Books Set By The Sea

Tuesday 12 January 2021

Love your books with a splash of the sea? Here you’ll find the crème de la crème of contemporary set against a backdrop of the ocean.

The soothing nature of the ocean has long been a device used in literature, and as a nation who thrive on sun, sea and surf during the summer months, it’s no surprise that expansive bodies of water play a key character in many of our favourite books. And as many of us will spend the summer break immersing ourselves in the salty goodness of the sea, why not also pick a suitable tome that pays homage to our love for all things ocean-related.  For most of us all good summer holidays conjure up images of the sea, and this list of five books sets the scene perfectly.

Latest news

Brooke Davis' No One's Looking Tour

The internationally bestselling author of Lost & Found hits the road!

Book Cub Questions for The Frock Shop

Extract from The Frock Shop

Q&A with Michael Robotham

We spoke to Michael about his latest book 'Tell Me Something True'

Michael Robotham’s Tell Me Something True Book Tour

Meet bestselling author Michael Robotham as he tours Australia to promote his new book Tell Me Something True.

Father’s Day Gift Guide | 2026

From thrillers to history, inspiring memoirs to ground-breaking fiction, we have a great read for every dad.

Junior Book Club Guide for Eighty-Nine Questions for After

Lots for young readers to discuss in the touching middle-grade novel!

The Burn Book Tour

The Burn extract

Book Club Questions for The Burn

Reads with Rhythm

Dr Norman Swan The Brain Cliff tour

Myf Warhurst is going on tour!

Book Club Guide for Rat Daniels

Questions for your group to discuss this stand-out Australian debut.

Read an extract of Alma Vampires

Start reading the new paranormal romance series!

Amy Remeikis is going on tour!

Enter the Fantasy Realm

Hachette Australia, with The Realm, presents ENTER THE FANTASY REALM! Join Tigest Girma, Louisa Carmody and Christy Anne Jones in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to talk all things fantasy.

Read an Extract: Die to Love

The chaos continues in Hearts & Heathens Book 2!

Read an Extract: Middle Rage

Part confessional, part manifesto, Middle Rage is full of Myf Warhurst's humour, warmth and wisdom, with some tips thrown in to help women live their best middle-aged lives.

In the Good Books with Luke Bateman - Hachette Recommended Reads

Explore our featured reads on the In the Good Books podcast

Start Reading No One's Looking

Read an extract from No One's Looking, a comedic and uplifting novel from bestselling author Brooke Davis. Out October 13 2026!

Hachette Memories of Lost & Found

Our staff share how special Brooke Davis' debut was - we’d love to hear your memories too!

Brooke Davis' Letter to Booksellers

The lovely Brooke, a bookseller herself, checks in with her colleagues across Australia to say a big hello.

Alice Oseman is coming to ANZ!

Information on Alice Oseman's - author of Heartstopper - trip to Australia and New Zealand.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.