Beach Reads
By Jennifer James Davenport
Winter is finally coming to an end, and I can’t imagine I’m the only one thrilled about that! One major snowstorm is more than enough for me, but this winter delivered a few, leaving snow on the ground for weeks at a time. It’s been so nice to finally see the grass again, the flowers starting to push their way through, and of course, the sun. With all that extra time spent indoors, I had plenty of time to read. Here are some of the best books from the winter that you might have missed.
“Under Water” by Tara Menon
In “Under Water,” Tara Menon tells the story of Marissa, whose life changes dramatically after losing her mother at just 6 years old. Her father, a marine biologist, throws himself into finishing his late wife’s research and brings Marissa with him to Thailand. There, surrounded by coral reefs, dense forests, and endless ocean, Marissa meets Arielle. The two quickly form a deep bond that feels almost magical. During the week they stay at Arielle’s family’s resort, but on weekends they join a small community of researchers on a nearby island. The girls grow up exploring the natural world around them while diving beneath the surface, learning the rhythms of the sea, and becoming as comfortable in the water as the manta rays they watch glide past. Their friendship feels unbreakable, until tragedy strikes and Marissa is left carrying a devastating loss. Years later, Marissa is living in New York, still haunted by the past. As the city faces the threat of another looming disaster, memories of Thailand and Arielle resurface. Over the course of two intense days, Marissa must confront her grief and figure out how to move forward in an uncertain world.
“The Briars” by Sarah Crouch
Looking for a thriller with atmosphere? “The Briars” delivers. Annie Heston heads to the small mountain town of Lake Lumin in the Pacific Northwest, hoping a new job as a game warden will help her leave a troubled relationship behind. The setting is beautiful but isolated and Annie quickly learns that small towns don’t always welcome newcomers. When reports of a cougar begin circulating, Annie tries to warn the community, but most residents keep their distance. One exception is Daniel Barela, a quiet carpenter who lives near the mountain and seems to understand the solitude Annie is searching for. The two form a connection, though Annie senses Daniel may be hiding more than he lets on. Then a young woman’s body is discovered tangled in the briars along Daniel’s property, and the quiet town is thrown into turmoil. Helping the local sheriff investigate, Annie must rely on her instincts and wilderness skills to uncover the truth before the danger lurking in Lake Lumin strikes again.
“Dear Debbie” by Freida McFadden
Debbie Mullen has spent years giving advice to others through her popular column, “Dear Debbie,” to which women write looking for sympathy, support, and a little guidance about their marriages. Debbie has heard it all, stories of husbands who are careless, cruel, or worse, and she’s always tried to offer thoughtful, level-headed advice. But lately, Debbie’s own life is unraveling. She’s lost her job, her teenage daughters are acting strangely, and her husband’s behavior has grown increasingly suspicious, especially when the tracking app on his phone starts revealing things she can’t ignore. For someone who’s always told other women to stand up for themselves, Debbie realizes she may need to take her own advice. As her frustration reaches a breaking point, Debbie decides she’s done being patient and reasonable. Instead, she’s ready to settle a few scores. Darkly funny and full of twists, “Dear Debbie” follows one woman who’s finally had enough and isn’t afraid to do something about it.
“Keeper of Lost Children” by Sadeqa Johnson
In “Keeper of Lost Children,” Sadeqa Johnson weaves together the lives of three people whose stories stretch across continents and decades. The novel begins in post–World War II Germany, where Ethel Gathers, the wife of an American officer, discovers an orphanage filled with children born to German mothers and Black American soldiers. These children have largely been abandoned and overlooked. Determined to help, Ethel sets out to find them homes and give them a chance at a better future. One of the threads follows Ozzie Phillips, a young man from Philadelphia who joins the newly desegregated U.S. Army in 1948. Stationed in Germany, he forms a life-changing relationship with a local woman named Jelka, a connection that will echo far beyond their time together. Years later in Maryland, a teenage girl named Sophia Clark is sent to a prestigious all-white boarding school. While there, she uncovers a shocking secret about her past, setting her on a journey to understand where she truly belongs. Moving between these three perspectives, Johnson explores identity, belonging, and the lasting power of compassion.
“The Astral Library” by Kate Quinn
For Alix Watson, books have always been more dependable than people. After a difficult childhood in foster care, she’s scraping by in Boston, juggling multiple jobs and spending her evenings tucked inside the Boston Public Library. The grand reading room becomes her refuge, a place where she can disappear into stories and imagine a different kind of life. One night, that escape becomes far more literal. Alix discovers a hidden door that leads to the Astral Library, a mysterious place overseen by the enigmatic Librarian. Here, people who feel lost or desperate can step into the pages of beloved books and begin again. Alix is quickly drawn into this extraordinary world, but the magic comes with danger. A powerful enemy threatens the library and everyone it has ever protected. With the Librarian at her side, and a few unexpected allies, Alix races through the worlds of classic literature, from Jane Austen’s drawing rooms to the streets of Sherlock Holmes and the glittering parties of “The Great Gatsby.”
“The First Time I Saw Him” by Laura Dave
Laura Dave returns to the story that captivated readers in “The Last Thing He Told Me” with this highly anticipated follow-up. Five years after Owen Michaels vanished, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, now 21, have built a quieter life in Southern California. Their bond has grown stronger, and with the support of Bailey’s grandfather, Nicholas, they’ve slowly begun to move beyond the chaos that once defined their lives. But the past has a way of resurfacing. When Owen suddenly reappears at one of Hannah’s exhibitions, it quickly becomes clear that his return brings danger with it. Once again, Hannah and Bailey are forced to run, determined to stay one step ahead of the threats that continue to follow them. As the tension builds, Hannah must make impossible choices to protect the family she’s fought so hard to hold together.
