Don't Call it a Beach Read

Chapter #28: Just don't.

Feeling My Shelf is a bi-weekly newsletter about books, life, and well, life with books. Grab your favorite caffeinated beverage and get comfy. First up, some recent reads.

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard

This delightful historical romance follows Lady Ela Dalvi, a wronged outcast who returns to high society with a plan for sweet revenge. Disguised as the enigmatic "Lyra," Ela takes on the glittering world of the ton, determined to reclaim her reputation and first love. It's a tale of intrigue, redemption, and finding one's true self amidst the glamour and gossip of Regency London. It was the perfect book to read while I waited for season three, part two of Bridgerton, to arrive on Netflix. And a side note: the villain in this book is way more annoying than (show) Cressida.

Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter

Imagine growing up in the shadow of your viral influencer sister. That’s Hazel Davis’s reality in Olivia Muenter’s debut book. While Hazel struggles with her stalled career, her younger sister Evie enjoys a multimillion-dollar lifestyle as an online sensation. But when Evie mysteriously disappears during a livestream, Hazel dives into the dark side of social media to uncover the truth. It’s a gripping tale of internet fame, sibling bonds, and the dangers lurking behind the glamorous façade of influencer life. It was a page-turner! There are so many terrible characters and WTF moments. I especially loved the commentary around true crime podcasters. And that ending? It was not what I expected, but it was very satisfying.

Okay, this is super nitpicky, but I hate the term "beach read." I just do. Even writing it makes my eyes roll super hard.

The term's origin is unclear, but according to the Los Angeles Public Library, "beach read" appeared in literary periodicals around 1990. And like clockwork, it inevitably pops up each summer to describe those books you should take on vacation.

I don't know about you, but I take all kinds of books to the beach during the summer: thrillers, literary fiction, and even celeb memoirs. Yet, somehow, the term “beach read” has become synonymous with romance and books written by women. Reduced to nothing more than “a book that requires minimal intellectual stress or heavy lifting; quick and easy reading, light and humorous, with no weighty themes or gritty realism or pressing sociopolitical issues.”

It’s laughable that anyone thinks reading romance will help them curb or avoid stress. Absolutely nothing stresses me out more sometimes than characters in romance books! Especially as they near that dreaded third-act breakup. Whew!

Relegating romance and women's fiction to the "beach read" category suggests these genres aren't as worthy of respect as literary fiction or non-fiction. Nothing more than frothy summer entertainment.

Case in point: "Our book club is literary fiction. It's not beach reads. It's not silly," actress Dakota Johnson, who launched a book club earlier this year, said in an interview with Bustle earlier this year.

So let me get this straight: books that feature compelling plots, strong character development, personal growth, and celebrations of love and friendship are silly? Interesting.

"Beach reads" are often also considered a summer "guilty pleasure." Another term on my hate list. Why should anyone feel guilty about liking something? While well-meaning (I guess), both terms dismiss and devalue certain types of entertainment. They carry unnecessary judgment that we don't need in our lives.

It's 2024—way past time to move past these outdated notions.

Now, if you plan to ignore everything I just wrote and will still be curating a list of “beach reads,” at least consider featuring a variety of genres. I beg of you.

Great books, summer reads or otherwise, simply have witty dialogue, an engaging plot that hooks you from the get-go and keeps you turning pages, great pacing, and relatable characters.

All things you can find in more than just romance novels. Go figure.

In case you missed it, check out the books and adaptations arriving this summer that I’m most excited about:

Chapter #45: Summer Preview

Next on my list is another mystery/thriller, One of Our Kind, by Nicola Yoon. It follows a couple who move to Liberty, California, hoping for a Black utopia, but soon discover a disturbing secret about the community's founders. Then, I'm excited to dive into Just Playing House by Farah Heron, a "delightful rom-com for fans of forced proximity, second chances, and celebrity romance" (out on July 3!)

15 LGBTQ+ books to read for Pride. Queenie reminds us that Black women have a “right to exist messily.” 25 years ago, Hannibal marked the rise of a new kind of blockbuster. What Penelope’s story in Bridgerton teaches us about being friend-zoned. JoJo announces her memoir, Over The Influence. Read your way through New Orleans.

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