Best Summer Vacation Reads of 2021
Any summer beach trip would be incomplete without some beach towels, swimsuits, sunscreens, and of course, a “beach read.” From family comedies and memoirs to historical fiction and LGBTQ+ books, here are some of our favorite summer reads that are out now or will be released in the coming months.
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland
Comedic Drama
A family reunion brings two families together for the summer at the Golden Hotel in the Catskills. As they try to decide on whether to sell or overhaul the Golden Hotel, long-buried secrets surface, and new dramas and financial scandals erupt. This hilarious story is non-stop fun from beginning to end and a perfect book to read while staying at a resort yourself.
A Theater for Dreamers by Polly Samson
Literary Fiction
Travel back to the 1960s and immerse yourself in the Greek island of Hydra, once a mecca of poets, painters, and musicians, and artists. The novel follows the story of Erica as she stumbles into this world where her art, relationships, and her innocence are tested.
Summer on the Bluffs by Sunny Hostin
Women’s Fiction
Written by Emmy Award winner, lawyer, journalist, and The View co-host Sunny Hostin, the novel follows the story of Ama, owner of Chateau Laveau cottage, and her three goddaughters as they reconnect for the summer at Oak Bluffs. But when Ama announces she’s moving and the house is up for grabs, old ties begin to fray as the three women confront new and old secrets.
The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe
Teen & Young Adult
This novel tells the story of a young girl who ends up in a hostage situation alongside her now ex-boyfriend and current girlfriend. Talk about awkward!
The book is in the process of being turned into a Netflix original movie starring Millie Bobby Brown.
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Set against the backdrop of Harlem, the debut novel of Zakiya Dalila Harris is a string of uncomfortable and tense events which unfold when two young Black women meet at work. This smart thriller and its social commentary will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
The President’s Daughter by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
After the success of their first collaboration, The President Is Missing, Bill Clinton and James Patterson have joined forces for a second novel. The book tells the story of Matthew Keating, a past president, whose teenage daughter is abducted by a madman, turning every parent’s deepest fear into a matter of national security.
Falling by TJ Newman
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
With non-stop suspense, this book is the perfect summer thriller. 143 passengers board a plane from Los Angeles to New York City. But just minutes after takeoff, the pilot receives a distressing call that his wife and kids are being held at gunpoint at home, and he must crash the plane, or his family will be killed.
The Son of Mr. Suleman by Eric Jerome Dickey
Contemporary Romance
This is the final novel written by Eric Jerome Dickey who passed away in January, leaving behind a legacy of novels depicting romance and suspense from the Black perspective. His final novel follows an emotional and intense budding romance between a professor from Memphis and an entrepreneur from London.
House of Sticks by Ly Tran
Memoir & Autobiography
In this intimate, coming-of-age memoir, author Ly Tran recounts her journey from war-torn Vietnam to Ridgewood, Queens. We read her struggle to find her voice and navigate clashing cultural expectations.
Mercury Rising: John Glenn, John Kennedy, and the New Battleground of the Cold War by Jeff Shesol
Non-Fiction & History
The perfect book for history buffs, Mercury Rising re-creates the tension and excitement of the Friendship 7 flight that shifted the momentum of the space race and put America on the path to the moon.
Book Your Summer Vacation at the Delamar
When it comes to sun-filled days, Connecticut has countless sandy beaches, lush forests and small beach towns brimming with that New England charm. The beaches that line the Long Island Sound are accessible within a few minutes of our Southport and Greenwich Delamar locations. Delamar West Hartford is the perfect home base from which to discover many of Connecticut’s lakes and waterways. Once you’re done exploring and venturing, come back to one of our Delamar locations to enjoy the ultimate level of excellence and luxury in hospitality.
Our newest location in Michigan, Delamar Traverse City, is a full-service upscale resort with exquisite views of Grand Traverse Bay. This waterfront resort offers private watersport rentals, boat charters and cruise excursions, as well as Artisan, our fine dining restaurant. Grab a good book and we’ll meet you by the water!