By CRACKYL Staff

Firefighters—you deserve a break, and what’s better than posting up with a good book on the beach (or anywhere with a comfy chair and some peace). We know you crave stories that capture the camaraderie, adrenaline, and heart of firefighting, even when relaxing.

Here are some captivating fictional beach reads featuring firefighters:

For the Action Junkie:

• Fire Lover, by Joseph Wambaugh: From the critically acclaimed, nationally bestselling author of The Onion Field, comes the astonishing true story about the hunt for a brilliant psychopath who lived a double life filled with professional tributes and terrifying secrets.
• Backdraft, by Kirk Mitchell: The novelization of the 1991 film, backdraft tells the story of Stephen and Brian McCaffrey, the sons of a firefighter killed in the line of duty, who must come to terms with their relationship with each other as they face the dangers and challenges of their father’s profession in a city where an arsonist is on the loose

For a Touch of Romance:

• Things You Save in a Fire, by Katherine Center This novel is a character-driven story that follows Francesca “Franny” Marino, a firefighter who experiences a personal tragedy. It explores themes of love, loss, and resilience.
• The Smoke Jumper, by Nicholas Evans: A story of two best friends and the woman they both love, The Smoke Jumper combines pulse-pounding suspense with an unforgettable love story. The author tells a story of love and loyalty, of guilt and honor set against the epic backdrop of wilderness firefighting and frontline photojournalism

For a Brotherly Bond Story:

• Report from Engine Co. 82, by Dennis Smith: From his bawdy and brave fellow firefighters to the hopeful, hateful, beautiful and beleaguered residents of the poverty-stricken district where he works, Dennis Smith tells the story of a brutalizing yet rewarding profession.
• Report from Ground Zero, by Dennis Smith: This is Smith’s vivid account of the rescue efforts by the fire and police departments and emergency medical teams as they rushed to face a disaster that would claim thousands of lives. Smith takes readers inside the minds and lives of the rescuers at Ground Zero as he shares stories about these heroic individuals and the effect their loss had on their families and their companies. 

So grab your beach bag and sunscreen, and settle in with one of these entertaining reads.