In 2022, new mom Carrie Kerner had an idea. “On a walk with some friends, we lamented about the lack of time for reading since becoming parents,” she says. “Recalling the joy of childhood story time at the library and my enduring love for books, I proposed the idea of starting a book club, hosting it at Old Mill Beach so no one would need to host, clean up, or provide snacks.” The idea was a hit. After a 20 person turnout at the first event, more than 150 have shown up since, and @booksonthebeach203 became a “gem of a community,” Carrie says. Local restaurants like Bar Taco and PopUp Bagels sponsored meetups, and Fairfield County authors Jane Green and Avery Carpenter came by to discuss their books.
So what is book-lover Carrie diving into this summer reading season? She shares four of her beach-bag must-haves for this year. You might just catch her reading one on a beach chair near you.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
"I finally finished It Ends with Us, and I absolutely enjoyed immersing myself in the lives of these characters and their romantic journeys. It was a refreshing departure from the suspenseful thrillers and mysteries I usually delve into. Moreover, I'm thrilled that It Ends with Us is being adapted into a feature film set to premiere this summer!"
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
"I am a huge fan of Ruth Ware’s psychological thrillers, so I am so excited to read one of her latest novels The It Girl this summer. I loved her other books from In a Dark, Dark Wood to The Woman in Cabin 10, The Lying Game, The Death of Mrs. Westaway and One by One, to name a few, so I highly recommend reading all of them!"
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
"One of my favorite reads from last summer with our club was The Paper Palace. This captivating story unravels over 24 hours and spans 50 years, weaving together family legacies, love, deception, and a haunting childhood event that propels Elle toward a pivotal decision. Set against the backdrop of the coastal beauty of Cape Cod, reminiscent of our own seaside community, the novel's vivid setting adds depth to its narrative. The ending left me wondering for days after finishing the book (which is rare!) what I would’ve done if I were in Elle's shoes."
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
If you're into best-selling, breezy romance novels perfect for beach reading, I've got a lineup of upcoming releases I'm eagerly anticipating this summer. From This Summer Will be Different to Summers at The Saint, How to End a Love Story, Summer Romance, Just for the Summer, and The Summer Pact, my hot list is packed with promising titles bound to whisk you away on delightful summer escapades.
“Recalling the joy of childhood story time at the library and my enduring love for books, I proposed the idea of starting a book club, hosting at Old Mill Beach."