A few years back, I mentioned that I was looking for book suggestions, and the Nomadic Knits community showed up in a BIG way! That's when I realized that y'all get just as excited about a good book as I do.
As the vision for this year's Knitmas in July began to coalesce around the theme of coastlines, I remembered having read The Amalfi Curse the year before. That was the beginning of this particular dive down the rabbit hole
From there, we thought it would be fun to track down books for each of the five different coastal settings that had inspired this year's Knitmas in July kits: the Amalfi Coast, Shetland, the Caribbean, the Atlantic Coast, and the Pacific Coast.
Some are books I’ve read, but most are happily piling up in my endless TBR list. I’ve also included some recommendations from Suzy and the Nomadic Knits knitting community.
Whether you’re knitting on the beach or in your backyard, these books offer a glimpse of far-away coastlines. Grab your yarn, find a comfy spot, and join me for a (literary) trip to the coast.
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Amalfi Coast Reads
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
This is the book that truly cemented my vision of Amalfi.
With dual timelines, a maritime mystery, archaeology, and a touch of romance, it covers a lot of ground while bringing the dramatic Amalfi coastline to life. It’s a natural companion for the Amalfi Golden Hour Kit and a good choice for readers who like their coastal escapes with secrets buried beneath the surface.
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
This book was a fantastic surprise. I picked it up on a whim and couldn’t put it down.
It’s a Hollywood-style cozy mystery that reads like your semi-famous bestie is spilling all the details about her latest shenanigans while on a book tour in Italy. It’s clever, fast-moving, and very aware of its own ridiculousness.
In other words: perfect vacation reading.
Meet Me in Italy by Brenda Novak
It's labeled as a romance, but Suzy says this story is as much about finding unexpected family and friends-who-become-family as it is about romantic love.
Choose this one when you’re in the mood for an uplifting Italian escape with a generous helping of human connection.
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke
This one won high praise from Suzy and is set in Sicily rather than Amalfi.
It tells the true story of a Black American woman grieving the loss of her Italian husband and finding her way through love, loss, family, food, and life in Italy. Perfect if you're looking for something moving rather than a light vacation read.
Shetland and Northern Island Reads
Raven Black by Ann Cleeves
This is the first book in Ann Cleeves’ Shetland mystery series, which inspired the television show Shetland.
The series is known for its remote island setting, dramatic weather, close-knit community, and mysteries shaped by the geography of the islands. I have this one queued up as one of my next reads, and it may be the most direct match for the Shetland Stormglass Kit.
Update: I read it. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. It didn't have nearly the coastal vibe I had anticipated and felt a bit heavy for a summer read. I feel like I may have enjoyed it more had I read it in the winter. Anyone else require perfect timing for their reads? 😂
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
This book isn’t set in Shetland, but it feels like a good match for the kit.
The Guest List is an Agatha Christie-style mystery set on an island off the coast of Ireland, and much of the story unfolds during a storm that takes place over a wedding weekend. An isolated setting, questionable guests, worsening weather, and no escape?
It makes for a terrible wedding weekend and a good story.
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
This is a new-to-me recommendation that combines historical fiction, romance, and a touch of time travel.
I'm not incredibly familiar with the romance genre, but The Winter Sea is highly rated and the historical, windswept Scottish setting has me curious. This one sounds especially well suited to a gray afternoon, a large mug of tea, and several uninterrupted rows of knitting.
The Shetland Bus by David Howarth
Recommended by Julia Euclide, this nonfiction book tells the story of the brave men who traveled across the North Sea between Shetland and Norway during World War II.
Julia describes it as a tale of bravery and adventure and also recommends visiting the museum in Scalloway that honors the people involved in the operation.
Thanks so much for the recommendation, Julia!
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
This story takes place in Scotland, although not specifically along the coast.
With well-written characters who pull you into their lives and make you consider how a life is measured, Suzy found it deeply engaging and thought-provoking.
This one comes with a warning: if you're susceptible to tears, you may want to keep tissues nearby.
Caribbean Reads
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Black Cake weaves together multiple timelines and generations while exploring family secrets, identity, memory, and Caribbean roots.
There is enough mystery to keep you turning the pages, but the heart of the book lies in the complicated ways family histories shape our lives.
I read this one about a year ago and parts of it are still vivid in my mind. It's a book that lingers long after you put it down.
The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey
This is my roll-of-the-dice selection for the summer.
The story blends Caribbean island life, folklore, fantasy, and the appearance of a mermaid pulled from the sea. It received mixed reactions from readers, but the premise was unusual enough to make me curious.
At the time of writing, I am still waiting for my library hold. I’ll report back once I know whether I chose wisely. 🤞🏼
Update: I began reading this over a month ago, but haven't been able to finish it. I'm having trouble connecting with the protagonist and I'm not sure if it's due to the narration (I'm listening to the audiobook), or because of the masculine tilt of the writing. If you've read it, I'd love to hear what you think!
Atlantic Coast Reads
The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe
This story takes us to Isle of Palms, South Carolina, with sea turtles, family history, relationships, and plenty of Lowcountry beach atmosphere.
The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews
Set on a remote barrier island off the Georgia coast, this book brings together friendship, old secrets, family history, and just enough murder-adjacent behavior to keep things interesting.
It sounds like a particularly good option for readers who want the warmth of a Southern coastal story with a side of intrigue.
The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen
This mystery heads north to a seaside village in Maine, where retired spies apparently make excellent neighbors. Or suspicious ones.
It's the first book in the Martini Club series and has been compared to The Thursday Murder Club, which I loved, so my hopes were high.
Unfortunately, this one ended up being a miss for me. The storyline was strong, but the characters felt underdeveloped, and the audiobook narration may not have helped.
Your experience may be different, especially in print, but it wasn’t one of my favorites from this list.
Pacific Coast Reads
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
This book has been on my TBR list for quite some time, mostly because of the octopus. 🐙
Set in the Pacific Northwest and centered around an aquarium, it combines mystery, friendship, grief, and one unusually observant giant Pacific octopus.
It moved even higher on my list when I learned that it was being adapted for the screen. I want to watch it (My parents gave it four thumbs up!), but I really, REALLY want to read the book first.
Mink River by Brian Doyle
This quirky, heartfelt novel is set in a small coastal town in the Pacific Northwest.
Its cast includes fishermen, crows, eccentric neighbors, and a community woven together with lyrical writing and a touch of magic. This sounds like the sort of town I would happily visit from the safety of my reading chair, and I can’t wait to read it.
The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch
This coming-of-age story follows a young boy growing up along the Pacific coast.
It's usually classified as young adult fiction, but it's also been praised by adult readers for its vivid descriptions of marine life and local ecology, especially the tide pools.
This might be the best choice on the list for anyone whose favorite part of visiting the coast is crouching beside a pool of seawater to see what tiny world has been left behind by the tide.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I feel like this book has been everywhere for the last five years.
I’ll admit that I originally dismissed it because the title and cover led me to assume it was a fluffy beach read, not that there's anything wrong with a fluffy beach read. 👀
While researching books for the Pacific Tidelands Kit, it appeared yet again, and I finally read the description.
Cue facepalm.
The story follows a famous family over the course of one eventful day in 1980s Malibu, with sibling relationships, family secrets, surf culture, and a party that goes sideways.
Doesn't sound very fluffy.
The author also wrote The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which I loved.
Are you familiar with the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Apparently, I needed a reminder. 😬
What Are You Reading?
Have you read any of these? Any others I should add to the list? Let us know in the comments so the other book lovers among us can see your suggestions!
Happy Knitting!
Becky