One of the best times to reach for a great book is at the beach, with the glistening sun and pleasant ocean breeze passing over you as you read. The following titles are a combination of my favorites from the past few years and good books to spend your day lounging on the beach with. They all come from female authors with all female protagonists. Their genres range anywhere from non-fiction to science fiction, so they can be perfect for a variety of readers; when you’re looking for your next beach read, consider any of these!

#5: “Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man’s World” by Lauren Fleshman

This non-fiction book is about Lauren Fleshman, a professional runner who started running in high school and worked her way up through the ranks of collegiate then professional running. The story follows her as she breaks down barriers for women and works to create a level playing field for everyone. It’s a great read for the summer if you’re looking for a motivational and inspiring story of female empowerment.

#4: “Sea of Tranquility” by Emily St. John Mandel

This science fiction novel contains three stories, set hundreds of years apart, and the journeys that bring them together. It tackles time travel and global pandemics, leading readers to question their own perception of reality. The characters aren’t necessarily lovable, but you’ll find yourself invested in their stories nonetheless. If you’re looking for a calming read, full of intrigue and impossible to put down, then this is a great option for your long days at the beach.

#3: “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng

This is a story about family and the things we would do for the ones that we love. The novel centers around a few families in an upper class neighborhood, following how they interact, live their lives, and how far they would go to seemingly protect the ones they hold most close to their hearts. Although appearing to be a mystery novel at first glance, it is, at its core, a story about love. This is a great novel for any time spent outside or on the beach this summer as it is a reminder of love and its complexity.

#2: “Carrie Soto is Back” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This novel is an intense adventure about a female athlete in the form of a historical novel. It takes on the hard topics of ageism, sexism and racism all while telling a gripping story about Carrie Soto and her path to tennis history. It’s a great, intense, but heartwarming story about dedication and going above and beyond. This is the perfect book for the beach when you need something to pull you in and not let go until you reach the final page.

#1: “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han

This YA novel is about a group of friends and their moms, who have spent time together every summer at Cousins Beach; the story follows their growth from kids to teens to young adults and watches as they unknowingly fall in love. It’s a great summer beach read as you’re living like they are, with long days on the beach and the sun kissed skin. And if you really enjoy the first book then you’re in luck: there are three books in the trilogy, one season on Amazon Prime and a second coming out in July!