When you go to the beach in the summer, your beach bag always contains the essentials. Sunscreen and sunglasses for protection from the sun, a cute swimsuit to lie in the surf and look stylish, and a good book. There's nothing better than relaxing in the sun and flipping through the pages.

You can bring as many books as you want on vacation, but "beach reads" often refer to novels that you can lose yourself in while soaking up the sun. Generally speaking, an engrossing thriller novel or a lighthearted romance novel are the best reads. This summer, too, there are plenty of options that fit the bill, including the best books of the year, heartwarming romance novels, and, as always, series worth getting into and contemporary genre classics you may have missed. Below are the best books to read on the beach in the summer of 2024 that are worth picking up, whether you're going on vacation or hitting the beach or pool.