Our summer Beach Read recommendations may seem a little offbeat, but hey, there are all kinds of beach readers!
We at Schuler Books wanted to feature books that might not be getting all the hype, but are definitely worth a read this summer.
Please note that several of these books are not yet on the shelves. You may preorder them at schulerbooks.com for pick up in store, or delivery to wherever you are – beach, cabin, resort, or airbnb!
Midwest nostalgic: Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper ClubÂ
If you find yourself nostalgic for a cocktail and relish tray at a midwest supper club on a summer night, this sweet lovely read is for you. Discover the characters that surround the Lakeside Supper Club from its origin and shepherd it through the generations. A little heartbreaking, but ultimately life affirming and hopeful. Out now.
Thriller: You Shouldn’t Have Come Here Â
If you don’t follow Jeneva Rose on TikTok, drop everything and do it now! Then pick up this thriller that will have you seriously questioning your next Airbnb visit. A remote ranch, handsome owner, lack of cell phone service, and a missing woman… what could go wrong? Out now.
Contemporary romance: Super Bloom
Recline back under your beach umbrella with an icy drink and pretend you’re at a Vermont spa while you enjoy this uplifting book within a book that looks at taking second chances in life and love. Out now.
Ticks all the boxes: YellowfaceÂ
Readers love a book about a book. It’s just a fact. You get that here, plus elements of a psychological thriller with a side of satire. White lies, dark humor, deadly consequences, compulsively readable; this book really has it all! Out now.
Historical fiction: The Postcard
Dig into this sweeping yet intimate work of auto-fiction about memory, family, history, intergenerational trauma and the continuing impact of the Holocaust that’s getting rave reviews and is already a bestseller in France. Out now.
Adventure: Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea
A historical epic adventure featuring a fierce, ruthless pirate queen, interspersed with rich Chinese folklore? Yes please! Based on a real life person, this tale, told in beautiful prose, is the story of one woman’s path to survive against all odds. Out now.
Fantasy: The First Bright ThingÂ
Skip the carnival and read about the circus! History, fantasy, and a magical circus collide in this dark, yet hopeful book set between the two world wars, where people who are outcast, who are different, the sparks, are welcomed as family and valued for their unique gifts. Out June 13.
Generational saga: Banyan Moon
Long held secrets of three generations of Vietnamese/American women ultimately play out in the sultry Florida heat in a mysterious house in the shade of an ancient Banyan tree. The perfect read for the hottest days of summer. Out June 27.
Horror: The Militia HouseÂ
Not at all the war novel you’re expecting. If you’re looking for a creepy read, this book gives a visceral feel for what real deployment must feel like: the boredom, the nonsensical administrative quagmires, the toll it takes mentally and physically, and the resulting PTSD. The horror seems imagined, but it is very real. Out June 11.
Literary fiction: Shark Heart: A Love Story
This won’t just be the best book you read this summer, it may be the best book you read all year. The fascinating premise – some people genetically mutate into wild animal species – is told through stunning poetic prose. Wholly original, heartbreaking yet hopeful, it explores how one woman meets loss with love. Shark Heart will have your whole heart. Out 8/8.
