Published June 4, 2025
BY AVERY PALSHAW and SAVANNA RADOWICZ
With summer around the corner and extra time to dive into some extra reading, it can be a tough task to pick the perfect beach read. Here are 10 books complete with captivating storylines and plot twists.
“Catch Me If You Can” – Frank W. Abagnale
Turned into a 2002 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, “Catch Me If You Can” is a fun and easygoing story about a young con artist and his many adventures. This is the perfect book for someone who doesn’t want to deal with too much intricacy, but wants an entertaining read.
“The Five People You Meet in Heaven” – Mitch Albom
Eighty-three-year-old Eddie lived what he believed to be a mundane life. After his sudden death he is confronted by five different people from his life, all of which show him the impact that he had on the world around him. Albom manages to address the nuanced meaning of life with a wholesome and understandable approach.
“Death on the Nile” – Agatha Christie
A quintessential mystery, this 1937 classic provides the tranquility of summer as the characters cruise along the Nile River, yet it also presents a conundrum when a passenger is murdered. Christie’s typical investigator Hercule Poirot must determine the culprit of this cold-blooded crime while traversing through exotic destinations. With more twists than the Nile itself, this novel is an exhilarating read.
“People We Meet on Vacation” – Emily Henry
For 10 years, Alex and Poppy had taken a summer trip together as friends. That is, until a trip to Croatia, where their friendship suddenly fell apart. Two years later, Poppy spontaneously convinces Alex to take one last vacation with her, where hopefully they can mend their relationship and determine what truly happened in Croatia.
“The Body” – Stephen King
Adapted into the 1986 film “Stand by Me,” this coming-of-age novella tells of four adolescent boys who set out to find the body of a missing boy. Set in the summer of 1960, the story is filled with bittersweet, childhood nostalgia, as the boys contemplate life, death and the realities of living in a small town. “The Body,” though simple, is a heartfelt novella for anyone seeking to reflect on the past this summer.
“The Honey Bus” – Meredith May
Carmel Valley native Meredith May effortlessly describes her complicated childhood through this enchanting memoir. From a whimsical fascination with bees, notable local landmarks and a strained family dynamic, May creates an enthralling personal experience that makes this an easy summer read.
“Circe” – Madeline Miller
Miller’s novel re-tells the Greek myth of Circe, following her neglectful childhood into adulthood, where she discovers her love for witchcraft. Yet with this breakthrough comes many difficulties and regrets that Circe must overcome. Not only is “Circe” an original spin on Greek mythology, but it is a coming-of-age, love and feminist story all in one, making it appealing to a variety of readers.
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette” – Maria Semple
Drained from suburban Seattle life and on the verge of a meltdown, unhinged Bernadette Fox goes missing just days before her and her family’s Antarctica trip. Her clever daughter, Bee, is left to piece together her mother’s whereabouts through a series of emails, invoices and school memos, but unearths a greater secret in the process. The only question left is: Where did Bernadette go?
“Just Kids” – Patti Smith
In her vivid memoir, Smith shows her audience what it was like to be a true starving artist in 1970s New York City. This captivating story of Smith’s rise to fame captures the ebb and flow of her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe while simultaneously name-dropping pop culture icons of this pivotal time in music history.
“The Color of Air” – Gail Tsukiyama
In this culturally rich story the thick humid air of the Hawaiian Islands intertwines with the complicated past of a local family. Alternating between two different timelines, “The Color of Air” beautifully captures grief, resilience, and healing as Daniel and his uncle Koji confront the ghosts of their past.
