All New Haven Free Public Library locations will be closed on Saturday, October 12 and Monday, October 14 in observance of Italian Heritage Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day. All locations will reopen for their normal hours on Tuesday, October 15.

It’s that season when many begin their annual pilgrimage to local (and distant) beaches and attempt to achieve that summer glow!  What better way to entertain yourself while working on that tan than with a new summer beach read?   

Book cover Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

  • A New York Times bestselling book
  • A Reese’s Book Club pick
  • A great pick for someone who
    • wants a realistic romantic comedy
    • likes the idea of a normal girl falling for a famous guy
    • loves SNL and other sketch comedies

Happy Place by Emily Henry

  • A New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author
  • A great pick for someone who
    • enjoys a past and present timeline
    • likes ‘second chance’ tropes
    • prefers witty banter
a hot pink cover with 3 people jumping into a body of water, and two people floating on the water

a woman in a yellow two piece bathing suit and white hat sitting and looking out over the water.

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

  • A New York Times bestselling author
  • A great pick for someone who
    • enjoys books told from multiple perspectives
    • wants a quick read
    • likes a true summer story

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

  • A great pick for someone who
    • likes stories about the power of friendship
    • enjoys books that span a long period of time
    • prefers stories about found families
an image of a modern house overlooking a body of water with multiple people looking out from a balcony.

A partial profile and shoulder of a tanned woman with a red strapless dress and pearls on a black background

Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul

  • A Reese’s Book Club pick
  • A great pick for someone who
    • enjoys multigenerational sagas
    • has an interest in old hollywood
    • enjoyed “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”

Hula by Jasmin ‘Iolani Hakes

  • A debut novel
  • A great pick for someone who
    • wants a story about mothers and daughters
    • is interested in learning more about Hawai’i and it’s recent history
    • likes books with insider vs. outsider tropes
    • wants to read an ‘own voices’ novel
A green woman dancing hula in an off white skirt.  The background is blue with orange clouds

All That is Sacred by Donna Norman-Carbone

  • A debut novel
  • A local author
  • A great pick for someone who
    • likes women’s lit
    • wants a story told from the afterlife
    • wants a book with rich character development

Whether you choose one of these titles or are looking for something a little different, you can always find something great to read at the NHFPL! Search for your perfect summer beach read now! If you need a recommendation, ask at your local branch!