Are you headed to the beach in August to soak up the rays and enjoy the cool ocean breezes? Fred Astaire Dance Studios compiled a list of the top five beach reads about dancing to keep you entertained.

If you’re one of the many Americans packing a bag and heading to the beach this summer, you’re in good company. Leisure travel was slated to skyrocket this summer as people resumed vacationing following the pandemic outbreak, the U.S. Travel Association reported. Americans are on track to spend $827 billion on travel in 2022.

Whether you are riding the waves in Maui or enjoying the calming scenery at the Outer Banks, you’re going to need some reading material to achieve maximum vacation relaxation levels. Fred Astaire Dance Studios encourages you to pick up a good beach about dancing. After all, some of our favorite ballroom dances got their start in beach towns. The Carolina Shag is a swing dance that gained popularity near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in the 1940s.

Here are our top five picks to take to the shore.

• Tiny Pretty Things. Written by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton, “Tiny Pretty Things” is a young adult novel about three female students at a prestigious ballet school in Manhattan who compete for the title of prima. After you finish the book, tune in to Netflix to watch the popular series based on the novel. Check out this trailer from the popular Netflix series.

• I Was a Dancer. In his memoir, Jacques d’Amboise tells the story of his life as a dancer. d’Amboise spent more than three decades as principal of the New York City Ballet and is one of the country’s most well-renowned classical dancers. Beginning with his childhood in Massachusetts, the memoir details his dancing journey, including when he realized it was time to retire. Take a look at d’Amboise in action performing a duet from “Swan Lake” with Carla Fracci.

• Instructions for Dancing. Nicola Yoon’s New York Times bestseller tells the tale of a couple who find love on the dance floor while learning to waltz, foxtrot, and tango for a dance competition.

• The Last Dance of the Debutante. Set in 1953, Julia Kelly’s novel tells the story of a group of debutantes as they prepare to be presented to Queen Elizabeth II, marking the last year debutantes would be presented at court.

• Steps in Time: An Autobiography. We had to include a celebrated autobiography of one of our favorite dancers. In “Steps in Time,” Fred Astaire tells the story of his life in his own words. The autobiography includes a foreword by Ginger Rogers, Astaire’s favorite dance partner. Check out this clip of Fred Astaire combining dancing with another fun summer activity — golf!

Learn to Dance at FADS!

Fred Astaire Dance Studios offers ballroom dancing lessons for individuals and couples at all ages and stages of their ballroom dancing journey. Our ballroom dancing lessons help improve your physical fitness and mental health while teaching you a lifelong hobby to enjoy.

If reading about dancing sparked your interest in brushing up on your skills or you need to resume lessons when your vacation ends, contact your local Fred Astaire Dance Studios location to schedule a ballroom dancing lesson.