When I close my eyes and think of summer, I smell sunscreen and chlorine, feel the too-hot sidewalk under my bare feet, see the galaxy of fireflies dancing in the yard. As someone who grew up in Northeast Ohio with a bevy of siblings, family vacations were scarce, and my annual summer escape usually came in the form of curling up under the lilac tree in our yard with a good book.

Though my taste has evolved since those carefree days of The Babysitter’s Club, Judy Blume novels and highly competitive summer reading challenges at my local library, the goal of becoming immersed in as many worlds as possible during the summer months has stayed consistent. Even if your summer plans don’t include jetting off to a beachside oasis with bottomless piña coladas (I know what you’re thinking— in this economy?) that doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve a seasonal escape with the right materials (and the free Libby app).

That being said, what kind of books make for the perfect summer reading list? The term “beach reads” encompasses accessible, captivating reads that anyone can enjoy.

The Anywhere But Here

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” – Anna Quindlen

Books are an incredible (and generally more affordable) way to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Whether you’re looking to take a road trip through the living history of Black resistance in America with Driving the Green Book by Alvin Hall or want to leave this universe altogether with an adventure-filled fantasy like Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, Libby has you covered.

The Low Stakes Race

Has the world outside gotten to be too much? If you’re tired of living through unprecedented times, a wholesome story like Rhythm & Muse by India Hill Brown might be just what you need. Featuring a blessedly supportive cast of characters and the humor and joy found in first loves, this story is one of normalcy and growth, which I personally could use more of.

If high-school romances have your stomach in nostalgic knots and aren’t quite as relaxing as you’d like, then you should try The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela M. Kelley, a heartwarming story about friendship and family set in a quaint seaside town on Cape Cod. If that does sound stressful to you, you might want to skip this next section.

The Provocateur

These books defy the light and fluffy beach read stereotype. While Yellowface by R. F. Kuang brings into question whether anyone is truly as they seem, Identity by Nora Roberts makes us wonder if being ourselves is really worth the terror that could ensue.

Identity crisis, activate.

The “Hottest” Reads

The summer sun isn’t the only thing that’s hot this season (wink, wink). Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune gives me too-little-too-late (or is it?) vibes with an intoxicating twist of will they/won’t they. In comparison, the summary for Twisted Love by Ana Huang starts with “He has a heart of ice...but for her, he’d burn the world.” I mean, c’mon—is it warm in here or is it just me?

The Page Turner

Also known as, “I couldn’t put it down,” “I lost track of time,” or “I only meant to read one more chapter,” these page turners absolutely should not be utilized as your nightstand book as you will undoubtedly lose sleep over them.

Like The Bookshop by the Bay, Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur takes place in Cape Cod, but instead tells a story full of complicated relationships and long-buried secrets. Speaking of secrets, The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth is sure to keep you guessing about not whether the sheen of a perfect marriage will crack, but when.

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*Title availability may vary by library & region.

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