Be Seduced By Crashing Waves & Salty Air: Books Set At Sea
This list was inspired by the reading prompt: Read a book set at sea in the Playing Card Reading Challenge (7 of Clubs). Perhaps you seek profound escapism into a world vast and atmospheric. Or like me, miss the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore, so you pretend you can hear it while passing the time in the embrace of a sea-worthy read.
The sea .. washes away the stains and wounds of the world.
โOscar Wilde โDe Profundisโ 1905
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Why read a book set at sea?
The sea presents a unique environment, set apart from the confines of land; the elements of survival, isolation, and discovery are amplified, which allows for deeper exploration of inner psychological landscapes. The sea offers its own set of challenges, making it an excellent setting for a wide swath of genres from romance to thriller, adventure to historical fiction.
- The sea is both beautiful and dangerous.
- It acts as a metaphor for the inner self.
- Opens the door to themes of survival, exploration, and discovery.
- Isolates characters in a way that land-based stories donโt.
Donโt worry, not all sea-going tales are Moby Dick or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Here is a list of 12 that cross genres, so you’re sure to find something suitable to try.
Stuart Turton
Supernatural occurrences plague a 17th-century ship voyage, and two unlikely heroes must unravel a demonic mystery before everyone perishes.
Sarah Penner
A nautical archaeologist searching for sunken treasure unearths a centuries-old curse, powerful witchcraft and perilous love on the high seas.
Also fulfills: Read a romance. Read a magical realism story.
Lisa See
On Korea’s Jeju Island, two female divers from different backgrounds forge a friendship spanning decades, from Japanese colonialism through wars, as their bond faces cultural and political challenges.
Also fulfills: Read a family saga. Read a book that spans generations. Read a book set on an island.
Darcy Coates
Terrifying ghost story about a dive team exploring a shipwreck that harbors a dark, ravenous presence beneath the ocean’s depths.
Jennifer E. Smith
After a viral onstage meltdown following her mother’s death, indie musician Greta James joins her estranged father on an Alaskan cruise, finding healing and unexpected romance.
Also fulfills: Read a book about grief/loss. Read a romance.
Julian Sancton
A thrilling account of an early polar expedition gone awry, where the ship became trapped in ice and the crew endured a sunless, Antarctic winter.
Yann Martel
A sixteen-year-old Indian boy survives 227 days at sea in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, testing his faith, survival skills, and understanding of life while stranded in the Pacific Ocean.
Also fulfills: Read a book with an unreliable narrator. Read a book with a number in the title.ย
Lucy Clarke
A gripping, twisty and full of sun-soaked atmosphere thriller about a group of strangers stranded on a remote island with a dark secret.
Meg Keneally
Based on the true story of Mary Bryant, an iconic figure in the foundation lore of Australia, Fled is a sweeping, heart-wrenching account of one woman’s life-long search for freedom.
Mira Grant
A new crew sets sail to uncover the truth behind a lost ship and the deadly secrets lurking beneath the waves.
Ruth Ware
A journalist on a luxury cruise witnesses a woman being thrown overboard, but all passengers remain accounted for.
Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Sometimes a yacht, a bold bucket list, and a kiss with a handsome stranger are all a person needs to dive into the deep end of life.
Also fulfills: Read a romance.
You may notice that all except for one of the books listed have covers that stick close to the same palette of cool blues. Even though these books are of decidedly different genres, they are all telling you something about the setting through their color choice and imagery. You may further notice that the tone of each book is further indicated by the typeface that each has used for the title. If these details interest you, check out How To Judge A Book By Its Cover.
What is your favorite book set at sea? Leave a comment so we can check it out!
May your life be as full as your bookshelf and as long as your TBR list.
Happy Reading!
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