Outer Banks Books For Everyone

Everyone loves the Outer Banks; there’s no doubt about that. We’ve come up with a way to get your beach fix no matter where you are! From the romance enthusiast to mystery and crime junkies, there’s a novel based on the Outer Banks just for you! Our list of some of our favorite Outer Banks-inspired books will make sure you find a new favorite beach read.

For The Murder Mystery Lover…

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Elements: Mystery, Suspense, Romance

Ages: 17 and Up

Where The Crawdads Sing is a fictional tale of the “Marsh Girl”, Kya Clark. She’s lived alone in Barkley Cove; a small North Carolina coastal town. Set in the late 1960s, Barkley Coves’ shining star, Chase, is found dead. With no strong leads to help solve this mystery and being the town outcast, Kya is blamed for Chase’s murder. As you read, you’ll learn that Kya isn’t the wild native that Barkley Coves’ residents claim her to be. She’s, in fact, a kind, sensitive, and intelligent girl who has survived alone in the marsh since her elementary years. The fictional town of Barkley Cove is reminiscent of Hatteras Island blended with Wanchese. It makes you think of the OBX during a simpler time.

For Lovers of Legends & Folklore…

Outer Banks Mysteries & Seaside Stories by Charles Harry Whedbee

Ages: 10 and Up

Elements: Mysteries, Folklore, Tales, and Legends

Outer Banks Mysteries and Seaside Stories tell local legends of the Outer Banks’ past! In this book, you’ll read stories that have a rich history. You’ll also find some stories that might just change your perspective of local history. Outer Banks Mysteries and Seaside Stories is a perfect book of tales to tell around a beach bonfire!

For The Smaller Kids…

Tommy Tuna: A Tale of a Big Fish by Suzanne Tate

Elements: Children’s’ Storytelling, Education

Ages: Children 2 and Up

Tommy Tuna: A Tale of a Big Fish follows the story of Tommy a Tuna fish living in the seas of the Outer Banks. This fast-moving story is perfect for little ones! They’ll learn all about tuna and how they live in the ocean and how to conserve the environment they live in!

For The History Buff…

Hoi Toide on the Outer Banks: The Story of the Ocracoke Brogue by Walt Wolfram

Elements: History, Dialect, and Culture

Ages: 10 and Up

The Outer Banks is home to a unique accent known as brogue. Hoi Toide on the Outer Banks: The Story of the Ocracoke Brogue showcases the unique dialect of the Outer Banks and provides information on the root of the dialogue, it’s development, and a ‘Ocrocokisms’!

For The Hopeless Romantic…

Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks

Elements: Heartbreak, Romance

Ages: 17 and Up

Written by Nicholas Sparks, Nights In Rodanthe tells the story of a 45-year-old woman who has to start over after her husband leaves her for a younger woman. When she comes to Rodanthe to care for a friend’s home, she’s surprised by an unlikely guest. Stuck together in a storm, the two strangers begin to comfort each other and start a new beginning! Nicholas Sparks is a North Carolina native. While only Nights in Rodanthe takes place on the OBX, his other novels host North Carolina beach towns as the backdrop. Wilmington for the novel The Last Song, New Bern for Safe Haven, and A Walk To Remember in Beaufort!