14 Easy Reads to Take To The Beach And Beyond As Summer Winds Down

1. Seinfeld

Seinfeld broke new ground in the world of sitcoms by introducing a more cynical, no-nonsense approach to its characters (and the situations they found themselves in).

The series famously followed the "no hugging, no learning" rule, meaning Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer never really grew or learned from their mistakes. This made their misadventures even more absurd and entertaining.

At its core, Seinfeld wasn't about grand life lessons or heartfelt moments, like other cornier sitcoms. Rather, it focused on the often overlooked details of everyday life and reflected the darker side of human nature in a hilarious way.

2. The Office

The U.S. version of The Office became a true cultural phenomenon during its run and continues to be a pop culture staple today.

On the surface, it's a simple show about the daily lives of quirky employees at a paper company known as Dunder Mifflin. However, its true charm lies in the awkward and comedic dynamics between the characters.

It's one of the most beloved comfort sitcoms out there, with an underlying romance plot between Jim and Pam that had viewers hooked for seasons.

3. Everybody Hates Chris

One sitcom that's arguably underrated is Everybody Hates Chris, which blended unique humor with social commentary. Created by Chris Rock, the show offers a semi-autobiographical look at his life growing up in New York during the 1980s.

It mixes his sharp comedic style with reflections on race, inequality, and social issues of the time. Tyler James Williams delivers an outstanding performance as young Chris Rock, while Terry Crews and Tichinia Arnold shine as his parents.

4. New Girl

New Girl offers a classic sitcom setup featuring a group of roommates who navigate work, romance, and the ups and downs of living together. Jess, played by Zooey Deschanel, is the only female roommate, which stirs up awkward scenarios, funny hijinks, and even drama at some points.

She's joined by Nick, Schmidt, and Winston, played by Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, and Lamorne Morris, respectively. Each male character's unique personality and quirks really round out the show and make for dynamic on-screen energy that's endlessly entertaining.

5. Modern Family

Modern Family made its mark as one of the standout sitcoms of the 2010s. It ran for 11 successful seasons and captured what it means to be a family in the modern day.

On paper, it might just seem like another family-centered show, but the series' mockumentary format sets it apart. It also shines a light on the inner workings and common challenges of blended families, which is brought to life by a standout cast, including Ed O'Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Sarah Hyland, Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould, and Rico Rodriguez.

6. Schitt's Creek

This sitcom follows a wealthy family who suddenly loses everything and is forced to move to a small, rundown town they once bought as a joke. Schitt's Creek begins as a comedic tale of survival among the entitled, but it quickly evolves into a heartwarming story of family bonding and personal growth.

The once-snobbish characters, played by the father-son duo Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, as well as Catherine O'Hara and Annie Murphy, figure out how to adapt to a humbler lifestyle and become more relatable, likable, and genuinely better people over time.

7. Curb Your Enthusiasm

From the creator of Seinfeld himself came Curb Your Enthusiasm, a masterclass in Larry David's distinctive brand of dark, edgy, and sometimes uncomfortable humor. He plays a fictionalized version of himself as he navigates a world that seems to despise him.

Larry is constantly getting into trouble in even the most simple scenarios, purely because he's prone to being socially inappropriate. But despite his often misguided behavior, there are some moments where he actually has a valid point or commentary about social expectations in day-to-day life, making him oddly relatable to the general viewer.

The premise of Curb Your Enthusiasm is simple, but Larry consistently found new angles to keep the humor fresh. This allowed the show to thrive for 12 whole seasons.

8. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Last but not least is Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a sitcom that took workplace comedy to another, over-the-top level. It's set in a police precinct but never leans too far into the tense or dramatic moments.

Instead, it opts for broad, quirky humor and lovable characters played by stars such as Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Melissa Fumero, Chelsea Peretti, Terry Crews, Joe Lo Truglio, and Andre Braugher.

1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery is an enduring tale of resilience, imagination, and the power of found family.

When an orphan named Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables, she's not what siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert expected, but she's exactly what they needed. Her boundless curiosity and mischievous ways initially clash with Marilla's stern demeanor, but over time, the two form a deep mother-daughter-like bond that goes beyond blood ties.

2. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett's Tom Lake is a literary fiction novel that explores memory, love, and the evolving relationships between mothers and daughters. Set in 2020 at a Michigan cherry orchard, the story follows Lara, who captivates her three daughters, Emily, Maisie, and Nell, as she shares the tale of her youthful romance with famous actor Peter Duke.

As past and present intertwine, Tom Lake reflects on the choices we make, the lives we leave behind, and the connections that shape us. It's a poignant read that will spark conversations between mothers and daughters.

3. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott has captivated readers ever since it was published in 1868, depicting themes of family, love, personal growth, and independence.

The story of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, continues to resonate with readers of all ages, as each sister represents different aspects of womanhood and the complex choices that shape their lives. At the heart of the novel is their beloved mother, Marmie, whose wisdom and strength guide her daughters.

4. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

This women's fiction book by Rebecca Serle takes readers on a journey that blends grief with self-discovery. After Katy's mother, Carol, dies just before their planned trip to Positano, Italy, Katy decides to go alone in an effort to escape the turmoil in her life.

Once there, she unexpectedly meets a young version of her mother and gets to experience Carol's past in a way she never could before. As Katy unravels the layers of her mother's hidden history, One Italian Summer explores the meaningful ways our loved ones shape us.

5. Sandwichby Catherine Newman

Catherine Newman's Sandwich is a witty and insightful exploration of the challenges that come with middle age. The protagonist, Rocky, finds herself spending the summer in a "sandwiched" experience. More specifically, she's caught between her aging parents and her young adult kids at a family Cape Cod cottage.

She navigates the emotional and physical changes of menopause, reflects on her life milestones, and grapples with her identity as a mother, daughter, and woman. Sandwich is packed with humor and sure to serve as a perfect conversation starter for mothers and daughters.

6. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

The Summer I Turned Pretty is a captivating coming-of-age story that deals with the complexities of love, growing up, and changing relationships between moms and daughters. Published in 2009, it centers on Belly, a teenage girl who experiences her first love alongside shifting family dynamics during a summer at a beach house.

While this book is considered a contemporary YA novel, it captures the emotional depth of both teenage and adult experiences, tackling themes of love, loss, and identity that resonate with readers of all ages.

7. The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan

J. Courtney Sullivan's The Cliffs is a gripping gothic mystery that intertwines a haunted house with the complex and often tumultuous relationships between mothers and daughters. Set in a purple Victorian home on a cliffside in Maine, the novel follows Jane, an archivist whose obsession with the house's dark past leads her to uncover unsettling truths about the past and the women who lived there.

The Cliffs examines expectations, loss, and the ways in which our perceptions of motherhood shape who we become.

8. Crying in H Martby Michelle Zauner

Finally, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, the lead singer of Japanese Breakfast, is a moving memoir that dissects identity, grief, and mother-daughter bonds.

Michelle reflects on her experience growing up half-Korean in Oregon. She often felt disconnected from her heritage and struggled under her mother's expectations. Still, the pair came together over the food Michelle's mother prepared.

Later, as she returns home at 25 years old to care for her mother during her cancer battle, food becomes their final bridge. Crying in H Mart is raw and sure to take mothers and daughters on an emotional journey.

1. Bulky Shoulder Pads

There's no fashion trend that screams '80s quite like big shoulder pads. These boxy additions (as pictured in the above shirt) found their way into blazers and dresses, creating a look that was arguably equally as impractical as it was bold.

Nonetheless, this style was popularized by the rise of power dressing and meant to project confidence and authority, particularly for women who were breaking down barriers in the workplace.

The intention behind shoulder pads was empowering, but today, many would agree the result leans more toward comically oversized than chic.

2. Animal Print Blazers

Another loud and unapologetic staple of this decade was animal print blazers. Whether leopard, zebra, or even tiger-striped, these statement pieces definitely turned heads and were sometimes even paired with metallic fabrics, taking an already bold outfit and pushing it over the edge.

Nowadays, a touch of animal print can add flair to an outfit. But the extreme blazers of this era are best remembered as a relic of fashion's past.

3. Nylon In Neon

You probably wouldn't bust out a nylon tracksuit to run errands today. Yet, back in the '80s, this look was considered the height of fashion. People would rock them in blinding shades of hot pink, neon green, and electric blue just to hit the mall or visit the grocery store.

Even though the flashy fit definitely stood out, nylon wasn't exactly the most flattering choice and kind of made people look like highlighters. Not to mention, the synthetic fabric wasn't exactly breathable since it trapped heat.

4. Acid-Wash Denim

Acid-wash denim was synonymous with looking "cool," but for older generations, the trend was ridiculous. They couldn't understand why anyone would intentionally wear jeans that looked as if they'd been dunked in bleach.

Regardless, anything from jeans to jackets and full-on denim looks got the acid-wash treatment, creating outfits that seemed more like laundry accidents than a fashion statement.

5. Oversized Collars

Thanks to Princess Diana, oversized collars became a go-to style choice. In hindsight, these exaggerated pieces of fabric were more comical than chic.

Sure, they theoretically could be styled thoughtfully and add a vintage touch of elegance. But more often than not, they wound up looking more like unflattering bibs and can stay behind in the history books.

6. Side Ponytails

Why wear your hair in the center when you could sweep it to the side? That was the thought process behind this popular hairdo in the 1980s.

Side ponytails were hiked up high, volumized, and usually paired with teased bangs. At the time, teens considered the look effortlessly cool. In 2025, the era of "slick back" buns and lower ponies, it's more just quirky.

7. Hammer Pants

M.C. Hammer and his iconic dance moves gave us one of the craziest fashion statements of the '80s: harem or "hammer" pants. These oversized pants might've been comfortable, but their ultra-low sag up top and billowing legs made them nearly impossible to style in a way that didn't feel like a costume.

Certain variations of hammer pants in more modern forms have stuck around, but the exaggerated and parachute-like proportions of this era are outdated now.

8. Patterns On Patterns

Finally, everyone laughs at the early 2000s for the layering of so many physical garments, like long sleeves under T-shirts under tank tops. Layering was also "in" during the '80s, just in a different way.

This decade saw the unashamed mixing of all kinds of patterns, like stripes with florals or plaid with polka dots. It resulted in outfits that clashed and looked chaotic.

Today, some thoughtful print mixing is considered a chic way to make a statement. However, the 1980s lacked the balance needed to really pull it off.