Build a Virtual Beach Day, Get an Actual Beach Read By Emilie Polster Build a Virtual Beach Day, Get an Actual Beach Read! Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer Do you hear that sound? No biggie, it’s just the echo of Twihards around the world SCREAMING with excitement. We all know Bella’s story, but now it’s Edward’s turn. Take a trip back to Forks and join your favorite characters once again from the very beginning. Edward has lived in Forks with his family for a couple of years now and is fully engrossed in high school (for the millionth time). While we certainly can’t call him happy, Edward is content, confident, and not easily surprised. That is, until Bella Swan arrives and turns his world upside-down. Not only can he not hear her thoughts as he can others, she smells so unbelievably delicious that simply being in her presence is an excruciatingly painful struggle. But at the same time, something about Bella draws him in. Unfortunately, not all his siblings are in agreement with his fascination (obsession?) and his growing relationship with a human girl. As things progress, the stakes keep getting higher, and Edward’s strength is tested beyond his wildest imagination in order to protect the one he loves. This book is everything you’ve been dreaming of and more. Seriously. Read it. NOW. More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood Okay, things are complicated for Danyal. His father has very high expectations of him and his dream of becoming a chef is not quite enough. And while Danyal’s confidence is certainly not lacking, his humor and gorgeous looks are on point, his lack of school smarts does not make him an impressive arrangement for his perfect-in-every-way, long-time crush, Kaval and her family. When Danyal is selected to participate in his school’s yearly academic competition, the Renaissance Man, he needs all the help he can get to prove to everyone that he’s more than just a pretty face. Enter Bisma, the genius girl Danyal asks to help him prepare. And while Bisma is definitely NOT interested, the more time Danyal spends with her, learning and sharing yummy food, the more he discovers about himself and what makes him happy. This sweet love story is full of history, humor, and Pakistani/Muslim representation. Camp by L. C. Rosen Every year, Randy spends a few glorious weeks at Camp Outland, a summer camp for queer teens. Randy loves Camp Outland. It’s where he gets to spend time with his closest friends, participates in the big musical, and simply gets to be himself with no judgement—lots of makeup, sparkles, and nail polish included! Summer camp also happens to be where he met his ultimate crush, Hudson, a super masculine, very straight-acting guy who doesn’t seem to notice Randy at all. But this year, Randy is determined to change that. Rebranding himself as buff, masculine, and single-ready-to-mingle “Del”, he sets out on his quest to gain Hudson’s attention. But, as their relationship grows, Randy begins to question how much he should be willing to give up and change about himself for others. If summer camp is your happy place, you’ll definitely want to take a trip to Camp Outland. When the Stars Lead to You by Ronni Davis After a whirlwind of a magical summer romance, Devon finds herself devastated when Ashton leaves her with no warning, and seemingly without a second glance. Unsure how she will ever repair her broken heart, Devon throws everything into her love of the stars and her dream of becoming an astrophysicist. Devon was determined to enjoy every moment of her senior year, but when a new student arrives on the first day of school, her world becomes completely upended. It’s Ashton. And Devon isn’t sure that she can ever forgive him. With starry skies, love, passion, mental health representation, and racial diversity—what more could you want from the perfect beach read? The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake Violet Larkin and her little brother, Sam, know their family’s story like the back of their hand. As the story goes, their great-great-great-grandmother, Fidelia, was aboard the Lyric when it sank off the coast of Maine. While everyone else board drowned, Fidelia miraculously managed to swim ashore, where she settled and founded the beach town of Lyric, where Violet and Sam spend each summer. Everything seems to be going wrong for the Larkins, so when Sam is sent for treatment after attempting to take his life, Violet is sent to spend some time with her bakery-owning uncle in Lyric, Maine. And after too much partying with all the wrong people, it turns out Lyric is exactly what Violet needed. Being back in Lyric reignites her old dream of discovering the mysterious shipwreck that made her family who they are today. Desperate and haunted, Violet sets off on a journey for reparation and what feels a lot like survival. This beautifully moving, contemporary coming-of-age story will take you right to the beach with Violet. Time to get packed! What is the one item you can’t forget to stick in your beach tote? What kind of beach are you going to? You’ve arrived! What is the first thing you plan to do? Your beach getaway is coming to a close. What is the perfect way to finish out the day before heading home?