There’s something timelessly appealing about a beach read. It doesn’t matter whether you are stretched out on a lounger in Mauritius, dipping your toes into a tidal pool in Hermanus or stealing ten quiet minutes while the kids build sandcastles on Clifton Beach - a good book becomes its own escape. A good beach read is not fluff; it is pleasure with purpose: stories that breathe, nonfiction that expands you and timeless favourites that remind both teens and tweens why reading remains one of life’s great joys.
Whether you love the feel of paper or the ease of reading on a device, this curated guide blends the buzziest new releases with beloved classics - and doubles as a thoughtful gifting companion, with selections that cut across every interest group. From fiction and non-fiction to standout reads for teens and tweens, this list helps you choose for yourself and for the readers you love. So open your beach bag, settle into the shade, and explore a world of stories waiting to be devoured under the summer sun.
FICTION: Stories to Sink Straight Into
If your perfect summer ritual involves losing yourself in a spectacular plot, these fiction picks deliver atmosphere, intrigue and delight.
A sharp, wickedly clever novella where nothing is what it seems. Perfect for readers who enjoy psychological games wrapped in irresistible dark humour, from the author of Gone Girl.
Charlie Mackesy - Always Remember
Mackesy returns with another gentle, luminous tale exploring kindness, memory and connection. It’s the kind of book you read slowly - and then gift generously.
Dan Brown - The Secret of Secrets
Robert Langdon finds himself in Prague chasing a missing manuscript and a spiralling conspiracy. It’s classic Dan Brown: fast, propulsive and wonderfully escapist.
Oyinkan Braithwaite - Cursed Daughters
Braithwaite blends dark comedy and razor-sharp social observation in a story about sisters, secrets and the emotional debt of family. A smart, addictive holiday read.
Lee Child - Jack Reacher: Exit Strategy
A trademark Reacher thriller: brutal efficiency, clipped dialogue and a mystery that unravels with satisfying precision. Perfect for readers who want pace, grit and action.
South Africa’s master of suspense delivers another taut, propulsive crime novel with landscape as vivid as the characters themselves. Meyer remains peerless in atmospheric tension.
Lucinda Riley - The Hidden Girl
Riley’s signature blend of historical mystery and emotional depth continues in this evocative tale of family legacies and long-buried truths. Gorgeous, sweeping and immersive.
Robert Galbraith - The Hallmarked Man
Strike and Robin return to unravel a chilling case steeped in deception and danger. Galbraith offers a complex, satisfying mystery perfect for long holiday afternoons.
John Grisham - The WidowA small-town lawyer must clear his name in a murder case wrapped in twists and small-town politics. Grisham remains in peak form - polished, compelling, impossible to abandon.
Nicholas Sparks & M. Night Shyamalan - Remain
A collaboration blending Sparks’s emotional romance with Shyamalan’s eerie, cinematic tension. A tender, unsettling page-turner about love, fate and the uncanny.
Terry McMillan - It Was the Way She Said It
McMillan’s irresistible voice brings humour, heartbreak and hard-won wisdom to the tale of a woman reinventing her life. Warm, witty and deeply human.
NON-FICTION: Holiday Reads That Stay With You
Whether you savour memoirs, motivation or masterful storytelling from real life, these nonfiction picks will keep your mind engaged even as your body is in full holiday mode.
An intimate look at one of South Africa’s rugby giants, exploring discipline, drive and the making of a champion. A bold, honest memoir for sports lovers and self-improvers alike.
Morgan Housel - The Art of Spending Money
Housel unpacks the psychology of money in a way that is accessible, wise and refreshingly human. Perfect for readers looking to rethink their relationship with wealth.
Melinda Ferguson & Steve Anderson - Lessons From My Father
A moving, reflective journey into the legacies our parents leave us - for better and worse. Honest, tender and beautifully crafted.
Brown explores resilience, vulnerability and the profound importance of showing up as your whole self. A powerful companion for anyone navigating change.
A visual feast filled with timeless hosting principles, clever ideas and Stewart’s signature elegance. Ideal for beach-holiday dreamers who seek to host with calm authenticity.
Mark Manson - The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
A refreshing, irreverent guide to choosing what actually matters. Still as punchy, liberating and insightful as when it first exploded onto bestseller lists.
Gérard Labuschagne - The Profiler Diaries
South Africa’s leading criminal profiler reveals the stories behind his most intriguing cases. Fascinating, chilling and utterly absorbing.
A vivid, gripping retelling of the lead-up to the 1929 crash, filled with human stories and economic insight. Essential for readers who love history told through character.
Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson - Abundance
A big-picture exploration of possibility, innovation and the future of human potential. Inspiring, visionary and ideal for readers ready to think expansively.
TEENS: Big Feelings, Big Adventures
Teen readers are some of the most passionate readers in the world - and the books below reward that energy with gripping storytelling and unforgettable characters.
Suzanne Collins - Sunrise on the Reaping
A powerful new prequel revisiting the world of The Hunger Games, exploring themes of power, justice and rebellion. Essential for fans of dystopian thrillers.
Holly Jackson - A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Smart, twisty and layered, this modern teen classic follows a determined young investigator as a school project becomes something far darker. It’s sharp, addictive and brilliantly crafted.
Jenny Han - The Summer I Turned Pretty
A romantic coming-of-age story that captures the chaos and sweetness of adolescence. Jenny Han’s warm, sun-soaked writing makes it perfect for an actual beach.
Hilarious, heartfelt and deeply South African, Spud remains a beloved favourite. Perfect for teens who enjoy voice-driven humour and boarding-school mischief.
Sally-Ann Partridge - Sharp Edges
A gritty, emotional exploration of friendship and trauma. Beautifully written and a standout of South African young adult fiction.
LaDarrion Williams - Blood at the Root
A riveting modern fantasy tackling identity, power and belonging. Fresh, socially aware and deeply engaging.
Lauren Ho - Bite Me, Royce Taslim
Ho’s trademark humour meets sharp insight in this witty, contemporary young adult novel. Fun, fast-paced and thoroughly charming.
James Dashner - The Maze Runner / Divergent Series: Complete Collection Boxed Set (5-Book)
Action-packed, fast-moving and ideal binge-reading for the die-hard Maze Runner fan on holiday.
TWEENS: Light, Funny, Imaginative
Tween readers thrive on humour, heart and worlds that spark imagination. These titles are ideal for turning holiday quiet time into something magical.
Jeff Kinney - Diary of a Wimpy Kid - No Brainer (latest release)
Jeff Kinney’s iconic series continues with laugh-out-loud school antics and pitch-perfect observations. No Brainer, the 18th book of the series, hooks reluctant readers and delights enthusiastic ones.
Rachel Renée Russell - Dork Diaries - Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
Bright, funny and diary-style, this series remains a tween favourite. This book is a charming, laugh-filled reminder on true belonging and authenticity - making it a wonderfully reassuring and uplifting holiday read.
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
A timeless modern classic that continues to enchant new generations. Perfect holiday escapism filled with wonder and adventure.
Norton Juster - The Phantom Tollbooth
A whimsical classic where imagination rules and words become playthings. Perfect for clever kids who love puzzles and adventure.
Rebecca Stead - When You Reach Me
A mysterious, tender story blending time travel, friendship and growing up. A Newbery Medal winner, quietly brilliant and deeply memorable.
Louis Sachar - Holes
A modern classic about family curses, buried secrets and a boy sent to a desert camp. Sharp, funny and unexpectedly profound.
Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Riordan blends mythology, adventure and humour in a story beloved by readers of all ages. A perfect entry point to Riordan’s entire mythological universe.
Anna Rose Johnson - The Blossoming Summer (2025)
A new release exploring change, identity and the bittersweetness of growing up. Gentle and perfect for reflective readers.
Nicole M. Hewitt - The Song of Orphan’s Garden (2025)
A lyrical, imaginative novel about courage and belonging. Destined to be one of 2025’s standout middle-grade releases.
Beach Reads 2025 - Quick Access Table
Fiction | Non-fiction | Teens | Tweens |
Rachel Renée Russell - Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So- Fab Life (Full Colour) | |||
James Dashner - The Maze Runner / Divergent Series: Complete Collection Boxed Set (5-Book) | |||
Disclaimer: This guide is intended for inspiration only. Book availability, editions and release dates may differ across retailers and regions.
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