(Image by Daphne, used under Creative Commons License)
“summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to quiet people. for those few months, you’re not required to be who everyone thinks you are, and that cut-grass smell in the air and the chance to dive into the deep end of a pool give you a courage you don’t have the rest of the year. you can be grateful and easy, with no eyes on you, and no past. summer just opens the door and lets you out.”
― Deb Caletti, Honey, Baby, Sweetheart
Spring has given way to Summer, a time of soaring temperatures, high humidity, sunburn and a reproductively active insect population. Those are the bad things, the things it has become all too easy to whine about and moan about year after year. When I was a kid summers were nirvana, they were the very essence of life, they were all things good in the world encapsulated in an all-too-brief time between lessons and homework. A few years ago I came to the sudden realization that as an adult I had developed the habit of letting the summer months pass by in a haze that had little to do with the heat. I would look back over the months of June, July and August and wonder what I had done and the sad truth was that much of it was spent parked in front of a television wishing for cool weather and a return of the passions that blossomed during the other three months of the year.
It was then that I decided no more. Reaching back into the filed memories of a magical childhood I recalled Summer Reading Programs and times spent outdoors exploring and creating adventures, alone and with friends. I started making Summer Reading Lists and vowing to be present in my Summers. And every year I’ve gotten a little better at doing this, so much so that this year I am more excited than ever to experience Summer. What follows are the ingredients for a recipe of what I imagine a good Summer will be. I may use them all, I may only try a few, and it is safe to say I will grab more than a few surprise ingredients in the heat of the moment. But one thing is for certain, this summer is going to be cookin’.
What are some of the ingredients of a good Summer?
–cold, sweet watermelon under the summer sun
–suddenly craved ice cream cones with the ice cream running down your hand
–tall, cold, sweaty glasses of iced tea
–homemade peach or mango salsa
–a plate piled high with thick slices of garden fresh tomatoes
–the sight and sound of neighborhood fireworks
–early morning trail runs while watching the sun peek over the tree tops
–star/moon gazing on hot, still nights
–grilled meat and veggies and glass of sweet red wine
–emerging from a frigid, air-conditioned theater after indulging in a popcorn flick
–water balloon fights
–country music You Tube playlists
–spontaneous, at-home, “I’m in the mood to watch…” movie nights
–walking in the rain
–fellowship with family and friends
–day trip adventures
–whim-driven summer reading
–early Saturday morning Farmer’s Markets
–reliving the joy of immersing oneself in a pool of cool water
And do you know what else are ingredients of a good Summer? The uninspired remarks about the heat and humidity, the shared agony of the inevitable sunburn, and the indoor and outdoor war against the insect horde. For those are things that bind us together and if used sparingly are tried and true fixins of a memorable summer.
__________________________
Summer would not be Summer for me if I didn’t create a reading list. It is one of the few times of year I allow myself to indulge in what is clearly Fantasy. For it is all but impossible for me to get through the number of books I would like to in a Summer and even if I did the end result would always be largely different from the initial blueprint. Still, who am I to resist such an exquisite pleasure. I offer the following visual 2012 Summer Reading list without comment.
Then followed that beautiful season… Summer….
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
What about you, dear readers? Any plans for Summer? Are there any must-add ingredients you wish to share?
I have already had the pleasure of reading a number of Summer-related posts. If you have done one or more I would love it if you would leave links below. Welcome to Summer 2012! May each of ours be as special as they were, or as we wish they would have been, when we were children.
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I must admit, even as a kid, I didn’t like summer much. There was this period around 2-5pm that I called the “slug” period, where it was impossible to feel anything but sluggish. But there *were* a few things I liked – going to the Frio river with my cousins, or really, doing anything at all with my cousins! Actually, that’s about the only thing that comes to mind right now. I remember enjoying summer for the first time after we moved to Wisconsin. I enjoyed smores over an open fire in my in-law’s backyard, and keeping the windows open to let in a cool breeze, and gauzy curtains that shifted in the wind, and playgrounds, and so many things. 🙂
btw, have you read Honey Baby Sweetheart? I’ve read several of Caletti’s books, but haven’t gotten to that one.
Our parents were really good at the ‘get outside and play’ mandate. Initially cable tv didn’t exist, and we never got it outside of town where I lived, so there wasn’t much daytime tv to distract us. We climbed trees, damned up the creek so that we could skinny dip, road bikes on dirt trails, played versions of football or baseball, took trips into town to go to the library, played with hot wheels and army men out in the dirt, caught tadpoles and later frogs…we had adventures. Did a lot of make-believe. I remember endlessly reading during summers. On summer road trips I would bring piles of books and read through them all, sometimes re-reading several of them. I re-read some library books several times over before returning them. I remember reading various Star Wars books seemingly endlessly. Mom and dad would take us into town to eat ice cream. I just loved summers even though I wasn’t ever a fan of the heat.
I hadn’t even heard of Caletti before today. Was searching ‘summer’ quotes on Goodreads and liked that one. Sorry! Do you recommend?
I like Deb Caletti a lot, mostly. I’ve tried Honey Baby Sweetheart a couple times and never got into it, but The Nature of Jade and Wild Roses are both excellent books. She writes YA, but it’s very late YA, 18-20 sort of age, and she does it really well.
My mom was always trying to get us to go outside, but we had a tiny backyard that was full of ticks (courtesy of the people next door, who didn’t take care of their many, many dogs, boo), and three out of four of us hated being outdoors. I never liked it, even as a baby. In fact, my mom likes to tell the story about how when I first learned to walk, she would take me outside, put me on a blanket, and take my shoes away, because I would refuse to get off the blanket without them, and then she could, say, hang up laundry without worrying about me running off. The only places I’ve ever learned to love being outdoors is out at the Frio River in west Texas, and up in Wisconsin. I don’t think the fire ants, wasps, scorpions, spiders, and rattlesnakes helped encourage me to go outside growing up. Honestly, I think it’s just Texas.
I’ll have to keep my eye out in the store to look at these books. As I said, I had not heard of the author before. But I don’t frequent the teen section of BN (assuming that is where they are?) as much as I do the YA section. Even then I’m generally not browsing but am looking for specific authors/books.
Ah, ticks! Living near and playing in trees meant ticks were a part of our summers too. It does sound like a Texas thing, LOL! I don’t think I could live in the South. Tulsa was too much for me and sometimes I think Kansas City is too far south.
Just had to let you know that Deb Caletti put up a thanks on Facebook: “Thanks to all who are recently sharing my quote about summer, from HONEY, BABY, SWEETHEART:” and afterwards she quotes the exact same lines you did above. 🙂
That is fun! It is a great quote!
I always loved summer as well. For me it meant incredible trips to my grandparents farm. I fondly remember those years every summer.
As for your summer reading list it looks great to me! I can’t wait to read reviews of the books you get to from your pool. I’m reading 24 Frames by John Scalzi right now. I also hope to get to the latest Eddie Lacrosse novel in July. I plan on fitting in some Ray Bradbury and Heinlein juvenile’s as well.
Other plans include a 10 day Boy Scout camp adventure with my son and spending time at the lake with the entire family. Enjoying fireworks with the Andersons and hopefully making it to the Farmer’s Market.
I wish everyone an adventured filled summer.
Oh yeah my mom took us to the library a lot in the summer. Also I remember the local movie theater playing older movies for a dollar each wednesday morning and we’d go to those all the time. I saw lots of classics like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Sound of Musio, The Parent Trap, Which Mountain, The Cat From Outer Space, Benji movies, and tons more each summer. Really fun times.
I also love going to the ballpark in the summer. Grilling out. Playing ladder golf or lawn darts.
Ah, the ol’ summer movies! We did that as well. Every Wednesday, if I remember correctly. Saw a LOT of older movies that way and a lot of Three Stooges before the movies. In those days we used to sit in either the very front row of the very back. Not sure what was wrong with me. Wouldn’t want to do either of those now!
Ladder golf is great. We just played this past weekend with the family for Father’s Day.
I’ll be looking forward to hearing the report from the campout. I have some really fond memories of camping for Scouts.
Part of the reason Dark Jenny is on my list is because of what you mention, book 4 coming out in July. Gotta get with the program!
I’ve been meaning to read “Dragonflight” for a while now. I’ve read a lot of McCaffrey’s other books, but none of the Pern books that she’s most famous for.
I am hoping to group read this one mid-August. It has been on my list for a long time and I’ve not read any of McCaffrey’s books.
Oooh, awesome. Count me in!
Will do!
Sign me up as well, Dragonflight is on my TBR pile, and has been for a couple of months, so it won’t hurt if I put it off a little longer to take part in a group read.
Great Adam, I will!
How well I connect with your days of not enjoying Summer as much as one should…I didn’t watch tv, but I did bemoan the heat and humidity. I’m a Winter girl, to be sure, and there’s nothing I like better than snow and fireplaces. Still, we can’t while away our lives not enjoying the Present and the gift that it is. I, too, consciously make an effort to enjoy Summer now, as a time to cycle, entertain friends for whom I don’t take time to cook for during the year, and of course read as much as possible.
I’m so pleased to see Wonderstruck on your list. When I finished reading it aloud to my class, after I turned the last page, they broke into spontaneous applause. It is truly special, take it from the best group I’ve taught in 28 years. (With whom I’m meeting next Wednesday to discuss Heart of a Samauri, a novel they chose to read on their own for our summer book club. More to come on that later.)
It does take a conscious effort for me to do so, much more than any other season. It isn’t that I don’t waste days in autumn, winter and spring, but the weather in those seasons inspires me more and makes me more cognizant of my days. I don’t have a desire to escape the weather the way that I do in summer.
You mention cycling and that is what running has become to me and is why I am very optimistic about this summer. I’ve been outside so much more in June simply because of running 3-4 days a week. And I enjoy starting my day outdoors, getting some sun and fresh air.
What a cool story about Wonderstruck. You must be a good reader! Sounds like a really great class, hope you all have fun at your meeting next Wednesday.
hmmm mid August for Dragonflight eh? hmmm.. I might have to read it sooner but will join in the discussion for sure.. the reason being, if I read dragonflight I will have to read dragonquest and the white dragon also ..and I’m not a speed reader to get them all read in 2 weeks before RIP begins! have no fear I will be looking forward to what everyone says about my favorite book(s)!!! (and be injecting my own thoughts)!
I read a number of Anne of Green Gables only a few years ago for the first time and can’t believe how much I enjoyed them even as an “elder” (old fart). heh.
I’m glad you’ll be joining us for the discussion, regardless of when you read the books. It will be fun having your perspective given your affection for the books.
The Anne books are so enjoyable. They are such a celebration of reading and imagination and building good relationships with others. Love em.
What a great list! I will make one, myself! I love your reading list, too. That’s a great idea. I’m trying to let myself read more ‘naturally’ this year — just whatever strikes my fancy — but I have a soft spot in my heart for summer reading lists…
I do that same thing, Daphne, but it is just too much fun to make lists. I couldn’t resist. And the nice thing is that when I do make these summer lists I inevitably end up reading two or three off the list which helps whittle down the pile.
What a very poetic reflection on summer. I despise hot weather, but sell it well. And you have some books there that I look forward to seeing reviews for! Snuff, of course, and Dragonflight (must reread that myself soon), and also Anne of Green Gables. I LOVE L. M. Montgomery’s books, as you may have already figured out from reading my blog. 😉
Yes, I’ve been aching to re-read the Anne of Green Gables books for some time now. My wife bought me the set for Christmas and I’m ready to get cracking on them.
I’m determined to have a good time this summer, hot weather be darned!
I loved Summer as a kid, and I still do, even if it’s a bit more abbreviated here than when I grew up in SoCal. Swimming (lots!), hiking, climbing trees, barbecues, the smell of new-mown grass, home made ice cream (especially my mom’s peach ice cream!), trips to the library and reading, nights “camping out” in the back yeard when it was really, really hot, going to the beach, picking berries, peaches and oranges right off the bush and tree, picking avocados and taking the full lugs to the warehouse to sell them, washing the car in the early morning with my dad, lots more.
That’s a nice summer reading list, seems like a lot of books, but I realize both that you may read only some of them, may read a few others instead, and that I’m a slower reader than you are.
My list is topped with LEVIATHAN WAKES, which I am now about 100 pages into but, oh no! A library book I have to drop everything for! Plus the hot-air balloon festival is this weekend, and the art show in the Gorge, and the classic car show, and the Framer’s Market, and… seems like everything is this weekend or next!
So LEVIATHAN WAKES, CALIBAN’S WAR, PHOENIX RISING, THE RETRIEVAL ARTIST short story collection, DEATH AND TAXES by Davis Dodge, and this is the time of year I often reread DANDELION WINE by Ray Bradbury. I suggest that one to you!
Oh, the smell of new-mown grass! How could I have forgotten that. I don’t particularly love mowing, but I love that smell. Those are great memories, Richard and reading them brings a flood of my own back to me. One of the things I think I need to make sure I take time doing this summer is sitting outdoors with my wife and daughter and talking about special summers we’ve had.
It sounds like you have a great weekend planned! I decided to buy Phoenix Rising after seeing it on your site, used some of my Father’s Day BN gift card for that one. It sounds like a really fun book.
Yes, my list is long and like I said it is unlikely that I will get that many books read, what with the fitness time and games I want to play and work that needs to be done around the house and time with friends and family. But that is okay. Always trying to strike the right balance and keep the priorities where they need to be, with reading being a luxury.
I’ve read Dandelion Wine and it is a fantastic book. I was actually thinking of adding it to my list because of Bradbury’s recent death as it would be great to honor his passing with a re-read of it. May do so, but for the moment my copy has to go to Jeff who has yet to read it.
Speaking of Dandelion Wine I forgot borrow that from you on Wednesday night. 🙁
Oh poop! I forgot all about it or I would have pulled it upstairs with the magazines I grabbed for you. Make sure to get it from me on the 4th if we don’t see each other before then.
What a great post! I love your evocative memories and intent to get back into Summer! You’ve inspired me – I’m going to sit down and write about my childhood summers, and I’m going to formulate something of a loose plan myself. And I’m retired now (my first summer or retirement!) so I can DO a lot of stuff that I dream up! Thanks for this!
One childhood activity I remember with odd affection: I’d be lying on my bed (I’d have been 7, 8, 9, maybe 10) on a summer’s afternoon, with a breeze stirring the lace curtains, and the shadows of clouds would brush across my pillow. From my angle I couldn’t see the clouds, but I knew that’s where the shadows came from. For some reason, I thought there had to be some mathematic rhythm to their appearance, and many many times I’d put myself to sleep counting the seconds between them, and how long the shadows took to cross my pillow … ending with a nice summer nap. I never divined the formula for the clouds, but I certainly had one for drifting off to a lazy afternoon’s nap!
I hope you can share what you write about your summers, that would be great to read. Congrats on your retirement. I hope now that you really can do all that stuff that you dream up AND I hope you actually DO IT! 🙂
That sounds like a heavenly summer afternoon…it also makes me wish I could take a nap right now! I had the upper bunk in our room and could see right out the windows and I remember many lazy days gazing out at the clouds, or the stars at night. I loved breezes coming in through the windows and especially liked watching lightning during storms.
Love the list of early morning summer activities … well, except for early morning … anything – I’m not a morning person 🙂 And let me add picnic in the park/ at the beach/lake. Oh yeah – and the reading list – I haven’t read anything by Scalzi yet and have been meaning to for ages.
I didn’t used to be a morning person, but now that I’m exercising I actually really love mornings. Its nice to have the quiet time to myself. Also nice to get some fresh air before the heat becomes too much.
Scalzi is a favorite and I always recommend Old Man’s War as a starting point as I think it is his best book. But his nonfiction is great too.
I’ve heard a ton of good things about that Alex Bledsoe and the Chris Wooding.
I’ve got a copy of Levianthan Wakes that I hope to start reading next week, we’ll have to compare notes! 😀
ahh, summer. sky high humidity outside, and frigid air conditioning inside. I’m more of a spring/autumn windows open girl.
I’ve heard wonderful things about Wooding too which is why I picked up this series when Borders was going out of business. I’m a big fan of Alex Bledsoe. The Eddie LaCrosse series blends genres that I enjoy very much.
Yes, we’ll definitely have to compare LW notes. Hope we both enjoy it.
Autumn is my favorite, followed closely by spring.
I’m just a few days away from total knee replacement surgery so my Summer reading plans are going to be affected by how that turns out. But I do have David Brin’s EXISTENCE and Kim Stanley Robinson’s 2312 on the top of my Read Real Soon stack. I’ve read BLUE REMEMBERED EARTH, you’ll enjoy that Carl. I’ll be looking for your reviews of all those other intriguing books on your list.
I wish you all the very best during your surgery, George. I hope the recovery is speedy and as painless as possible. And during that time I do hope you get a lot of reading done. I’m looking forward to exchanging thoughts about Blue Remembered Earth. And to see your thoughts on both the other books, which are getting a lot of buzz around the internet.
I must confess I do prefer the latter half of the year, I love Autumn. That being said I do enjoy the longer days of Summer.
What a great looking set of books. I will definitely join you for your Dragonflight readalong – I’ve liked the look of that series for a while.
BTW I love most of these covers but particularly Retribution Falls.
Lynn 😀
Yes, Stephen Martiniere is a favorite artist and his Retribution Falls cover is great.
Glad to have you along for Dragonflight. It is long past time I ‘discover’ Anne McCaffrey.
The time of year from Sept 1st through Dec. 31st is traditionally my favorite time of year. Halloween, my birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas were reasons I was so fond of that time of year as a child and those things plus many others may be long for those months as an adult.
How lucky, having a birthday on Halloween – you have an excuse right there for a party every year. I love Halloween and Christmas – probably because I like dressing up and decorating the house. I also love the winter nights spent reading a creepy book so that I’m almost scared to turn off the lights and go upstairs (that sounds crazy really doesn’t it?)
Lynn 😀
Oops, sorry if that was unclear. It was meant to be a list in order of occurrence. First is Halloween, then my birthday on Nov. 21st, then Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I still love Halloween so don’t need an excuse for celebrating. I’m still a big kid. 🙂
And no, not crazy at all. I love reading scary books on cold dark nights. Especially ones that creep me out.
Oh, I’m all excited now for the RIP. Not that I want to wish summer away of course but I’m thinking of lots of creepy books! 😀
Lynn
That is me too, not going to wish summer away or spend too much time looking forward to the fall. Going to do my best to revel in each individual day.
Summer is my favourite month, even with all that complaining about the heat! I remember as a child I’d always have some sort of project; painting, reading, writing, making things. I really miss those long lazy months as a student.
You’ve got some wonderful books there. I just finished reading Snuff recently and loved it. Pratchett is on form:) And I see one of my favourite books from childhood, Anne of Green Gables there. Enjoy!
Snuff has been great thus far, I can see why you loved it as I am doing the same, especially hot on the heels of Thud! which I also really enjoyed.
I’m hoping to complete some projects myself this summer, a return in spirit to those childhood days you are referring to.
Summer really isn’t my favorite time of year–the heat!–but I have many fond memories of summer reading in the hammock. (Alas, I daren’t do that any more because of the creepy neighbor that Watches All The Time.) Summer is lemonade and corn on the cob and jazzy playlists (Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darrin, Diana Krall) and a light breeze on the back porch with a good read at hand. This summer I’m hoping for a nice mix of rereads (Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, maybe an Anne book or two) and new reads (Sherlock Holmes stories, J.L. Borges, perhaps something else).
Thanks, by the way, for the reminder to pay attention to summer and not just let it pass by.
We have had some hot days, but today Summer really hit, with 100+ temps and some high humidity. I kept a good attitude though and hunkered down inside with a good book! 🙂
Haven’t had any corn on the cob yet (probably missed the good window) but I do so love it.
Good play list! I spent the morning listening to a celtic music station on Pandora after seeing Brave yesterday. I was in the mood for that kind of music.
I read my first Holmes story last year and hope to read another come RIP time as I enjoyed it (Study in Scarlet). I’ve been craving some Tolkien reading too. Watched a few of the LOTR Ext. Edition extras earlier in the week, the parts about J.R.R. Tolkien. I love to pull those out every so often and just allow myself to be in awe of what he accomplished.
Our corn season doesn’t start until July, so I’m still waiting ! Good idea about the LOTR Tolkien bits–I know I’ve watched them before, but a refresher would be good right now.
I think ours might be too. Its been a long time since I’ve paid attention to it. My wife’s cousin usually finds a good stand and lets us know, so we probably haven’t missed it.
I haven’t done a summer post…to be honest summer hasn’t and doesn’t feel like it is ever going to arrive this year here in England!
I’d trade you, Jessica! I’ll try to send some of this hot, 100+ windy stuff your way.
Summer these days means thank goodness for air conditioning! Hope you enjoy Wonder Struck. I think Hugo is better but this one is almost as good.
I couldn’t agree more! I’m glad to hear that about Wonder Struck. It looks good and I did enjoy Hugo very much.
love love love summer! Too fleeting every year….
I took a couple of books from your summer reading list and added them to mine – thanks very much. I’ve been reading all mystery and a variety of non-fiction; adding some fantasy should round things out nicely.
Running along the lake, swimming and diving, biking, watermelon, Leon’s butterpecan custard, fresh strawberries, fireflies, the library on really hot afternoons, and playing on the swings with Teagan!! There is nothing like a two year old to make you experience summer in a good, old fashioned way.
Cheers to summer!
I’ll try not to think “yes, thankfully” to your first sentence, LOL! And this year so far I’ll actually mean it. I’ve been really enjoying my summer, what with the running and the fresh fruit and veggies and the efforts we’ve been making to embrace the season and enjoy it.
Your list of things makes my heart sing! I’ve already eaten more watermelon this year than the past few summers. Almost nothing takes me back to my own childhood like the taste of fresh watermelon.
And yes, kids are definitely a key to those good ol’ days.
I love book cover collages! Those look like a great bunch of books. Especially Anne of Green Gables which I am now itching to reread.
I am too, I almost dropped everything and started reading it today!