minutes during a dive. But from the Japanese occupation to World War II and the Korean War, outside forces are changing the way of life on Jeju. Surviving hundreds of dives at once will pale in comparison to the other challenges they will soon face.
Malibu Rising By Taylor Jenkins Reed
On the eve of their famous summer party in Malibu, four siblings, children of singer Mick Riva, are harboring secrets that are about to be revealed. Nina is dreading the party she has been organizing for years, but feels constant pressure to keep her family together. Her estranged brothers, Jay and Hood, may not be able to recover from a long-overdue confession, and the baby of the family, Kit, has invited a secret guest over without telling anyone. But secrets aren’t the only thing threatening the Riva siblings tonight; Before night falls, their Malibu mansion will be engulfed in flames.
Last train to Key West by chanel cleaton
Over Labor Day weekend in 1935, tourists flocked to the Florida Keys, traveling along the famous Overseas Railroad, to enjoy a few days on the coast. For three women – Helen, a native of Key West, Mirta, who has recently escaped the Cuban Revolution, and Elizabeth, who is searching the veterans camps for her lost brother – the weekend will prove more treacherous and impactful than anyone could have imagined. One of the most powerful hurricanes in recorded history is barreling its way, and nothing in the Keys will ever be the same.
Want even more seaside historical fiction for your summer reading? Try these recommendations:
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