Bookish Beach Style

Summer is truly here, and if you haven’t made it to the beach yet, it’s time to get some sand between your toes! The beach is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy some sun… along with some favorite reading material. No matter where you are in the world, reading on the beach feels indulgent. Summer reading is even better stretched out on a towel, and we want to celebrate it. Load up with bookish beach goodies for your next trip to the seaside, and enjoy the sunshine without missing out on your favorite character’s adventures.

Big Beach Towels

The most important thing (other than the book itself!) is something big and soft to laze on. Luckily for book lovers, there is a huge range of options for people who want to wear their bookworm tendencies on their towels. Cafepress has a huge range of book-themed towels, from bookshelves to script to fun quotes about reading. We especially love this bright blue “Curl Up & Read” print – classic beachy colors with a bookish twist!

Or, if you want to get a little more specific, pick up a towel for your favorite fandom – Harry Potter is always a winner, and this Marauder’s Map towel is the perfect for Potterheads.

How could we talk bookish towels without mentioning ‘The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy’? This towel from Society 6 is a perfect tribute to Arthur Dent’s adventures – and a great reminder that even if someone interrupts your reading – don’t panic!

Finally, if you prefer something a little simpler, try a Tillow. A combination towel and pillow, this handy beach towel might not look bookish at first glance, but its unique design is perfect for supporting your next while you read.

Bookish Beach Bags

Of course, you’ll need something to carry your towels, water, sunnies, snacks – and those all-important books down to the beach! Canvas totes are perfect – casual and hard-wearing, with plenty of room for everything you need (even a spare novel in case you finish the first one). If you love wordplay (and 90s hits), you’ll love this punny tote that proudly declares, “I like big books and I cannot lie”.

If you prefer something a little more literary, try these totes printed with Penguin classic covers. There are a huge range of covers available, including On The Road, The Great Gatsby, and A Room of One’s Own.

All In The Details

The sand gets hotter than the pages of a romance novel, and you’ll need something to protect your tootsies after a day spent reading on the beach – which is where these bookish flip flops come in handy… or should that be foot-y? Once again, CafePress has a huge selection of prints, including these colorful stacks of books, this fun open book pattern, or this gorgeous bookshelf print.

Even Havaiana have something for readers, with this pair of comic book flip flops featuring a classic cover for Detective Comics… better known as Batman!

You can always just wear the biggest, darkest sunglasses you can find – something to protect both your precious eyesight and your reading time (just pretend you can’t see anyone who might bother you!). But if you want something a little different, check out these amazing handmade frames by Sires. Crafted of wood, these glasses are printed with classic comics and can also be made in a prescription.

Summer Sippin’

Don’t forget to take a drink with you to the beach so you can stay hydrated in the sun – especially if you are the kind of reader to get so lost in a book that you forget everything else. Fill up one of these re-usable bottles with your favorite summer drink for hydration that’s environmentally friendly at the same time. We love these simple black, red and white designs – whether you love being well-read or are bookish and proud. Another favorite is this simple “Drink Me” bottle, the perfect subtle way to bring a little wonder(land) to your summer.

Keep Your Books Safe

Reading at the beach might be an amazing way to spend the summer, but it’s not always the most practical place to enjoy a book. Luckily, there are some amazing gadgets to help! If you are struggling with your pages flapping in the wind (and getting covered in sand and ice-cream drips, check out this great idea – the Book on Book. Made of transparent acrylic, this cover is shaped like a book and weighs the pages down – but still lets you read through it! Hands free reading, even in a breeze.

Or, if you prefer to do your reading on a tablet, pop it into one of these waterproof (and sand-proof) cases to keep the elements out. Add a portable, solar-powered charger to your beach bag, and you don’t even have to worry about running out of power.