As exam season finishes and the school year winds down, we all have one thing to look forward to – summer break! Whether relaxing by the beach, travelling, hanging out with friends and family, or picking up a hobby, we all enjoy summertime solace. Without tonnes of assignments looming, summer is also a great time to catch up on reading. Here are a few books where the storylines are set in the summer season.
1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
This classic children’s book is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. A barn spider named Charlotte befriends Wilbur, a livestock pig. Charlotte then works to save little Wilbur’s life, as he is at risk of being slaughtered for food. She writes messages about Wilbur on her web to convince the farmer to keep Wilbur alive. With these words praising Wilbur, he – and the farm – become famous.
Much of this book takes place in the summertime and provides vivid pictures of life on a farm. It is a cosy and fitting book to read on your holiday. Though it is considered a children’s book, Charlotte’s Web is widely enjoyed by all ages. It has also been adapted into a live-action film and an animation.
2. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
This romantic comedy exploring identity and wealth provides a bizarre peak into the world of the ultra-rich. Chinese-American professor Rachel Chu heads to Singapore for the summer with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, to attend his best friend’s wedding. Unbeknownst to Rachel, her boyfriend comes from an ultra-rich Singaporean family, and now she is doing what she can to fit in and be accepted by Nicholas’ judgemental mother.
3. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
This 2001 book highlights the lives of four secondary school girls who have been best friends since birth. Now, they are spending the summer apart for the first time. One of the girls discovers a pair of jeans that seems to have magical properties. It fits each of the four girls perfectly, even though they are all different sizes. They share these magical pants among themselves throughout the summer to stay connected. This coming-of-age story embraces the complexities of friendship and family.
4. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
One of the most prominent names in the romance genre is Nicholas Sparks. His 2008 book, The Last Song, follows Ronnie, who is dealing with the aftermath of her parents’ divorce and isolates herself in anger. Ronnie’s mother sends her to spend the summer with her father in a sleepy beach town in the US state of North Carolina.
The Last Song is a must-read if you are searching for a book that will tug at your heartstrings and transport you to a world of beaches, summertime, and a serene home life.
5. The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
This book by Jeanne Birdsall is one of many in The Penderwick Series. It is a collection of stories depicting the lives of four sisters, each with her own unique personality. The girls are just starting their summer holiday in a beautiful estate called Arundel, where they will explore the gardens, play with animals, and cook delicious gingerbread. The girls also befriend a young boy named Jeffrey, who joins in their adventures.
