beach read

American  

[beech reed] / ˈbitʃ ˌrid /

noun

1. a book, usually fiction, that one might enjoy during a vacation or a day at the beach because it is engaging, entertaining, and easy to read.

   We rarely share our beach reads up at the lake house—as a rule, mine are romances and hers are detective stories.

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Etymology

Origin of beach read

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

While not as good as Season 1, it’s still bingeable, ridiculous fun, basically TV’s version of a beach read.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

This Canadian comedy is as if you took an Elin Hilderbrand beach read and mixed in a tiny bit of “Succession.”

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2023

The top seller on Wednesday’s list was Elin Hilderbrand’s latest beach read, “The Five-Star Weekend”; followed by Bonnie Garmus’ popular debut novel “Lessons in Chemistry” and Ali Hazelwood’s comic romance “Love, Theoretically.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 28, 2023

We are truly past the marketing heyday of the beach read, and thank the publishing gods for that.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2023

Or read a wonderful beach read and escape.

From Salon • May 3, 2023