10 Iconic American Beaches and the Perfect Book to Read at Each One

From Nantucket to Cannon Beach, these books and beaches are perfectly paired for your next coastal escape.

The quintessential beach day starts the same way every time: an iced coffee in one hand, a beach bag slung over your shoulder, and the promise of nowhere to be except your towel in the sand. After a refreshing dip in the ocean, there’s only one thing left to do—crack open a great beach read. The best books have a way of transporting you somewhere else while somehow keeping you exactly where you want to be: listening to the waves, feeling the sun on your skin, and letting the hours drift by.

 Of course, everyone’s idea of the perfect beach read is different. Some readers want a twist-filled thriller they can’t put down, while others reach for a sweeping romance, an emotional family drama or a nostalgic story that lingers long after the last page. That’s why we’ve paired 10 of America’s beaches with books that capture their unique personalities—whether through setting, mood or the feeling they leave behind. Along the way, we’ve also rounded up where to stay, what to eat and the can’t-miss experiences that make each destination worth extending beyond the shoreline. From first light in the morning to that blissful post-beach shower, sunset cocktail and snuggling up with just one more chapter, consider this your complete beach vacation itinerary.

Calm water, soft sand and an easy bike ride from downtown make Jetties Beach one of the island’s most beloved spots for an afternoon spent alternating between chapters and dips in the Atlantic. And, of course, a beach chair is nothing without a good book. While any Elin Hilderbrand novel is an obvious choice for a day on Jetties Beach, The Five-Star Weekend is the must-read this year. With the highly anticipated TV adaptation on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to pick up a book full of friendship, second chances and the kind of seaside glamour the island does so well.

Where to stay, eat and play: Check into The Brant for a boutique stay just minutes from downtown, or opt for Faraway Nantucket or 21 Broad if you want to be in the heart of the action. Start your morning with an…