BackThere is nothing more relaxing than taking a book to a beach and spending the afternoon reading. A good beach read strikes the perfect balance of intriguing yet light. Nothing too heavy and nothing with too much fluff. This is why non-fiction is the perfect genre to reach for when creating your summer reading list. Non-fiction covers several sub-genres. Whether you enjoy self-care, self-improvement, memoirs, history, science, health, current affairs, and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For all the book worms looking for that not-so-typical beach read, read on to see non-fiction picks for the summer. From history, science, lifestyle, self-improvement, and human psychology, to classics, there is something on this list anyone would love.
1. (Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living by Mark Greenside
A warm, witty, honest, and funny memoir of a bicontinental life in France, Greenside shares his experiences in coming to terms with cultural differences, language barriers, and all the nuances that come with living amongst locals of another country. This book comes highly rated and is a light and easy read.
2. Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer
Part journalism, part scientific research, part memoir, this book centers around the author’s own personal journey to improve his memory and what he learns along the way. Exploring the science behind memory, Foer shares tricks of the trade on how to refine and polish human memory.
3. Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine by Olivia Campbell
This Victorian-era historical non-fiction title takes you back to a time when medical access and medical education for women was limited. This true story shows the remarkable courage and tenacity of three Victorian women who were the first women of that era to receive medical educations, which transformed women’s healthcare forever.
4. Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives by Daniel J. Levitin
This book will change your perspective on aging, and even begin to embrace it. Levitin drops powerful insights and debunks myths surrounding age. What has been seen as an undesirable part of life, the author shifts the narrative into one of full acceptance, joy, grace, and wisdom.
5. Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know by Malcom Gladwel
This book scandalously takes you through history and human psychology as the author explores human communication and understanding. Looking at large historical figures from the past, both good and bad, Gladwell explains why we relate to some people and not to others, and how one can manipulate another’s understanding through our interactions and words.
6. Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe
This is an excellent historical non-fiction pick about the legendary and monarchial-like American family, the Vanderbilts. The book explores how they rose to fortune, their lavish life in Manhattan, and what made them fall from greatness in later centuries. Written by the American broadcaster, Anderson Cooper, who also happens to be the great-great-great grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, this insider look into this iconic family is a vivid read.
7. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky
For an invigorating scientific pick, Sapolsky, a neurobiologist, takes you on a journey through the science of human behavior. He explores tough questions and taboo topics, bringing the reader into a deeper understanding into our biology, nervous systems, and genetic makeups that influence our behaviors.
8. Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
In this book, Amanda Montell dives deep into the psychology, behavior, social science, and nuances of cults. Cerebral and fascinating, this book will make you think twice about what you actually know about cults.
9. This is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan
Pollan is best known for his work and philosophy around healthy eating and food. However, don’t be fooled by the title for this one. This new book has nothing to do with eating but everything to do with how certain plants have mind-alternating consequences. This is not your typical psychedelic story. This book explores all mind-altering substances, including that cup of morning joe.
10. Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui
This book is a beautiful tribute to water and why humans are drawn to it. It’s the perfect read on the beach while you sit by the ocean, enjoying this sweet love letter to water
11. 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think by Brianna Wiest
“Your habits create your mood, and your mood is a filter through which you experience life.”
Wiest takes you through journeys of psychology, passion, mindset, and more in this compilation of essays. An easy book to begin in any chapter and leaves you with plenty of food for thought.
12. Inward by Yung Pueblo
There is nothing more calming and serene than poetry by the beach. The profound Yung Pueblo envelopes you in each word he writes and leaves you in awe after every line. Wisdom in each poem, this is a fantastic book to pop in your beach tote for some light summer reading.
13. The Energy of Belief: Simple Proven Techniques to Release Limiting Beliefs & Transform Your Life by Mary T. Sise LCSW, and Sheila Sidney Bender, PhD
For a fabulous self-improvement and mind exercise read, this book explores the fascinating topic of the power of the mind, and the change one can bring about in their life with simple mindset shifts and releasing internal beliefs.
14. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
The Japanese believe that everyone has what they call a reason for living – ikigai (ee-key-guy). This book explores the life and philosophy of some of the world’s experts in living long and happy lives, the people of Japan. Through discovering and living for one’s life purpose, life is sweeter.
15. Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness by Epictetus
Epictetus was a slave born around 55 CE in the Roman Empire. When he was freed, he became a Stoic philosopher and author. This is one of his published works that we still have today. Translated into English, Epictetus gives you gems of knowledge and wisdom on each page. An ancient classic for any library.
