A seasonal reading moment that stands out to me each year is when I can finally take my book outside and settle into the plush, green grass. I no longer need a sweater for a walk. It’s the first time I can read outdoors comfortably again.
Having a fantastic book you can’t put down often feels like having a companion. I bring mine along to the porch or on a trip to Salmon Brook Park. While reading serves as an escape in the colder months, there’s a shift as the seasons change, from cozy winter reading to lighter spring days, followed by the warm freedom of summer.
I notice my habits shifting slowly as spring tips delicately into summer. The abundant sunlight makes everything feel a little brighter, and I find myself craving lighter, more hopeful stories. There’s more to do now—vacations, picnics, barbecues—and I tend to read in shorter, more flexible moments. I no longer seek the dark shadows of mysteries. Instead, I reach for books that feel refreshing or quietly curious.
In many ways, it takes intention to make time for reading during this busy season. The days are longer, but often filled with gardening, yard work, and family activities. There’s the end-of-school-year rush, and time spent outdoors whenever possible. Sometimes, we only gather inside on rainy days.
Here are a few books I’m looking forward to reading this summer:
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke: Within a labyrinth of endless hallways lies an ocean, and Piranesi spends his days charting the tides of this strange and beautiful world. His life is devoted to exploration until another person appears, revealing secrets about where he has been all along. This atmospheric novel offers a unique kind of escape and would make an excellent short book club read. Perfect for fans of mythology and subtle mystery.
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert: This sweeping story of love and adventure follows the successful Whittaker family through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Henry Whittaker’s daughter, Alma, inherits both her father’s fortune and his fascination with the natural world, eventually becoming a botanist herself. A thoughtful scientist, Alma falls in love with an artist, and together they explore the mysteries of nature in very different ways. This spellbinding novel captured my heart years ago, and I’ve been waiting for the right time to reread it. It would make an excellent audiobook, especially for a summer road trip or sightseeing adventure. Nature lovers and fans of literary fiction alike will find much to enjoy here.
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow: Sir Una Everlasting was once a legendary knight, her story passed down through the centuries. Years later, a scholar becomes captivated by Una’s tale, and the two become unexpectedly intertwined across time. To tell the story fully, history itself may need to be rewritten. This sweeping, time-bending novel would pair well with a quiet afternoon at McLean Game Refuge. A thoughtful choice for history lovers and fans of lyrical storytelling.
Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber: Nestled in the shadows of the Alabama mountains, the town of Wicklow welcomes Anna Kate home after the death of her beloved Granny. Though she doesn’t plan to stay long, she finds herself drawn to the family-owned Blackbird Café—and to the town’s famous blackbird pie. As Anna uncovers more about her family’s past, she is surprised to find her heart healing slowly. This warm, magical story is the perfect vacation read, equally suited for relaxing by the pool or listening to as an audiobook during a walk along the bike trail. Readers who enjoy heartfelt stories with a touch of romance and magic will especially love this one.
You can place holds on these titles at the Granby Public Library, and then bring your book along to Grassroots or Julien’s for a treat. The library’s Summer Reading program has the theme of “Plant a Seed, Read,” which is ideal to explore nature and inspiration alike.
I hope to give you a simple challenge this summer: pick up at least one book, read outside for ten minutes, and remember that it doesn’t have to be a big commitment to be meaningful.
When I reflect on the season, some of my fondest childhood memories are tied to summer reading. There are so many ways to spend our time—swimming, traveling, gathering around bonfires. Summer is filled to the brim with activities, from weddings to pool parties, but it also holds space for precious moments of rest. In between the busyness and the fun, there is something comforting about setting aside time for yourself, slipping away to explore new ideas.
That’s where I find a quiet kind of joy. In many ways, reading becomes my companion during this season.