Some people think of seaside vacations as a time to surf, swim, and snorkel. But sometimes there’s nothing better than lounging in the sand with a good book.
Ready to relax? Check out these tips for the best Big Island beach reads.
Books That Take Place on the Big Island
If for some unfortunate reason you’re forced to spend your summer away from Hawaii, escape to the Big Island with these books that take place in Kona, Hilo, or across the entire island.
Crime Fiction: Blood Orchids by Toby Neal
Young Adult: Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers by Lois-Ann Yamanaka
Suspense: The Goddesses by Swan Huntley
Science Fiction: The Islands at the End of the World by Austin Aslan
Fiction: Red Sky Over Hawaii by Sara Ackerman
Essays: This is Paradise by Kristiana Kahakauwila
Non-Fiction: Lost Kingdom: Hawaii’s Last Queen, the Sugar Kings and America’s First Imperial Adventure by Julia Flynn Siler
No matter which genre you prefer, these reads will keep the pages turning while the waves are crashing.
Kona’s Best Bookstores
If you’re reading local, you should be shopping local. Fortunately, Kona hosts several amazing bookstores, making it easy to entertain yourself while supporting the community.
Kona Stories is an independent bookshop located in the Keauhou Shopping Center. They’ve been connecting Kona with great reads since 2006.
The monthly Words and Wine event at Kona Stories hosts local and visiting authors for an evening of literary discussion and wine drinking. If you’re looking for an easy way to meet fellow Kona residents, join the store’s monthly fiction or nonfiction book club.
(If you prefer feline friends to humans, say hello to the resident cats of Kona Stories.)
Kona Bay Books is the largest independent bookstore in Hawaii, boasting over two miles of new and secondhand books. This booklover’s paradise has just moved to Kopiko Plaza. Give them a warm welcome and grab your next novel.
Looking for more book-related events? Check out the Kailua-Kona Public Library for more chances to engage with the local literary community.
How to Read Like a Local
Arguably, the best place to enjoy a beach read is… you guessed it… on the beach. But as a local, my vote goes to the lanai.
This Hawaiian staple is more than just a place to escape unexpected rain showers. Your own private lanai will help you escape from crowded beaches and escape into the novel. (Plus, no one will notice if your reading hour turns into napping hour.)
Brew a delicious cup of Kona coffee. Stretch out in a hammock. Enjoy the warm, breezy air without having to endure direct sunlight. No matter your style, there are so many ways to transform the humble lanai into a luxurious escape.
Start the Next Chapter
Ready to turn the page and set the next chapter of your story in Hawaii? Paradise isn’t just for fairy tales! Let’s schedule a time to chat. I’ll help you figure out how to find your happily ever after.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.