When I made my first Beach Reads list, I couldn’t help but notice that it was almost entirely made up of romance books. And that just doesn’t do it for everybody. Take it from me, I have literally read The Martian by Andy Weir on the beach. So, this list isn’t necessarily just for the bros, but for anyone wanting to find anything but romance to read on the beach. This one has more seafaring adventures, thrillers, nonfiction and pirates.
The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz
While visiting the remote island where her fiancée Eszter died, Abby begins to suspect the death wasn’t an accident—and that the killer may still be among the tight-lipped expat community. As she digs deeper into the island’s secrets and Eszter’s final days, Abby realizes someone will do anything to keep the truth hidden—even kill again.
Eruption by Michael Crichton
A massive volcanic eruption threatens to destroy Hawaii’s Big Island—but an even more terrifying secret buried by the U.S. military is about to surface. Based on Michael Crichton’s final project and completed by James Patterson, Eruption is a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller decades in the making.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
When aspiring artist Louisa inherits a mysterious painting featuring three tiny figures on a pier, she sets off on a journey to uncover its origins—unraveling a story of friendship, art, and resilience that began decades earlier. As she draws closer to the painting’s past, Louisa begins to understand the quiet power of belief, connection, and finding one’s place in the world. A moving, heartfelt novel about how art and friendship can carry us through life’s darkest moments.
The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan
In the seaside town of Maple Bay, Nova Scotia—steeped in pirate lore and buried secrets—three strangers are drawn together by a mysterious treasure, a family legacy, and a series of chilling murders. As Peter, Dandy, and Cass unravel a century-old mystery, they uncover dark truths that tie them to the town—and to each other—in ways they never imagined. What lies beneath Maple Bay may be more dangerous than any lost gold.
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
From the bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon comes a gripping true story of shipwreck, survival, and a mutiny that rocked the British Empire. After the HMS Wager wrecked off Patagonia in 1741, survivors returned with conflicting stories—one of heroism, the other of betrayal—leading to a dramatic court martial. David Grann masterfully explores the chaos, courage, and moral collapse that put not only the crew, but the idea of empire itself, on trial.
Drowning by TJ Newman
A commercial jet crashes into the Pacific and sinks with twelve passengers trapped inside, including an engineer and his young daughter. Their only hope lies with a rescue team led by the girl’s mother—and the engineer’s estranged wife—who must race against time and dwindling air to save them. T.J. Newman delivers a pulse-pounding, emotionally charged thriller about survival, sacrifice, and the power of family.
The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook by Hampton Sides
Recounts Captain James Cook’s fateful final voyage—a daring expedition that ended with his death in Hawaii and left a legacy still fiercely debated. Once celebrated for his humane leadership and respect for Indigenous cultures, Cook’s third voyage took a darker turn, revealing the tensions between scientific exploration and imperial conquest. This gripping narrative captures both the thrill of discovery and the devastating consequences of colonial ambition.
Beach Road by James Patterson
Small-town lawyer Tom Dunleavy takes on the case of a friend accused of a shocking triple murder in the Hamptons. Teaming up with his formidable ex-girlfriend, attorney Kate Costello, they dig into a high-stakes trial that exposes dark secrets behind the town’s glamorous facade. What they uncover leads to a jaw-dropping finale in one of James Patterson’s most explosive thrillers.
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
Set in 1665 Jamaica, Pirate Latitudes follows Captain Charles Hunter as he sets out from the lawless, violent port of Port Royal to capture a Spanish treasure galleon stalled in enemy waters. Backed by the governor and driven by the promise of gold, Hunter assembles a ruthless crew for a daring raid on the heavily fortified island of Matanceros. But even after hijacking the galleon, the true danger—and betrayal—has only just begun.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
A fantasy adventure novel about Pi Patel, a young boy from India who survives 227 days at sea after a shipwreck. Stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean, he must rely on his wits and faith to coexist with an unexpected companion—a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The novel explores themes of survival, belief, and the nature of truth.
Save Our Souls by Matthew Pearl
Tells the true story of the Walker family, who were shipwrecked during a storm in 1887 and washed ashore on a remote island, where they encountered a mysterious and solitary man named Hans. At first a helpful guide, Hans slowly reveals a more disturbing side, turning survival into a psychological struggle. Blending historical narrative with suspense, Matthew Pearl explores what isolation reveals about human nature.
Madhouse at the End of the Earth by Julian Sancton
Recounts the harrowing true story of the 1897 Belgica expedition, which became the first to endure an Antarctic winter trapped in ice. As darkness fell and madness set in, the crew—led by a desperate commander and two unlikely heroes, including a young Roald Amundsen—faced isolation, illness, and near-certain death. Blending history and suspense, Sancton crafts a gripping tale of survival and human resilience.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
French oceanographer Pierre Aronnax, his assistant Conseil, and harpooner Ned Land are captured by the enigmatic Captain Nemo aboard the submarine Nautilus after investigating a mysterious sea “monster.” What follows is an extraordinary voyage across the world’s oceans, encountering deep-sea wonders and dangers alike. Jules Verne’s timeless adventure blends science fiction, exploration, and mystery in a classic tale of the unknown beneath the waves.
The Cliffhanger by Emily Freud
In this twisty thriller, power couple and bestselling authors Felix and Emma retreat to the south of France to salvage their marriage and overcome writer’s block after a scandal derails their careers. But under the heat and pressure, fiction and reality blur—and the story they’re writing begins to mirror a dangerous game. What starts as a fresh start quickly spirals into a deadly trap.
The Beach House by James Patterson
When Jack Mullen’s brother Peter is found dead on a Hamptons beach, Jack refuses to believe it was an accident. As he uncovers a web of corruption and privilege shielding the truth, Jack takes justice into his own hands. What follows is a gripping battle against the wealthy elite that tests his courage—and rewrites the rules.
Beach Lawyer by Avery Duff
Just days from making partner, lawyer Robert Worth is fired after exposing a senior partner’s sexual misconduct—losing his career and reputation in an instant. Determined to seek justice, Robert dives into a dark web of lies and power plays, where nothing is as it seems. As he closes in on the truth, he must decide how far he’s willing to go—and what it will cost him.
The Palm Beach Murders by James Patterson
Delivers three fast-paced thrillers set among the ultra-rich, where luxury masks danger. In The Palm Beach Murders, a seemingly perfect romance turns deadly when a couple’s game of make-believe spirals out of control. Nooners follows an ad exec whose charmed life unravels as those around him start dying, while Stingrays features an elite team racing to solve a baffling Caribbean disappearance.
The Last Resort by Sarah Stodola
Explores the evolution of beach resort culture—from its elite origins to its massive influence on today’s global economy—while confronting its environmental and social costs. Blending travel writing with sharp journalism, she examines how resorts impact local communities and ecosystems, and questions their future in the face of rising seas and climate change. As beaches vanish, Stodola asks: what happens when paradise becomes unsustainable?
The Resort by Sarah Ochs
Set on a remote Thai island, this twisty vacation thriller follows Cass, a woman with a hidden past who finds refuge among a group of secretive expats known as the Permanents. But when a dive student turns up dead—and it’s not the first mysterious death—Cass realizes someone knows the truth she’s been hiding. As paradise unravels, survival means remembering the island’s unspoken rules… and breaking them.
And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the World in Ten Cocktails by Wayne Curtis
Traces four centuries of American history through ten rum-based cocktails, revealing how this once-humble spirit shaped culture, politics, and identity. From colonial taverns and pirate ships to tiki bars and modern mixology, Wayne Curtis blends colorful storytelling, sharp wit, and historical insight. Equal parts history and celebration, it’s a spirited tribute to America’s most versatile liquor—complete with classic recipes.
Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay
Five college freshmen mysteriously vanish during a festive campus gathering, leaving their families and the nation in shock. As panic mounts and secrets unravel, the search for “The Five” reveals deep-rooted tensions, hidden pasts, and the possibility that the danger lies closer than anyone imagined. Told through shifting perspectives and featuring FBI Agent Sarah Keller, this gripping thriller explores how family secrets and youthful bonds can turn perilous.
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
A modern classic about Santiago, a young shepherd who sets out in search of a hidden treasure—and discovers a deeper, more meaningful journey of self-discovery. Blending magic and wisdom, the novel explores themes of destiny, intuition, and the power of following one’s dreams. It’s an inspiring tale that has touched millions around the world.
The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett
Recently released ex-con Steven Smith sets out to solve a decades-old mystery tied to a children’s book filled with cryptic annotations. As he searches for answers about his missing teacher and the rumored code hidden in author Edith Twyford’s novels, Steven uncovers a conspiracy far bigger than he imagined. But the closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous the puzzle becomes.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
Retired pirate Amina is drawn back into a world of danger and magic when she’s offered a fortune to rescue a kidnapped girl linked to her past. What begins as a final adventure soon unravels into a perilous quest filled with ancient secrets, sorcery, and high-seas intrigue. As Amina chases glory one last time, she risks far more than she bargained for—including her soul.
The Shipwreck Hunter: A Lifetime of Extraordinary Discoveries on the Ocean Floor by David L. Mearns
Marine geologist David L. Mearns’ gripping memoir of uncovering some of the world’s most legendary shipwrecks. Blending maritime history, science, and high-seas adventure, Mearns recounts the discoveries of vessels like HMS Hood and Vasco da Gama’s lost fleet, revealing both the technical challenges and human stories behind them. It’s a thrilling deep-sea journey through history’s sunken secrets.
Adventures of a Sea Hunter: In search of Famous Shipwrecks by James P. Delgado
Renowned archaeologist James Delgado shares his adventurous career exploring some of the world’s most iconic shipwrecks in this captivating deep-sea memoir. From the Titanic to Pearl Harbor and Bikini Atoll, Delgado combines gripping history, close calls, and unforgettable characters in a thrilling journey beneath the waves. It’s a vivid, firsthand look at the stories—and treasures—hidden in the ocean’s depths.
Nicked by MT Anderson
A wildly imaginative, darkly funny historical adventure inspired by the real-life theft of Saint Nicholas’s bones. Set in 1087 during a plague in Bari, it follows Brother Nicephorus, a gentle monk with saintly visions, and Tyun, a flamboyant relic thief, as they embark on a sacred—and sacrilegious—heist to steal the miracle-working remains. Blending medieval mayhem, queer romance, and sharp satire, it’s a genre-bending tale of faith, ambition, and unexpected love.
Dune by Frank Herbert
A sweeping science fiction epic set on the harsh desert world of Arrakis, the only source of the universe’s most valuable substance: the spice melange. When young Paul Atreides’s noble family is betrayed, he must survive deadly political intrigue, master ancient powers, and fulfill a mysterious destiny as Muad’Dib—a figure who could reshape the fate of the galaxy.
The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston
A gripping true-life adventure blending archaeology, history, and medical mystery. It follows a 2012 expedition deep into the Honduran jungle to locate a legendary lost city, long rumored to be cursed. Using cutting-edge lidar technology, the team uncovers evidence of a vanished civilization—only to return home with a deadly, incurable disease, raising haunting questions about ancient warnings and modern exploration.
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
The true and terrifying story of the whaleship Essex, which was sunk by a massive sperm whale in 1820—an event that inspired Moby-Dick. As the surviving crew embarked on a desperate 3,000-mile journey across the Pacific in small boats, they faced starvation, madness, and death. Blending maritime adventure, cultural history, and human endurance, Philbrick’s narrative vividly brings this epic disaster back to life.
Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship by Robert Kurson
A gripping true story of two deep-sea divers, John Chatterton and John Mattera, who risk everything to find the long-lost ship of 17th-century pirate Joseph Bannister. As they search for the Golden Fleece, their quest leads them across the globe, unraveling historical clues and rivalries in a high-stakes race against time. Blending maritime history, danger, and daring, it’s a fast-paced tale of obsession, exploration, and rediscovery.
The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor
A moving WWII novel inspired by true events, centering on two women whose lives are forever changed by war. Alice, a shy schoolteacher, volunteers to escort children evacuated overseas, while Lily, a London mother, faces the impossible decision to send her children away for their safety. When a Nazi U-boat sinks their ship, leaving a lifeboat adrift in the Atlantic, the courage and resilience of these two women become each other’s best hope for survival.
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