Technically, officially the first day of summer isn’t until next month, but parents and grandparents across Tucson may beg to differ. For them, the first day of summer is the last day of school, and “summer” is now under way.
It is time to start planning and packing for those summer-vacation trips out of town … and time to start browsing the “Beach Reads” table at your neighborhood bookstore.
This popular sub-genre generally includes books that are relatively short, light and easy to read. Happy endings are preferred.
If you are looking for a few suggestions, volunteers with the Tucson Festival of Books offered these for the summer of ’24:
“Swan Song” by beach-read favorite Elin Hilderbrand is fittingly named, being the last installment in her Nantucket series of summer novels. Scheduled for release June 11, “Swan Song” will remind readers of Gatsby … until the mansion burns down and the owner’s most important employee goes missing. — Pamela Treadwell-Rubin
“Desperation Reef” by T. Jefferson Parker will debut July 16, just as the June gloom cloud-cover disappears over the beaches of Southern California. It will feature Jen Stonebreaker and her twin sons, all three accomplished surfers who have decided to enter a big-wave surfing contest. The competition could wash away Jen’s demons … or leave her with even more. — Bill Viner
“Mary Jane” by Jessica Anya Blau features a quiet, bookish 14-year-old in Baltimore who agrees to nanny the 4-year-old daughter of a local psychiatrist. The experience will change Mary Jane’s world, and worldview, forever. This delightfully funny beach read even includes a beach. — Gay Vernon
“Why We Love Baseball” by Joe Posnanski is a collection of 50 baseball moments that illustrate why the sport is so addictive to so many Americans. Each of the short stories are described by Posnanski, meaning they’re as funny as they are insightful. — Jack Siry
“The Wide Wide Sea” by Hampton Sides profiles the legendary English explorer, Captain James Cook, and takes us aboard the HMS Resolution for Cook’s final, fateful voyage. Cook was known for his respect of the Indigenous people he encountered on his travels. Why, then, was he killed by native Hawaiians on the island of Hawaii in 1779? — Bruce Dinges
“The Prospects” by KT Hoffman is a baseball romance that is perfect for summer. It is a joyful story that will keep readers smiling, occasionally through their tears. Meet Gene Ionescu, a career minor leaguer now playing for the Beaverton Beavers. Now, welcome to the dugout an old nemesis, Luis Estrada. — Jessica Pryde
“Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett appeared on a number of “best of” lists last year, and will now be a summertime favorite every year going forward. In spring 2020, former actress Lara Wilson welcomes her three daughters back to the family’s orchard in Northern Michigan. Soon, the daughters realize Lara’s life before marriage wasn’t what they assumed. They might want to look at themselves a little differently, too. — Maria Parham
“With a Little Luck” by Marissa Meyer is a young adult rom-com in which 16-year-old Jude discovers that being magically gifted with incredible luck could be a curse when it comes to love. — Kathy Short
“The Beach at Summerly” by Beatriz Williams takes us to Winthrop Island in 1946, the first summer season after World War II. A socialite name Olive Rainsford has moved into the guest cottage at Summerly, a majestic seaside estate owned by the Peabody family. Life at Summerly is good and glamourous until the FBI arrives, accusing Olive of being a Russian spy. — Pamela Treadwell-Rubin
“How to Age Disgracefully” by Clare Pooley will debut June 11. It is set in a senior citizens’ social club whose members’ past lives range from quirky to questionable. When the city council threatens to sell the building, they pull together a multigenerational crew to thwart the deal. — Thea Chalow
“Queen Charlotte” by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes is the latest addition to the uber-popular Bridgerton series. Princess Charlotte is beautiful, smart and headstrong … not really what the British royal court had in mind when seeking in a spouse for young King George III. But she proves to be just what the young monarch needs. — Tamara MC
“I Was Amelia Earhart” by Jane Mendelsohn is an oldie but goodie that reimagines one of aviation’s most compelling mysteries. One part adventure, one part historical fiction, and two parts romantic fantasy, this 160-page book is a treat for readers prone to having their head in the clouds. — Darrell Durham
