7 Healthy Must-Reads for the Beach this Summer

Now that summer has unofficially begun, it's time to sit back and relax -- with a book. Leisurely reading a book on the beach or at the pool is a fantastic way to de-stress and learn something new. We rounded up the best health- and nutrition-related books that will keep your interest and maybe even inspire you to be just a little bit fitter and happier!

1. Unlimited: How to Build an Exceptional Life. This book is penned by Jillian Michaels and is a deep-dive into helping you figure out what's holding you back -- be it with your weight, your inability to stick to a workout program, or even relationships issues. This is the closest you can get to talking to the former Biggest Loser trainer herself!

2. The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. This title is a tale of what we eat, where it comes from and, really, why we should care. Author Michael Pollan takes you on a fascinating adventure into what's really on your plate. For your younger beach buddies, take a look at Omnivore's Dilemma for Kids.

3. The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. Possibly with the longest title ever, this book by Gretchen Rubin hits on what's really important in life: satisfaction and joy. Follow her on her journey in this book, and pick up a few tips on how to boost your own happiness, too!

4. The Life You Want: Get Motivated, Lose Weight, and Be Happy. Known best as Oprah's trainer, author Bob Greene really gets at the heart of weight gain and weight loss in this book. Through research and plenty of soul-searching, this book will captivate anyone who has -- or is currently -- struggling with his or her weight.

5. Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir. If you like your summer beach reads on the lighter, more comedic side, this memoir by Jennette Fulda is your book. This captivating yet humorous tale is not only entertaining, it's also inspirational to make you want to get moving and eating better, too.

6. Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen. If you're a runner, this book is a must for your summer-reading list. In the non-fiction book, author Christopher McDougall examines the world's best runners and makes a strong case that, when it comes to running, most of us are doing it wrong.

7. The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite. If you've ever wondered why you really can't stop eating after one chip, David Kessler's book is for you. This science-based yet easy-to-understand book shares a fascinating look at why we're all so darn hungry.