Any post that includes book/movie lists and seasonal atmosphere automatically becomes my favorite, as it combines the two things that bring me most inspiration in life.

What I love most about summer is the careless and fun energy it brings along, as if you’re suddenly a child again, enjoying school holidays. Even if you’re working 9-5. And I love when books perfectly convey that atmosphere of freedom, that make you feel like you’re on a long vacation.

A few years ago I wrote the first part of the summery literature, and now it’s time to add more books to that list.

Peter Boland – The Beach Hut Murders

If I’m being completely honest, this book’s still in my TBR list, but I’m planning to read it next. It’s actually the second book in a series about three elderly friends who own a charity shop and solve murder mysteries.

While it’s not the most intense detective story, I still absolutely enjoyed the first part, as it has this cozy and heartfelt atmosphere, filled with cute moments and good English humor. The second book takes place in an English seaside town and promises to be just as good as its predecessor. And, of course, have lots of lovely seasonal details.

Rafael Sabatini – Captain Blood: His Odyssey

If you love adventure stories, especially something similar to Pirates of the Caribbean, you’ll definitely enjoy this novel as well. It follows Peter Blood, a respectable doctor, who enjoys his quiet life. But things go wrong when he gets convicted for treason and is sent to Barbados. And that marks the beginning of his adventurous life story of how he runs away from the island and becomes a pirate.

This isn’t really a strictly summery book but I feel like anything that includes tropical islands and sea can basically be considered as a seasonal read.

Colleen McCollough – The Thorn Birds

This one tells the story of Cleary family who one day receive an offer from their wealthy aunt to move to her big estate in Australia and work for her. They obviously accept the offer, since they have financial problems and it’s a million-to-one shot for them. The saga goes on for 50 years, following each family member, mainly focusing on the main character, Meggie Cleary, and her romantic relationship with priest Ralph de Bricassart.

Again, this isn’t a purely summer story, but the story takes place in Australia and has plenty of descriptions of hot weather and picturesque sceneries. So I’m counting it in.

Katerina Silvanova – Pioneer Summer

This story takes place at a pioneer camp in USSR in 1986, where the main character Volodya is sent to spend his holidays. This is his last summer as a pioneer, so he has to make the most of it. Things take an unexpected turn, when he falls in love with his camp group leader.

This book is perfect for summer is actually my favorite from this list. Reading it I felt truly nostalgic about the Soviet period, which is weird considering I was born long after it collapsed. Yet somehow I always feel a strange yearning for it. It also has this bittersweet feeling of childhood and it ending soon, leaving nothing but memories. The story itself is interesting, just like the characters are, especially when you see them growing and evolving within that short amount of time. And, of course, it is filled with gorgeous summery sceneries and traditional seasonal activities, like a bonfire evening, a dance party, swimming in the lake etc.

Maxim Gorky – Summerfolk

I’m actually reading this one right now, and I can’t tell much about it, as I don’t know where the story’s taking us. It’s a play that tells about the countryside life and the people who live in the village, aka the summerfolk. They spend their days going to each other houses, having tea ceremonies, poetry readings and philosophical discussions. And I think I like the last part the most, as the characters constantly have debates about what’s the meaning of life, what’s right and wrong. So there’s definitely a lot to think about.