While planning your next Holden Beach vacation, you might be dreamily thinking about that good book you’ve been saving for your beach chair, pool lounger, or rocking chair.
Whether life is just too busy for enjoying a good book or you can better focus on the story when that pesty to-do list isn’t hanging over your head... there's just something so special about reading a book at the beach as you soak in the sun, are cooled by the ocean breeze, and breeathe in the salty air. Ahhhh….
The Holden Beach area has been the setting for lots of great fiction over the years, and some talented local authors have written nonfiction books about our history, folklore, culture, traditions, and more.
We've compiled a list of as many of these books as we could find and have also included a few local bookstores where you may be able to find them.
Fiction Books about Holden Beach
You will find many of the fiction books listed below to be lighthearted beach reads, which are always a great option for a relaxing vacation. But if you prefer to mix it up a bit, we’ve discovered a few that fall in the mystery and suspense categories as well.
- The Water is Wide (Wilmington) by Natalie Banks
- The Beautician’s Notebook by Anne Clinard Barnhill
- Beyond Borders by Don Glander
- Beyond Beaches by Don Glander
- Azalea Bluff by Dennis Hetzel
- Joyland (Hard Case Crime Book 112) (between Wilmington & MB) by Stephen King
- Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
- Devil's Den: A Journey from Darkness to Light by Randall Lane
- High Tide at Pelican Pointe (Southern Grace Book 3) by Glenda Manus
- The Melancholy Moon (Southern Grace Book 4) by Glenda Manus
- Carolina Moon by Jill McCorkle
- Cougars at the Beach: A Mickke D Grand Strand Murder Mystery (Book 2 of 4) by Steve McMillan
- The Creatures of Holden Beach … and the Murder They Did Not Commit by Chris Underwood
- The Mailbox (A Sunset Beach Novel 1) by Marybeth Whalen
- The Guest Book (A Sunset Beach Novel Book 2) by Marybeth Whalen
- The Wishing Tree (A Sunset Beach Novel Book 3) by Marybeth Whalen
- The Bridge Tender (A Sunset Beach Novel Book 4) by Marybeth Whalen
- Blood in the Sand – The Holden Beach Incident by Monroe Williams
- The Wedding (Southport) by Dorothy West
A list of fiction about Holden Beach wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Nicholas Sparks. With over 20 novels published, all of which have been New York Times bestsellers, many of his books are set in various North Carolina beaches and coastal towns.
Though there isn’t a book specifically about Holden Beach at this time, “The Last Song” is set in Wilmington and mentions Holden Beach. “Safe Haven” is set in Southport, and “Every Breath” is set in Sunset Beach.
Nonfiction about Holden Beach
With the initial development of Holden Beach dating back to 1756, our beautiful island is rich in maritime history, including shipwrecks, pirates, lighthouses, fishing traditions, and more. If you’d like to learn more about any or all of these things, you will enjoy grabbing a copy of one of these nonfiction finds about Holden Beach.
- The Beginning and Development of Holden Beach (1756-2000) by John F. Holden
- Holden Beach History by John F. Holden
- Heartening Heritage on a Carolina Crescent by J.M.M. Holden
- Riverhead by J.M.M. Holden
- More Legends: Tales & Traditions of Brunswick County & Southeastern NC by Christy Judah
- The Legends of Brunswick County: Ghosts, Pirates, Indians, and Colonial NC by J.C. Judah
- The Carolina Watermen: Bug Hunters and Boat Builders by Richard & Barbara Kelly
- South Brunswick Islands: Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach by Pamela M. Koontz
- Sand and Sea Fever: An Early History of Holden Beach by Franda Dobson Pedlow
Where to Find Books About Holden Beach
So, where can you find these books? While many can be found online, most Hobbs Realty vacation rentals have stocked bookshelves, and you may be surprised by the books by local authors you may find.
Another fun option – sort of treasure hunt style - is to bring some books from home that you no longer need and trade them for any Holden Beach books you may find in one of our area’s free libraries.
You may also enjoy a trip to the Rourk Branch Library at 5068 Main Street in Shallotte. Although checking out books from the shelves is reserved for local residents, there is a selection of books available for loan on an honor system.
Otherwise, we think you will love visiting the local gift shops and bookstores in your hunt for books about Holden Beach.
Holden Beach Area Bookstores
Beach Mart | 3368 Holden Beach Rd SW | Supply | (910) 842-2699
Cozy Cottage Consignment & Thrift | 3008 Holden Beach Rd SW | Supply | (910) 842-8844
Island Art & Books | 6885 Beach Drive SW | Ocean Isle Beach | (910) 579-7757
Lighthouse Gifts | 3434 Holden Beach Rd SW | Supply | (910) 842-5740
Pelican Bookstore | 1780 Chandlers Lane | Sunset Beach | (910) 579-8770
Saltwateer Shanty | 1027 Sabbath Home Road | Supply | (910) 264-4848
There are a variety of other antique stores and gift shops located throughout Brunswick County. These can be a fun way to spend an afternoon, because not only can you look for some great books about Holden Beach, but you can also search for other unique souvenirs that you can’t find at the standard beach shops.
See You Soon!
Whether you snag one of the books featured above online in anticipation of your next wonderful Holden Beach vacation or you wait until your vacation week to try to find one locally so you can read it on the beach with your toes in the sand, we know you’ll love these books about Holden Beach.
Whether your perfect reading spot is by the pool, under the beach umbrella, or snuggled up on the oceanfront or canal front deck, our collection of Holden Beach NC rentals offers something for everyone. Don’t hesitate to give our #Hobbspitality Team a call at (800) 655-3367 if we can help you narrow down your choices in any way.
We hope to see you soon... at the beach!
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Darcy Geho is a contributing author to this Hobbs Realty blog. She spent 11 years working in the vacation rental industry while she lived on and traveled the North Carolina coast. Like most of our visitors, when Darcy isn’t on Holden Beach, she looks forward to her next visit.