![cropped cover of That Summer Feeling](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/sapphic-summer-romance.png)
Queer Beach Reads for Every Kind of Seaside Reader
This week, I’m finally heading to the beach for the first time this summer. This is a little embarrassing because I live on an island: there are beaches in every direction. I’m so looking forward to doing some reading there, and naturally, I’ll be packing queer books in my beach bag. There are a lot of opinions about what a beach read is, but for the purposes of this list, I’m going very literal: these are all queer books that are set at least partially at the beach or on the ocean. For a less literal approach, check out 15 of the Best LGBTQ Beach Reads of 2024.
Queer Beach Reads
![Cover of That Summer Feeling by Bridget Morrissey](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/that-summer-feeling-e1680057743756.jpg.optimal.jpg)
That Summer Feeling by Bridget Morrissey
This one gets bonus points for having swimming on the cover. It takes place at a sleepaway summer camp for adults — complete with a lake to swim in. Garland is still processing her divorce when she pulls up to Camp Carl Cove, but she thinks the universe is giving her signs she’s supposed to be with another camper, Mason. So why does she keep feeling drawn to Mason’s sister, Stevie? This is a beach read in all senses of the word: light, fun, and just a little bit ridiculous.
![Nearlywed cover](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Nearlywed-cover.jpeg.optimal.jpeg)
Nearlywed by Nicolas DiDomizio
Ray Bruno and Kip Hayes are engaged, and they’re taking an early honeymoon before the wedding, staying at a luxury resort in Ray’s coastal New England hometown (which we can see on the beachy cover). Ray and Kip are very different, but they always make it work. When they bump into another couple at the resort, though, misunderstandings begin to pile up, and soon this getaway is less a vacation and more of a test of whether they should be getting married at all.
![The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye cover](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-ballad-of-jacquotte-delahaye-9781668051023_xlg.jpg.optimal.jpg)
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron
One other take on the ocean-centric book is a pirate story! Jacquotte is a biracial shipwright trying to make a name for herself in the Dominican Republic in the 1600s. The first day she sets sail, though, she’s boarded by the pirate Blackhand, and she and her entire crew — including her love interest, Theresa — become indentured servants. Blackhand keeps making them attempt dangerous jobs, like stealing Portuguese jewels, that put their lives at risk. To save themselves and the rest of the captured crew, Jacquotte and Theresa plot a risky scheme to overthrow Blackhand and take his place.
![A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell Book Cover](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/A-Shore-Thing-by-Joanna-Lowell-Book-Cover.jpg.optimal.jpg)
A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell
For a trans, historical beach read, pick up A Shore Thing. Double bonus points for the beachy cover and title. This takes place on the seaside of Cornwall, where Kit is starting a new life after leaving behind his old identity as a painter in the Sisterhood of women artists. Muriel is a botanist trying to commission Kit for seaweed illustrations. Kit reluctantly agrees, but only if the two of them prove to the local all-male cycling club that they should start allowing women in. As they cycle together, they begin to fall for each other.
![cover of How Far the Light Reaches](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/how-far-the-light-reaches.jpg.optimal.jpg)
How Far the Light Reaches by Sabrina Imbler
If you’re not in the mood for romance, general fiction, or adventure, might I interest you in a nonfiction book about sea creatures? This is one of my favorite books, because Sabrina Imbler masterfully interweaves fascinating facts about sea creatures with stories from their own life — including being a queer, nonbinary, racialized person in a field that can be hostile to anyone other than straight cis white guys.
All the Links Fit to Click
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- How Gay Are the Books These Queer Shows Are Based On?
- Which of These Books Are Better Than the Lesbian Movies Based on Them?
- Which Queer Midwest Writer To Read Based on Your Favorite Chappell Roan Song
- 7 Books Reimagining Queer Histories
- 24 Recent LGBTQ-Inclusive Kids’ Books With Sports Themes
- A Rivals to Lovers Soccer Romance: a Lesbrary review of You Don’t Have a Shot by Racquel Marie
- A Debut with Staying Power: Please Stop Trying to Leave Me by Alana Saab
- Breaking Away from Religious Abuse: Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus
Etsy Item of the Day
![a stack of beach towels with a rainbow stripe](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/pride-towels.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Pride Towel by WeddingAndPartyTowel
These pride towels would be perfect for stretching out on with a queer beach read. They’re available in a variety of colors, and you can also have them custom embroidered. $30+
What’s your favorite genre to read at the beach? Let’s chat in the comments!
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