Even though I’ve been working a full-time job these last couple of years, summer still brings with it that sense of anticipation and excitement, reminiscent of long holidays without school, days spent at the beach with my family and having all the time in the world to do whatever I want. It is difficult to love summer as much as before though, especially when you have to slog through the day’s work in a stifling hot room, with clothes sticking to unknown parts of your body and trying not to think of the enticing beaches you could be at instead.  One thing that I love about summer though is that it’s a season closer to Autumn!

But there are still so many things that I love about this season. The longer days, the summer clothes, swimming in crystal clear water, the traditional festa, barbecues and lots of food, ICE-CREAM CONES, cold showers, drinking tea in the evenings (because it’s never too hot for tea) and reading outside in the waning light.

The first part of this summer has been spent in the company of the motley characters from Les Misérables. I have a couple more chapters left to finish it but I already consider it one of the best books I’ve ever read in my life. The story is long, compelling, sometimes extremely frustrating, but worth every second of it. It’s been a while since I’ve met such a multitude of fascinating characters that are so utterly human. I’ve never read a book that delves so deep into the soul of a person, and making you feel like the author is reading your soul as well. God knows how I’m going to cope once I finish it!

If I ever come out of 19th century France alive and whole, these are the books that I might venture to read this summer:

1. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
2. Daphnis and Chloe by Longus
3. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
4. Flights by Olga Tokarczuk
5. Half of a yellow sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
6. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
7. Shakespeare and Company: A History of the Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart

I might read all of them or nothing at all but these are the ones that have been on my radar lately.  I also want to catch up on the latest volume of Another Escape which is all about the underwater world, ocean conservation and the importance of marine ecosystems. I absolutely adore this magazine because every volume reminds me to be curious about the outside world and to connect with nature.

What books are you looking forward to read this summer? x