There’s nothing better than being at the beach and reading a good book. NAHS students flock to beaches throughout the US every summer vacation, but not without their summer stories first. “Beach Reads” are a popular book genre, particularly during summertime. They are light-hearted, entertaining, and easy to read, providing students a break from their serious summer reading and allowing them to enjoy a more leisurely tale. Authors Emily Henry and Elin Hilderbrand have made a name for themselves among “beach readers”, cranking out spectacular books summer after summer, and this year, they did not disappoint! From mysteries to rom-coms, both Emily Henry’s “Funny Story” and “Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand brought enjoyment and entertainment during the summer of 2024.
Book 1: Funny Story
“Funny Story” is Emily Henry’s 5th, and most recent publication. This romantic-comedy book weaves together the best of heart, humor, and relatable characters to entrap readers into a wonderful tale of life and love. Set in a vibrant, small-town atmosphere, the story follows the main characters Daphne and Miles as they navigate through new beginnings. Whether that be their exes in a happy relationship together, friendship, and love of their own, they find themselves bound together, helping each other through the unexpected hard times. While many readers worried about repetitive plots, as “Funny Story” is Henry’s 5th novel, she proved them wrong, bringing out the best of wit, humor, and emotional undertones in this wonderful tale of love and life.
Book 2: Swan Song
“Swan Song” is Elin Hilderbrand’s release from this past summer. Not only does the story detail a “swan song” of one last mystery for the protagonist, but the book itself was her personal “swan song”, as this was her final hurrah of stories about Nantucket summers. Like most of her novels, “Swan Song” follows Police Chief Ed Kapnash and the Nantucket residents, as new blood comes to town, The Richardson Family. But when the Richardson’s house mysteriously burns down, and their assistant goes missing, Kapenash must solve one last crime before retiring. As usual, Hilderbrand brings in island charm, heartfelt moments, and a captivating mystery, keeping readers immersed. The plot twists and turns, revealing a fascinatingly complex relationship between the characters and the island of Nantucket itself. The imagery within the book perfectly captures the essence of summer, making this the ultimate “beach read” for the summer of 2024.
As the summer draws to a close, the memories of sun-soaked days by the shore, and the stories that accompanied us linger on. Whether it’s the heart-warming romance of “Funny Story” or the thrilling mystery of “Swan Song”, both offer an escape from reality. Although the summer of 2024 is ending, these books are ready to be revisited for a reminder of those lazy and hazy days of summer.
