10 beach reads to dive into before the summer ends

Words: Gladys Lai Producer: Bianca Farmakis in partnership with

The art of the beach read is a considered one. First of all, you have to be practical: You don’t want to be lugging a Tolstoy-penned brick around in your bag, or holding it up when you sunbathe. Any perceived social capital is not worth the pain.

Then, there’s the content. Contemplative is good, but save the philosophical for your armchair. There’s something about the sun and the sound of the ocean that makes a true crime or a comedic memoir that much more enjoyable.

To help, we present 10 beach-reads you should dive into before summer ends.

The Great Mistake

The life and death of American architect Andrew Haswell Green takes centre stage in this novel, charting everything from the riotous world of late 19th century New York to Lee's murder.

Invisible Cities

An imaginary conversation between Marco Polo and Kubla Khan frames this novel, with Polo describing the miraculous, otherworldly cities he's visited. Gorgeously written, this is one to peruse if you're looking for escape.

The Comfort

Skip chapters at your leisure, re-read your favourite extracts— this little book of wonders is a reflection on how to treasure life as it is, and how to hope, even when it seems impossible. Even when the summer sun disappears, this will give you warmth.

The Other Black Girl

Described as the love child of Get Out and The Devil Wears Prada , this is a thrilling debut from Zakiya Dalila Harris. Far from the dramedy you might be expecting, The Other Black Gir l is equal parts horror and mystery.

Filthy Animals

A psychological portrait of young adults in the US Midwest, this much-acclaimed novel from Brandon Taylor examines the struggle, melancholy and frailty of being alive. It's hefty in narrative, but you can take it at your own pace.

Second Place

A middle-aged woman invites a painter to stay with her in Rachel Cusks's Second Place , hoping that he'll use her as a subject for his art. What ensues is menacing, thoughtful, and totally intriguing.

Klara and the Sun

Dystopian expert Kazuo Ishiguro does it again with an emotional study of what it means to love. Klara, an android designed to be an 'Artificial Friend', is chosen by Josie, a young woman with an illness. Expect to shed tears.

Project Hail Mary

The author of The Martian comes at us with another novel of extraterrestrial proportions. Project Hail Mary made its way onto Barack Obama's summer reading list and begins with an astronaut waking up from a coma with amnesia.

The Secret History

This 1992 novel sees a clique of private school students collude in the covering up of another student’s death. Take this baby with you to the beach and you’ll be reading until sundown. Un-put-down-able, to say the least.

Dune

If you haven’t already fallen in love with this science fiction epic, we suggest acquainting yourself with some good old Arakis lore before you watch the Timothée Chalamet-headlining film adaptation. Apologies if this breaks the cardinal rule of ‘no big reads at the beach’.

Sun, sand and spines. in partnership with Read more on GQ

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10 beach reads to dive into before the summer ends

To help, we present 10 beach-reads you should dive into before summer ends.

The Great Mistake

Jonathan Lee

Invisible Cities

Italo Calvino

The Comfort

Matt Haig

The Other Black Girl

Zakiya Dalila Harris

Filthy Animals

Brandon Taylor

Second Place

Rachel Cusk

Klara and the Sun

Kazuo Ishiguro

Project Hail Mary

Andy Weir

The Secret History

Donna Tartt

Dune

Frank Herbert