2020 Beach Reads for Wherever You Are

Whether you’re lounging in your backyard soaking up the rays or curled up on the couch, we can all agree that an essential part of any relaxation routine is having a good book to get lost in. While we’d typically get our reading done on the white sandy beaches of Hilton Head Island, we’ve put together a list of page-turners that will have you mentally transported to your beach chair and basking in warm sunshine in no time. Check out our favorite recommended reads for this summer.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

The Testaments

For fans of the show or book, The Handmaid’s Tale, this follow-up novel is a must-read. Picking up the story more than fifteen years after Offred stepped into the unknown, The Testaments offers answers to questions that Atwood readers have had for decades. What lies ahead for Offred—freedom, prison or death? With explosive testaments of three radically different women from Gilead, each woman is forced to come to terms with who she is, and how far she will go for what she believes. Find out for yourself why this book was named Best Fiction in Goodreads Choice Awards 2019.

 

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

The Glass Hotel

Vincent, a bartender at an upscale hotel, is working the night that a mysterious figure leaves a threat directed at the hotel’s owner. The next year, she and the owner, who is running a vast Ponzi scheme, are married and living in New York. The book takes the reader from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to the wilderness of northern Vancouver Island—weaving a captivating portrait of greed and guilt, love and delusion, and the consequences of past mistakes.
 

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Dubbed a quintessential coming-of-age love story of our time. This captivating novel follows the sporty and outgoing Connell and the shy and quiet Marianne, who are drawn together despite their differences. The New York Times Bestseller follows the duo as they navigate the trials and tribulations of growing up and moving away from small-town Ireland. They must decide how far they'll go to help the other, all while battling their own struggles. No matter your age, you are guaranteed to find a piece of yourself in the characters throughout Rooney’s novel.

 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The ballad of songbirds and snakes

Hunger Games fans rejoice! Suzanne Collins is back with a prequel to the beloved series. Due to be released May 19th, the novel follows eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow as he prepares for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the tenth annual Hunger Games. The fate of Snow’s house depends on Coriolanus to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his peers to mentor the winning tribute. The odds are against him as he has to mentor the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. With their fates now completely intertwined, every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor, failure, or triumph.

P.S. We think this also gives you a good excuse to re-read all of The Hunger Games books— followed by a movie marathon, of course. 

 

Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman

Separation Anxiety

Life hasn’t gone according to Judy’s plan. Her career as a children’s book author offered a glimpse of success before taking a nosedive. Teddy, now a teenager, treats her with some combination of mortification and indifference. Her best friend is dying. And her husband, Gary, has become a professional “snackologist” who she can’t afford to divorce. To top it all off, she has a painfully ironic job writing articles for a self-help website—a poor fit for someone who can’t seem to help herself. This hilarious and surprisingly tender novel offers a candid glimpse into middle-aged limbo and the well-intentioned but increasingly disastrous steps one takes to correct her relationships, her career, and find happiness along the way.

 

It’s Not All Downhill From Here by Terry McMillan 

It's not all Downhill

Loretha Curry's lives a good life. On the eve of her sixty-eighth birthday, she has a successful beauty-supply empire, a squad of lifelong friends, and a loving husband. Loretha is not one of those women who think her best days are behind her and she's determined to prove her mother, her sister, and everyone else with that outdated view of aging wrong. 

When an unexpected loss turns her world upside down, Loretha demonstrates what it means to be a strong and determined woman. With a little help from her loyal group of friends, of course.
 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient

This shocking psychological thriller follows the life of Alicia Bereson who suddenly and violently murders her husband, and then never speaks another word. The tabloids and magazines become enthralled by Bereson’s case and fascinated by her refusal to talk. However, they aren’t the only ones interested. Narrated by Alicia’s psychotherapist, we see his interest in Alicia begin to turn into obsession. Will Theo get her to speak? Will he uncover her dark past? Or will he let her silence consume him completely?  

 

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

The Happily Ever After Playlist

Every must-read list needs a good romance novel on it and The Happy Ever After Playlist is just that. Due to be released on April 14th, this highly anticipated novel follows the life of Sloan Monroe as she deals with the loss of her fiancé and finds hope in a homeless pup, Tucker. When Tucker’s real owner—a musician on tour in Australia—reaches out and wants Tucker back, Sloan must fight for her furry friend. However, as she continues to communicate with Tucker’s owner she can’t deny a connection. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak? 

With so many great books to read this spring and summer, the only question is deciding which one to start with! Have you read a book recently that you love? Let us know about it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and we’ll be sure to add it to our list!

Beach view

Find Your Island Time

Hilton Head is America’s favorite island, offering 12 miles of pristine beaches and everything you need for the ultimate retreat. Enjoy easy days relaxing in the sun, sand and surf on some of the best beaches in the country.
Inspiration Starts Here