From bookseller favorites to reader recommendations and Boston.com staff picks, these 10 summer books pair perfectly with a New England beach day.
By Annie Jonas
Less than a minute to read
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From moving literary fiction to page-turning thrillers and heartfelt romances, there’s no shortage of books to pack for a summer getaway in New England.
And with the region offering everything from Maine’s rocky coastline to the sandy shores of Cape Cod, there’s also a beach for every kind of reader.
To help build your summer reading list, we asked readers and independent booksellers across New England to recommend their favorite beach read for summer 2026 — along with the perfect reading spot to enjoy them.
Below are 10 summer reading picks recommended by booksellers, readers, and Boston.com staff — perfect to pack for your next beach escape.
Annie Jonas
Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
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