My 2015 Picks for Best Beach Reads and My Summer Reading List

For me, there's nothing better than reading a book at the beach or the pool during the summertime. It's my absolute favorite time of year.  Here are my beach read picks for 2015.  If you are interested in my thoughts regarding a particular book, be sure to click the title, which I linked to my reviews.  

If You Want a Book That Will Make You Smile:

  

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord- This is one of my favorite YA books of the year. It is smart, funny, and heartbreaking and more importantly, Lord created extremely realistic characters. I loved how she also depicted familial relationships, especially with the main character and her grandmother.  

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han - I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!  Jenny Han is one of my favorite authors and shouldn't be missed, especially if you like contemporary young adult novels. 

If You Want Delicious Drama:

                      

Broken Hearts and Revenge series by Katie Finn - This series is summertime fun at its best. There are mean girls, revenge, the Hamptons and a whole lot of drama.  

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan - If you love the Royal family, this is a must read. The story was inspired by Kate Middleton and Prince William's relationship. Need I say more?

99 Days by Kate Cotugno - Oh, man. The drama in this book. Although I didn't always agree with the decisions made by the main character, I was completely addicted to the storyline. Plus, I loved the summertime setting!

If You Want a Book That Captures Summertime Magic:

The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski - Doktorski really captured summertime at its best. There's romance, some drama, and flashbacks to Superstorm Sandy. I loved this coming-of-age-tale set at the Jersey Shore.

If You Want a Darker, More Serious Summertime Read:

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll- There are many cringeworthy moments in this dark thriller, but if you like complex characters with a strong voice, this book will have you flipping pages feverishly.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen- Dessen usually writes lighter, fluffier novels, but that's not the case with this novel and I welcome the change. Dessen balances light and dark very well in the novel all while depicting memorable characters and friendships.

Summer Secrets by Jane Green- I love a Nantucket setting in the summertime, so this book definitely fit the bill. As the story went on, I enjoyed the main character more and more. There's secrets, family drama and the beach  = a quintessential summertime read.

If You Love To Get Lost in the Past:

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - I read this one a few months ago, but I still think it would make for a great beach read, especially if you like historical fiction and stories that move you.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd- The paperback edition of this novel just came out and would fit perfectly in your beach bag this summer. A truly powerful and memorable read that fans of historical fiction will savor. 

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa Lafaye - I love all things Florida Keys, so the setting of this novel was right up my alley. The suspense nearly killed me in this novel (hurricane!) and I loved Lafaye's depiction of racial tension in the south during the 1930s.  

If You Want a Middle Grade Beach Read:

The Forget-Me-Not-Summer by Leila Howland - Howland can do no wrong for me when it comes to beach reads. I adored her YA series and I absolutely fell in love with this middle grade book. Tweens will too!

My Favorite Beach Reads from 2014:

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan

My Favorite Beach Reads from 2013:

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland 

All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue

And You Can't Go Wrong With these "Older" Beach Reads:

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

The Summer I Turned Pretty (and the Summer series) by Jenny Han
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

The Island by Elin Hildebrand


My 2015 Summer Reading List:

Each summer, I love to throw some newer releases into my beach bag as well as some older books that I have been dying to read. Here's what you'll find in my beach bag this summer:

Young Adult:

1.  Rook by Sharon Cameron

2.  Illusionarium by Heather Dixon

3.  Trusting Liam by Molly McAdams

4.  Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

5.  Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

6.  What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

7.  The Edge of Forever by Melissa E. Hurst

8.  Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

9.  Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally

Adult:

1.  House of Hawthorne by Erika Robuck

2.  Newport by Jill Morrow

3.  Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis

4.  The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig

5.  The Secret Life Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams

6.  Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4) by Diana Gabaldon

7.  Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

8.  The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki 

9.  The Blue by Lucy Clarke

So, let me know what you think of my Beach Read Picks for 2015 as well as my summer reading list. What are you looking forward to reading this summer?