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Eight Unique Poolside Reads for a Sultry Summer Day

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8 unique poolsode reads for a sultry summer day chemistrycachet.comThis is my favorite list of unique poolside reads to enjoy in the summer!

I am a seasonal reader, meaning I like to read books according to what season I am in. If it is fall, I love reading books about autumn. Christmas is all about Christmas related books! Now that it is summer, I love diving in to fun books that I can read by the pool or even on a beach trip.

I’m also the type that doesn’t read new releases. I always wait a few years when the heat dies down…I guess I like being different 😉 These are eight of my favorite summer oriented books! It has a little something for everyone. If you like gardens, beaches, murders, fantasy, or classics, then you may find a great new read below! All of these I have enjoyed the last few summers, sitting by the pool and lounging on a sandy beach.

Check out more summer inspiration here.

8 Unique Poolside Reads

I have shared some of these books on instagram stories, but I thought I would update this list for you too!

The Big House

The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home – “Faced with the sale of the century-old family summer house on Cape Cod where he had spent forty-two summers, George Howe Colt returned for one last stay with his wife and children. This poignant tribute to the eleven-bedroom jumble of gables, bays, and dormers that watched over weddings, divorces, deaths, anniversaries, birthdays, breakdowns, and love affairs for five generations interweaves Colt’s final visit with memories of a lifetime of summers”

I loved this book! A perfect mix of history, architectural interest, and a family story.

The Woman in White

 The Woman in White (Penguin Classics) -“Wilkie Collins’s The Woman in White, the first Victorian ‘sensation novel’ and one of the earliest mystery novels in English, weaves multiple narratives into a thrilling and suspenseful tale of mistaken identity and dark desires. This Penguin Classics edition is edited with notes and an introduction by Matthew Sweet. The Woman in White famously opens with Walter Hartright’s eerie encounter on a moonlit London road. ”

I love reading classics, but throw in an eery ghost story and it’s even better! This is a longer book, but very captivating.

Star Spangled Murder

 Star Spangled Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery)– “Another sign that the crazy days of summer are in full swing arrives when a group of naturists–a.k.a. nudists–descends on Tinker’s Cove, skinny-dipping at the pond that borders Mrs. Pratt’s property, giving her something else to complain about. Worse still, the local lobstermen are upset about poachers–and suspicion falls on Mrs. Pratt’s husband and son. Then the July Fourth fireworks are canceled to protect a patch of extremely rare purple-spotted lichen, and Mrs Pratt is the victim of a hit and run. ”

This was just a fun murder mystery. I read all of these Lucy Stone Mysteries years ago, and I love how they envelop the season it is set in. Fun, quick, and easy read for summer!

The Language of Flowers

The Language of Flowers: A Novel – “The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them”

If you read my blog, you know I love flowers. I loved this book with all the beautiful details of flowers it had. This is a newer book, and not all set in summer, but it is still a perfect poolside read.

The Solitary Summer

 The Solitary Summer– “by the author of the beloved “Enchanted April,” Elizabeth von Arnim. “I went along the edge of the stream to the seat round the oak in my spring garden, where I sat a little, looking at the morning from there, drinking it in in long breaths, and determining to think of nothing but just be happy.”

Again, flowers are one of my favorite things to read about. This book was so beautifully written! It is all about summer in her gorgeous garden and the peace it brings to her each day.

The Night Circus

 The Night Circus – “The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. ”

This is a newer book that most have heard about I’m sure, but I really enjoyed it. I think the circus and the carnival are the epitome of summertime. This was something enchanting, yet mystical.

Farewell Summer

 Farewell Summer – “When Elizabeth returns to her hometown, a chance meeting with an elderly relative takes her back to 1905 . ..”

 I love Helen Hoover Santmyer as a writer. Something about her books just draw me in. This era is one of my favorites to research and read about so I loved hearing the tales of summer back in the early 1900s. This book is somewhat sad, but also heartwarming in the end. It was a very fast read, so it is perfect for a summer day!

Summer Rental

Summer Rental: A Novel -“Ellis, Julia, and Dorie. Best friends since Catholic grade school, they now find themselves in their mid-thirties, at the crossroads of life and love. Ellis, recently fired from her job, begins to question the choices she’s made over the past decade. Julia has a man who loves her and is offering her the world, but she can no longer hide her deepest insecurities. And Dorie has just been shockingly betrayed by the man she loved and trusted the most. Can a one-month getaway to North Carolina’s Outer Banks help make things right?”

I know most people have read Mary Kay Andrew’s books. They are fun, easy, and captivating! But this was one of my favorite ones for summer. It is all about the beach, a beach house, old friends, new beginnings, and it is just an enjoyable fun read!

I hope you enjoy this list of unique poolside reads! Some are new, some are old, but all are fun!

What is on your summer list?


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Comments

    • Alexis says

      Solitary Summer was a fun read, very old, but I love all the descriptive terms of her garden and the peace it brings! I think you should give it a try. It is also a quick read!

      Reply

  2. Marissa says

    What a list…. I have to admit I haven’t heard of any of them! Granted I haven’t been much into mysteries lately, so that explains some of the list… but still…

    I’m so glad you shared this, I might have to look in the Summer Rental…. Thank you!

    Marissa
    Reading List

    Reply

    • Alexis says

      I hope you enjoy it! Most of these are pretty old, and some are even decades old so I figured most people haven’t heard of them. Those are my favorite types of books 🙂

      Reply

  5. Jo-Anne says

    I love to read many different types of books often I will even read something by someone I have never heard of before, books are fun, reading is fun, if you read you are not bored

    Reply

  7. Pattie @ Olla-Podrida says

    We have similar tastes in books. I’ve already read about half of these, but appreciate the other suggestions I enjoy the Lucy Stone series as well, which remind me that I’m behind on those books.

    Reply

    • Alexis says

      I really like the Woman in White, it had a twist. If you like classic or older books, I think you will enjoy it!

      Reply

  11. Nicole says

    These all sound great! That language of flowers one especially looks great to me. Thanks for sharing your book suggestions with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week!

    Reply

  13. Melinda says

    Oooh, really love #1, 4,5,7, and 8. Best friend reunions are so wonderful to read about! Maybe because I’m dreaming of one myself! I think it’s neat that you read according to the season. I love Christmas books anytime!
    Here from Creative Inspiration Party.

    Reply

  15. Stephanie says

    Thanks for the wonderful book list! I am always on the lookout for good books to read and you have listed some great one 🙂 So happy to have you share this with Roses of Inspiration.

    Reply

    • Alexis says

      I am always looking for a great new book too! Some of these I plan to read again because I enjoyed them so much 🙂

      Reply

  16. Whitney says

    The Language of Flowers is a beautiful book! I’ll have to check out The Woman in White- I love classics!

    Reply

  18. Michelle says

    I read #4 The Language of Flowers. It was a good read and her story grabbed at my heart right from the beginning. And you are right, the description of flowers opened my mind up to the next time I purchase flowers for someone. Commenting from Tuesday Talk link up party. Thanks for sharing these great reads for summer. FYI, I do the same thing you do, read books around the seasons. Christmas novels are my favorite!

    Reply

  21. Linda says

    Alexis,
    Thank you for stopping by my blog! I followed you on g+….came over to see the books on your summer reading list….once I finish “The Red Tent” I think I am going to read The Language of Flowers. Thank you for the suggestions….I am always a few years behind myself!
    Linda
    mysewwhatblog

    Reply

    • Alexis says

      I think you will enjoy the language of the flowers! Just the description of the flowers alone is worth the read 🙂 Have a wonderful day Linda!

      Reply

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