If you can’t judge a book by its cover, how can you find a good summer read?

When I picture my perfect summer activity, my mind jumps immediately to myself lazily sprawled out on a hammock in my backyard. I have lemonade in one hand and a new book in the other. What’s missing from my fantasy is the name of that book. Authors know summers are for reading, so there are way too many books to choose from. Not to worry, though, we’ve compiled a list of this summer’s must-reads.

1. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

You open to the first page and are immediately transported to Cinque Terre, Italia circa 1962, where a daydreaming young innkeeper observes a mysterious American woman approaching him on a boat. This is a story of two perfectly imperfect people who navigate the rocky coast of Italy while holding tightly to their dreams. If you fantasize about the ancient ambiance of the Italian coast and feed off of the classic Hollywood romance, this is the book for you. Test out a sample of the book here.

2. Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

This novel tells the tale of a young girl who gets straight A’s in school – an accomplishment that her parents had promised, if achieved, would give her a reward of her choice. Her choice is to go to Antarctica; however, her mother has a social phobia and is not sure how to approach the request. The book is written mainly in email correspondence, so it’s the perfect book to be read throughout the summer. Considering Semple was a former writer for Arrested Development and Ellen, you know you are in for a comical treat. See for yourself with the sample here.

3. In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

Don’t be turned off or confused by the name of the author. Trust that when Blume decides to write an adult novel – she knows what’s she’s doing. Expect another classic (literally, one for the books) in this tale of a group of people whose lives are instantly changed when several planes crash. Taking places in the 1950s, get ready to be catapulted into the past for a crazy adventure. Still not sold on Blume? Skim the sample here.

4. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

You read it correctly – another author from your past. Yes, the infamous author of To Kill a Mockingbird is not only still alive but she’s hoping for another Pulitzer Prize! Go Set a Watchman picks up where To Kill a Mockingbird left off, 20 years later. Set in the time where the civil rights movement that was penetrating the South, a 26-year-old Jean Louise Finch returns home from New York City to visit her ailing father, Atticus. The homecoming is short lived as Jean Louise uncovers disturbing truths about her family and her hometown. Go Set a Watchmen was actually written before Mockingbird. Unearth the hidden treasure here and blast to the past.

Now that you’ve chosen the books for your summer in a hammock, it’s time to get started! What can spoil that vision? Mosquitos, that’s what. How can you immerse yourself in the newest summer classic if you’re constantly slapping away uninvited guests? That’s where Platinum Mosquito comes in. Contact us today for a free consultation!