While books are not inherently gendered, the beach-read genre tends to be dominated by romantic comedies and smutty love affairs. No, there’s no shelf called “summer reads for guys” at the bookstore, but that doesn’t mean the genre doesn’t exist.
The way I see it, the best beach reads contain the following things: They’re plot-driven and easy to read; you don’t want to put it down, but when you do, you can pick up exactly where you left off; and, perhaps most importantly, the world is all-consuming and different from your own. The books on this list are precisely that. There are short-story collections, engrossing fiction, and decidedly not-boring memoirs that will keep you entertained for the rest of the summer. Plus, they’re all titles you won’t be embarrassed to pull out of your beach bag—because, let’s face it, although you shouldn’t judge a book (or a reader) by its cover, we all do.
Read all these? Try the 50 books every guy should read before he’s 50.
For Restaurant Lovers: ‘Kitchen Confidential,’ Anthony Bourdain
More than 20 years after it was published, Kitchen Confidential by the late Anthony Bourdain is still as captivating (and sometimes nauseating) as ever. Bourdain is an outstanding writer and uses that same raw, funny, occasionally over-the-top voice that you may love from his TV shows. He combines that with a sharp eye, which takes you into parts of the kitchen you’ve never been to before. I guarantee you’ll be reading passages to your fellow beach-goers, and, unfortunately, you’ll never look at restaurant specials the same.
Buy: $10.49
For ‘American Psycho’ Fans: ‘The Shards,’ Brett Easton Ellis
From the author of cult-favorite American Psycho, Brett Easton Ellis’s newest book, The Shards, is also about a killer. While it’s familiar territory for Ellis, this time, the story centers around a group of high schoolers and a serial killer tormenting 1980s LA. Like American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman, The Shards is full of handsome and rich characters, as well as bloody yet thrilling moments tackling ideas of friendship, coming of age, and trust issues. It’s technically a novel, but the term “autofiction” was coined for books like this.
Buy: $28.85
For a Book That Makes You Smarter: ‘Working,’ Robert Caro
This year, everyone I know was obsessed with Robert Caro’s legendary The Power Broker, the biography of Robert Moses, the man who shaped modern New York City. Very few of us have the attention span for a 1,300-plus page biography, though. But Working, Caro’s much shorter book about his own writing and research process, is one of my all-time favorites. It’s fascinating to read this near-mad genius discuss his process of interviewing sources, gathering material, and genuinely leaving no page unturned. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel smarter.
Buy: $14.99
For Aspiring Novelists: ‘Yellowface,’ R. F. Kuang
Yellowface has all the makings of a classic beach read: It’s buzzy, gossipy, and full of internet drama. The gist is that a white woman steals a manuscript from a dead Asian woman and publishes it, passing it off as her own. This one is especially good for anyone who has ever tried, wanted to, or has written a book because it’s all about the ridiculousness and double standards of the publishing industry. It’s fun and at times incredibly irritating, but that’s the point.
Buy: $15.81
For Anyone Who Loves Thrillers: ‘Plum Island,’ Nelson Demille
If you’re spending time in the Hamptons, this one's for you. It’s about an off-duty cop recovering from an injury on Long Island when a young couple he knows is murdered. That couple happens to be scientists at the elusive, top-secret research center at the tip of Long Island, Plum Island. This sends the protagonist searching to understand what really happened to this couple. It’s got boat chases and wry humor, and it’s really good for anyone who’s ever wondered what the heck is happening on Plum Island.
Buy: $6.44
For Screen Lovers: ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley,’ Patricia Highsmith
Did you binge the Netflix version? Well, then you might as well give the first book in Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley series a try. It’s a somewhat unsettling book about a young Tom Ripley who arrives in New York City and befriends a wealthy playboy, Dickie Greenleaf. He then becomes completely and overly obsessed with Dickie’s life, including the woman he’s with. From there, as you might know, things get dark.
Buy: $15.24
For Short Reads: ‘Homesick for Another World,’ Ottessa Moshfegh
Short stories were practically made for the beach—read one, jump in the water, read another, get a popsicle, you get it. Moshfegh is known for her strange and straight-up weird work, but it’s also captivating in an unimaginable way. The characters and scenarios she takes you into are completely out of the realm of the ordinary. Never in your wildest dreams could you think some of these things up. That’s what makes it the ultimate “escapism.”
Buy: $19.80
‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,’ Gabrielle Zevin
If you weren’t reading Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow last summer, I’m not sure what you were doing, but don’t worry, it’s not too late to get involved in what many remarked as their favorite book last year. This novel is about friends, ambition, love, family, and video games. But, the characters and storyline suck you in even if you don’t care about gaming worlds. Be warned, unlike most beach reads, this one might make you cry.
Buy: $14.24
For Surfers: ‘Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life,’ William Finnegan
What better place to read about surfing than the beach? In this memoir, Finnegan takes the reader through the adventures of growing up as a surfer, chasing wives all over the world. He spends time in the South Pacific, off the shores of San Francisco, and everywhere in between. It’s full of classic 1960s moments, like gangs and dropping acid. Finnegan won the Pulitzer for this work, and it’s a truly one-of-a-kind look at the world of surfing.
Buy: $11.61
