When it comes to books that help you live your best life, we’re all about getting serious. From the politics of food to the nitty gritty science of how nutrients affect the body, we tend to dig deep.
RELATED: These Books Will Totally Change How You Think About Food
But beach reads? You’ve got to lighten things up a little for the kind of reading that’s appropriate for basking in the sunshine.
That doesn’t mean you have to abandon the idea of reading your way towards a healthier, happier life for a summer filled with romance novels. It just means you should look for healthy books that are a little more narrative and fun to read. (We’re not knocking chick lit, by the way; this is just about if you’re looking for something that helps you live better.)
Don’t know where to start? Here are seven great healthy beach reads to throw in your tote next to your towel this season.
5 Healthy Beach Reads for Better Health
The Wellness Project: How I Learned to Do Right By My Body Without Giving Up My Life
In this funny quick read, the blogger behind Feed Me Phoebe details her journey in trying to figure out how to feel and live better after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. She describes her stumbles, all of the crazy advice that doesn’t work, and what eventually actually works for her in terms of living a healthy, happy lifestyle.
The Beauty of Dirty Skin
Whitney Bowe, MD, is a pro at talking about the science of skincare (and food) in a way that makes you feel like you’re talking to a friend at a dinner party, not studying for an exam. What better way to spend your time soaking up the sun than to also soak up her advice on getting what she calls “that Bowe glow”?
The Buddha Walks Into A Bar
Buddhism is a pretty serious topic, but MNDFL co-founder and meditation teacher Lodro Rinzler had been on a mission to demystify it for modern life for a long time. In this book, he shows how you can apply the spiritual principles to your life without living like a monk. Read it while mindfully sipping chilled rosé, your toes in the sand.
Girl, Wash Your Face
TheChicSite.com founder Rachel Hollis’ funny, frank guide to happiness is about following your passion while embracing the messiness of life. Each friendly chapter begins with a lie Hollis once believed that left her feeling overwhelmed or unworthy, and then she dives into stories of how she overcame those beliefs—and how you can, too.
Yoga for Life: A Journey to Inner Peace and Freedom
Whether you’re a dedicated yogi or can barely remember which pose is downward dog, Colleen Saidman Yee’s memoir-slash-yoga book will draw you in. Saidman Yee tells stories of a traumatic accident she experienced as a child, her drug addiction, and her modeling career before diving into how her yoga practice helped her become the superstar she is today. It’s a riveting read and is inspiring in a way that never even brushes up against trite. One word of warning: It’s pretty large as far as beach reads go, thanks to pages of yoga sequences woven into the storytelling, so maybe save it for flipping through at the beach house or make sure you’ve got a roomy beach bag.
(Featured Photo: Shutterstock)