Seaside stories

It’s World Book Day on Thursday 5th March 2026, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a few inspired selections from our favourite local bookseller.

Just a two-minute stroll from Towan Beach, Clemo Books is Newquay’s much-loved independent bookshop. We caught up with owner Jaimie to talk favourite beach reads, books shaped by Cornwall, and the joy of discovering stories that stay with you long after the final page.

What’s your personal go-to read when you want to unwind by the sea?

I love literary fiction – anything driven by interesting characters. I really enjoyed The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden and have been recommending it to lots of customers. Buckeye by Peter Ryan was also fantastic, and I recently read Ella Frear’s Goodlord, which was great.

If you had to choose one book that captures the spirit of Newquay, which would it be and why?

The Surf Atlas, published by Gestalten, and edited by a Newquay local. It’s a phenomenally beautiful book, celebrating waves around the world, and the people brave enough to surf them. It’s a coffee table book that invites you to slow down, relax, and be left in awe at the images contained within.

Are there any up-and-coming authors we should be watching for in 2026?

I’m really excited for Bad, Bad Place by Frances Crawford, publishing in February 2026. It’s a sweeping debut crime novel set in Glasgow – a long way from Cornwall! The author is incredibly inspiring and is an advocate of lifelong learning, having graduated from university aged 60.

Do you have a favourite Cornish author or story that holds a special place in your heart?

I love Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier. She lived in Fowey on Cornwall’s south coast, and the local landscape features heavily in so much of her work. The smuggling, piracy, adventure and romance – all set within Cornwall’s magical wooded estuaries – makes for a classic page turner.

Where is your favourite spot to curl up with a book?

In summer, a perfectly sheltered cove near my house. You can people watch, enjoy a flask of tea and hear the sea in the distance when the tide is out. But winter calls for a comfy sofa, a soft blanket, a reading lamp and an endless supply of hot drinks!

Handpicked reads for coastal escapes

The Lost Folk by Lally Macbeth

Cornwall-based archivist and researcher Lally Macbeth sets out to revive Britain’s folk customs at a time when many are at risk of being forgotten. The Lost Folk reminds us that folk culture is for everyone – it’s all around us, living and evolving. A fresh and compelling voice in British folk writing, Macbeth’s book invites readers to reconnect with tradition in all its charm and eccentricity.

Our Oaken Bones by Merlin Hanbury-Tennison

Hidden within Bodmin Moor lies an ancient Atlantic temperate rainforest– a place of refuge for author Merlin Hanbury-Tennison and his family. Our Oaken Bones tells the story of life on their upland hill farm and its journey to restoration, weaving nature writing with a deeply personal tale of hardship, healing and hope.

The Lip by Charlie Carrol

A novel about the side of Cornwall rarely seen by visitors, The Lip is a poignant and emotional story of childhood, isolation and mental health. It follows Melody Janie as a stranger enters her life, and she is forced to confront not only him but also the tragedies faced in her past. Shortlisted for numerous awards, The Lip is a novel that will stay with you.

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

The first in Susan Cooper’s award-winning The Dark Is Rising Sequence, this classic tale begins with the discovery of an ancient map during a Cornish family holiday, marking the start of an unforgettable quest to find mythical treasure. A coming-of-age adventure story of light and dark, good and evil, it’s one that adults will enjoy just as much as younger readers.

A dog called Dreckly by Anna Wildon

Perfect for little ones, this charming Cornish picture book follows two siblings as they try to help a very scruffy lost dog find a home, and encounter lots of adventures along the way. Families with four-legged members will certainly recognise a few of Dreckly’s traits in this beautifully illustrated and wonderfully warm story.

Visit Clemo Books: 33b Bank St, Newquay, TR7 1DJ

www.Clemobooks.co.uk