10 best beach reads for summer 2021, according to Goodreads
Among the most anticipated books coming out this summer is debut novel “The Reading List” and memoir “Somebody’s Daughter.”
Ashley C. Ford’s debut memoir follows her growing up in a complicated relationship with her mother and father who’s incarcerated — and she doesn’t know the details of his imprisonment. Ford tries to find love elsewhere throughout her adolescence — including with a boyfriend who her mother disapproves of. After he assaults her when the relationship ends, she finally finds out why her father is in prison.
This debut novel follows 26-year-old Nella Rogers, who is the only Black employee at publishing house Wagner Books. Isolated, Nella befriends Hazel, a new employee who is also Black and starts sitting next right to her desk. As the two are only beginning to bond, “a string of uncomfortable events” led to Hazel becoming a favorite at the office, while Nella is left behind. Then, Nella starts finding mysterious messages left at her desk — and becomes obsessed with finding out what’s (and who’s) behind them.
This book comes from the author of bestsellers “Daisy Jones & The Six” and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” Taking place back in 1983, the story follows the Rivas family over the course of one night, at sister Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party. Siblings Nina, Jay, Hud and Kit are well-known throughout Malibu, especially as the children of famous singer Mick Riva. But at the party, each sibling is facing drama of their own — including Nina’s tennis pro husband leaving her and Kit inviting an unexpected guest. And in the morning, the Riva mansion will end up in flames.
From the author of bestseller “The Silent Patient,” “The Maidens” is a murder mystery focused on therapist Mariana Andros who becomes fixated on a secret society of women at Cambridge University (the titular maidens) when one member is found murdered. Mariana suspects that Greek tragedy professor Edward Fosca — who is a favorite of students at the school, especially by The Maidens — is the murderer. But soon, Mariana’s quest becomes an outright obsession that starts spiraling out of control.
This novel is the latest launch from the author, who has already published five thrillers including bestseller “Final Girls.” Set in November 1991, it’s centered around college student Charlie Jordan who finds herself on a drive home to Ohio with a virtual stranger, Josh Baxter, after meeting at a campus ride board. Charlie is looking for an escape after the murder of her best friend, a victim of a murderer dubbed “The Campus Killer.” On the ride, Charlie starts to distrust Josh, wondering if he’s actually the killer haunting the college.
This novel follows Ike Randolph, who has been out of jail for 15 years and hasn’t had as much as a speeding ticket since being incarcerated. Ike finds out that his estranged son Isiah has been murdered along with white husband, Derek. To seek revenge for murder, Ike unexpectedly teams up with Derek’s father, Buddy Lee, who also has a criminal past his son was ashamed about.
“We Are the Brennans” follows 29-year-old Sunday Brennan who, after causing a drunk driving accident, returns home to New York. Sunday packed up and left her family and high school sweetheart five years ago with almost no explanation. Trying to rebuild her life, a man from Sunday’s past resurfaces, threatening her family’s pub business in the process, and she starts to find out more about the secrets her family have been keeping for generations.
This debut is centered around two strangers who form a friendship through a list of library books. Mukesh, a widower, is worried about his granddaughter who spends her days reading alone in her room. Anxious teenager Aleisha is working at her local library through the summer when she finds a list of books to read (books she’s never heard of) in the back of a copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which she decides to read one by one. When Mukesh shows up at the library looking to connect with his granddaughter through books, Aleisha gives him the list, which has been helping her get through her painful home life. As the story unfolds, “two lonely souls” start to bond over the books.
This nonfiction option comes from San Francisco Chronicle reporter Lizzie Johnson. Johnson was there when the town of Paradise went up in flames — the wildfire, called Camp Fire, would become known as the deadliest in California’s history. The book gives an account of what happened, including information based on public records and phone calls, and how residents tried to stop the fire as it engulfed the town.
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