essentials for a magical summer
summer media recommendations and ways to make summer feel special again
Every summer I try to recapture the joy I felt as a kid during summer break, when the months of July-August carried magic and possibilities. It’s obviously not the same and there’s a bittersweet nostalgia attached to it that doesn’t vibe with the world of adult responsibilities. But if you do it right, summer as an adult can be even better because you are an adult with no one to tell you no. You don’t have to go crazy with it. This isn’t a list telling you to burn money to have an enjoyable summer. Many things here are cheap or free. I hate wasting money and prefer to spend it on experiences and good food.
You also won’t find any product recommendations here. You can’t unlock summer magic by finding the right beach bag or spending too much money on bikinis. The TikTok girls will tell you what sunglasses you need to buy to have the best summer ever and I’m here to tell you that last year’s pair will work just fine. Of course there’s fun to be had in adding that perfect sun dress to your closet, but if the dress is only for the anonymous users in your little light-up rectangle, then you’re doing it all wrong. The only things I will tell you to buy are sunscreen and hydration packets.
step one: summer foods and flavors
Okay, yes, technically this part is me telling you what to buy. But everyone’s gotta eat! One of the best and most direct ways to experience a season is to eat its foods. When summer hits, I get a craving for fresh fruits and lighter dishes. I put lemon on practically everything, and every morning is started with a homemade iced lavender latte. I try to incorporate Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods into my diet because the flavors compliment summer and the food is delicious and healthy. Fruit spreads are also added; they’re perfect on a bagel with a little cream cheese or as a homemade pastry filling! Baking is a minor hobby of mine, so I also like to come up with different desserts. Some food examples include:
lemon pepper chicken—great on its own or add to any pasta
dips like hummus and tzatziki
affogato
garlic naan topped with feta dip and spicy pickles (trust me!)
pineapple, cantaloupe, and watermelon
french soda (super easy to make!)
cherry, apricot, and orange jams, and also just the fruits
pistachio gelato
feta; put on avocado toast, bake with pasta and tomatoes, add to salad
lavender lemonade
lemon blueberry french toast
Stella Rosa peach wine (I’m trying to stay away from naming specific brands but Stella Rosa is that bitch)
Of course, summer is a time for junk food, too. Make or order pizza for movie night, eat too much ice cream at the local dairy bar, buy that ridiculously expensive novelty flavor of cookies you’ve been eyeing at the grocery store. There’s nothing like grabbing a slushy at the gas station on the way home from a beach trip or eating some fried street food. A good cheeseburger in your car at 9pm is good for the soul. Back when my air conditioning was broken, I’d freeze a cup of soda every night and chip away at it with a spoon after dinner to cool off. It’s summer—indulge!
step two: summer bucket list
What’s something you’ve always wanted to try or have been putting off this year? Are there any activities that are only possible during this season? Have you let any of your hobbies fall by the wayside? Now is the time to do them! Think of this as summer camp, where every minute is reserved for a different activity. Of course, you don’t have to get that busy with it, but the idea is there. If you want to stretch out on the floor in a patch of sunlight like a cat, by all means, do it! The point is to have something to look forward to every day, even if it’s just chilling at the end of a long work day with a cold glass of wine and your favorite TV show. This part of the list is highly personal, but some suggestions and activities I will be trying this summer include:
sunrise and sunset at the beach
a sunset walk somewhere beautiful (I want to do mine at Cincinnati’s Purple People Bridge so I can see the sunset across the city skyline)
rooftop bar
nature walks to see the in-season flowers and plants
try a new fruit
dye my hair a fun color
peruse a produce stand or farmer’s market
picnic (can be done at any time of day, but i prefer sunset. if you want to sweat your tits off by picnicking in the afternoon, go ahead)
frozen margaritas
crafting (I still have to finish my travel scrapbooks lol)
summer exhibitions (a lot of museums have free/reduced entry on certain days!)
movie days (perfect for rainy weather or days where it’s too hot! there are so many movies coming out this summer that I’m looking forward to) (you could also watch a movie outdoors or find a local drive-in/outdoor cinema)
zoo day (I actually did this already, before the weather could get too hot)
try a new frozen custard place that just opened
If you’re stuck on what to do, look for events in your community! There’s a free showing of a play I’m looking forward to, and a local park in my area is hosting a free drag queen bingo night on Tuesdays. There are also all kinds of festivals and concerts going on, though those require varying amounts of money, and can get hot and crowded. But if that’s your thing, then do it! The point is to do what you want to do. Don’t let people’s posts on social media about their wild crazy summers make you feel like you’re not doing enough with your own (easier said). I run hot, am on Prozac, and have more body fat insulating me, so my tolerance for hot weather is low. I know if I tried to be “outside” all summer, I’d be miserable, but that doesn’t have to stop me from having fun. One of my favorite things to do is get up early, grab a bagel and a coffee, and read at the park before it gets too hot. That’s a joyful summer activity to me, and it requires little money, no crowds, and minimal sweating. So don’t think you have to be out there with the sweat warriors. Any of these activities can be done alone or with friends, but I highly recommend taking yourself somewhere at least once a week.
step two (and a half): if possible, get away
So, I generally do not like vacationing in the summer. I primarily drive places, so the sun beating down through my car windows while I burn gas blasting the A/C isn’t ideal. Doing a bunch of activities, many of which require going outside, is exhausting in the heat. But I do miss the summer trips I’d take to visit family as a child, and it’s hard not to feel jealous of people’s European summers on social media. If you can find a way to make it work, get out of your city for a while, even if it’s just a day trip. One place I want to go this summer is Columbus; it’s just an hour and a half away from me, and I’d love to check out their art museum.
If you really can’t get away, try exploring a different neighborhood in your city! I’ve lived in Cincinnati my whole life and there are still many places here I’ve never been. You could start by finding a new coffee shop to try and then walking around that area. Or, go to a different movie theater. Try a new restaurant. Visit a different park. One thing I like to do is visit each neighborhood’s library. Cincinnati’s library system is wonderful, and each branch has unique offerings and are located in some very cool buildings! If you’re bummed about not taking a vacation this summer, don’t let it stop you from leaving the house. There’s still plenty to see right outside your door.
step three: summer media
Media can be a powerful tool for memory, feeling, and imagination. The easiest way to evoke that magical summer feeling is reading books, watching films and television shows, and listening to music that gives summer vibes. Crack open a book while you listen to ocean sounds, watch an atmospheric summer film or a mega blockbuster, listen to the music you played during that one summer you always dream of.
summer albums
Create the soundtrack of your life for errands, dillydallying, workouts, or anything else this summer. Just don’t play your music out loud at the beach or anything like that. No one wants that.
Frank by Amy Winehouse
Amy’s bold debut album was a breath of fresh air that explored young womanhood, from love and breakups to female sexuality and cheeky commentary about the club scene (“F*** Me Pumps”). It’s jazzy, soulful, and funky, with beats that just make you feel good. I know I am young, but the album makes me feel youthful.
K.I.D.S. by Mac Miller
This is one of Mac Miller’s best mixtapes from his early days in frat rap. Everything from the album’s aesthetics to its lyrics, song titles, and soundbites give a nostalgic summer vibe reminiscent of 90s kids running free. Probably because he recorded it right after graduating high school and features songs like “Senior Skip Day”, “Outside”, and “Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza.” The whole album, aside from a song or two, is just positive vibes and gives that optimistic feeling that comes with being free for the summer.
This Summer by Alessia Cara
Alessia Cara’s 6-track EP is the perfect mood booster. Written about a summer situationship gone wrong, it features funky beats, sassy lyrics, and self-confidence anthems that are sure to get you in the mood for kicking that failed summer fling to the curb, or just getting a quick dose of empowerment. The last song on the EP, “October” is all about healing, reminiscing, and wishing autumn would never come.
Norman Fucking Rockwell! by Lana Del Rey
Lana has several albums that would qualify for summer but NFR! is number one. With its soft-rock instrumentation and themes of nostalgia, California, Americana, love, loss, and hopefulness amidst hopelessness, it’s both happy and sad. As is the usual case with Lana’s music, it feels like an updated version of 60s and 70s tunes, and the aesthetics scream mid century summer. A lot of people say it’s the perfect album for late summer to transition into autumn, and it is, but honestly, I can’t resist turning it on as soon as June arrives.
summer books
When I get sad that I am once again not frolicking on some beach in the Mediterranean, I do the next best thing: read a book set in summer and let my imagination do the rest. I’ve got summer book recommendations of all kinds, from girls just having fun to women losing their minds in the stifling heat and everything in between.
Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados
21-year-olds Isa and Gala try to survive a New York City summer by doing odd jobs and mingling with artists and other rich, eccentric types. The sweltering heat and feeling that anything could happen is intoxicating, and it’s refreshing to read a book about girls just having fun without any stereotypical tropes.
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
Sofia travels to the Spanish coast to see a controversial strange doctor for her mother Rose’s mysterious illness. While there, Sofia explores her identity, sexuality, and independence amidst her mother’s oppressive presence and the sensual, sun-drenched beaches of the coast. Read for Sofia’s introspective, witty musings or the immersive descriptions of the heat; either way, you’ll be satisfied and transported.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Set in the early 20th-century, an older Janie tells the story of how she grew up fighting for autonomy, independence, and true love in a world built to take all those things away from her. Through her three marriages across two decades, Janie learns how to find happiness and navigate gender roles, societal expectations, and financial security, coming out on the other side a truly free woman, but not without struggle, heartbreak, and the opinions of others. It’s not exclusively set in the summer, but it does take place in Florida, and the hot, sticky weather is almost a character itself.
Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna
Over the course of one sweltering London weekend in 2019, a group of friends navigates their changing paths, buried secrets, and long-held desires, culminating in the party of the year where tensions will finally break like the summer heat. There is no summer book more atmospheric than this one; it will transport you directly to that London heatwave, with desire, sweat, and longing permeating each page.
Luster by Raven Leilani
Edie, a Black woman from Brooklyn, starts a summer romance with a white man in an open marriage. Edie is floundering in her office job, her artistry, and her life, and things are made worse when she’s fired; then, the man’s wife invites her to live in their home in an all-white New Jersey suburb, where Edie meets their adopted Black daughter and becomes intimately fascinated with this woman and her life. Rather than a tropey tale of two women fighting over a mediocre man, the novel is more interested in exploring identity, Black womanhood, loneliness, trauma, and class through humorous, poetic prose.
The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante
Olga is abruptly left by her husband and has to care for their two children while navigating a new life as a single mother. Full of rage, she falls into a deep crisis as she thinks over everything she gave up to be with him, if their marriage was ever as perfect as she thought, and what her identity means now that he’s gone. The novel culminates in Olga spiraling on a blistering hot afternoon, trapped in her apartment with a sick child and unable to get out of her own mind enough to care for him or even do basic tasks. For the girls who lose their minds in the summer, this one’s for you!
IT by Stephen King
Seven losers. A handful of bullies. A shapeshifting, child-eating clown. One unforgettable summer. I would say to just watch the movie because it leaves out that weird ass scene from the book, but the book dives so much deeper into the characters and the history of Derry and Pennywise. Plus, the prose is so atmospheric that I can practically taste the humid Maine summer the characters live in. It captures the magic of spending summer break with your best friends while also telling a horrifying story.
Slow Days, Fast Company by Eve Babitz
Love, lust, and California hedonism. Eve Babitz’s witty, sharp, and poignant tales of life, fame, and art in 1960s-70s Los Angeles is the perfect thing to read at the beach, the bar, or even a party. Her loving, descriptive narration of her hometown will transport you to a sunny, dream-like place that feels alive even though it only existed for a short time.
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
In the summer of 1970, Fern is sent to a home in rural Florida for pregnant teenage girls. While she awaits the birth of the child she won’t even get to keep, Fern and her friends fight against an oppressive environment that routinely controls and shames them. Until one day they discover a book of witchcraft and use it to get back at the staff. When it works, they think they’ve unlocked access to power and control, two things they’re desperate for. But everything is not what it seems, and Fern must decide if she can make the kind of sacrifices necessary. The witchcraft stuff is hit or miss, I’m mainly recommending this book for the setting and the beautiful friendships between the girls.
summer films
Take a couple hours to get lost in the sun, from the comfort of your couch. This list is not exhaustive—we’d be here all day if I included every great summer movie option—but these are films that are near and dear to me.
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Eve Batiste tells the story of how, at ten years old, she killed her father during one long, hot Louisiana summer. This Southern Gothic family drama is breathtaking, foreboding, and intense, but it’s also humorous and comforting at the same time. Its depiction of girlhood and sisterly love is nothing short of special. The cinematography focuses on the lush Louisiana landscapes and beautiful southern manors, creating a hazy summer feeling that is perfect to curl up with.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Two twenty-somethings have a chance meeting on a train bound for Paris. After having a great conversation, they decide to hop off the train and explore Vienna together before one of them must leave for their flight home in the morning. No numbers or email exchanges—just one night of an unforgettable romance, while they’re still young enough to get away with that sort of thing. This film is earnest, romantic, and dreamy, allowing you to escape into the streets of Vienna and live out your European summer romance fantasies.
Jurassic Park (1993)
No summer is complete without a blockbuster, so why not watch one of the greatest blockbusters ever created, made by the guy who literally invented them? A tropical island full of dinosaurs. Sexy paleontologists. Disaster and death caused by man’s hubris. Perfect!
The To-Do List (2013)
It’s the 90s and Brandy Clark just graduated high school; before she heads off to college, she’s got one thing that won’t fit on her packing list—she needs to get [redacted]! So she sets off on a mission to gain as much sexual experience as possible, and her job at the pool has no shortage of willing partners. But her ultimate goal is to lose her virginity to Rusty, a hot older boy who may or may not be into her. Along the way, Brandy gets advice from her older sister and best friends, and learns that sex isn’t that important, especially not more than your girls. The jokes don’t always land, but the cast is great, it’s got a nostalgic summer vibe, and I always appreciate a raunchy comedy that centers women.
Nope (2022)
Siblings OJ and Emerald discover something sinister is floating in the sky above their California ranch. Is it an alien? Or something worse? What could be worse than an alien? The fascination and horror is in finding out. Jordan Peele took the best elements of sci-fi, horror, and blockbusters to create something so unique and fantastic that I still get chills every time I watch it. I heard there’s a 4-hour cut floating around out there somewhere; Mr. Peele, give the people what they want!
IT (2017)
I have my issues with this film (they flatten Mike’s character so much that it can’t be for any other reason than racism) but it mostly does the book justice, for the childhood part of the story, anyway. The Loser’s Club spends their summer fighting Pennywise and discovering the joys of true friendship. A great pick for a rainy day in late August when the Halloween itch starts.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Sorry, I still love this film. 17-year-old Elio reckons with identity, sexuality, desire, and heartbreak after a summer spent with his father’s art history graduate research assistant, Oliver, at a villa in Italy. The film isn’t perfect, for obvious reasons, but I love Elio’s journey as a character and, for me at least, it’s less about the actual relationship and more about the relationships that shape us when we’re young. The film is meant to feel like a beautiful yet melancholic sun-drenched memory, and with its long shots, slow pace, and heavenly score, it achieves that. If I can’t travel to Italy, this is the next best thing.
Aquamarine (2006)
For the childhood nostalgia! Emma Roberts and Jojo play best friends spending one last summer together before one of them moves away. They discover a mermaid hiding in their seaside town’s local pool, and in exchange for one granted wish, they help the mermaid find true love before she’s forced to return to the ocean and go through with an arranged marriage set by her controlling father (who is not Poseidon but for all intents and purposes, basically is). This movie always played at summer sleepovers growing up, and it would be the perfect watch with the girls now.
Love Wrecked (2005)
Out of all of Amanda Bynes’ films, this one doesn’t seem to get as much love. Maybe because it is kind of terrible without the lens of nostalgia, but it’s still a fun summer romcom! Amanda plays Jennifer, a teen girl who gets stranded on an island with her idol, rock-star Jason Masters. Jennifer soon discovers they didn’t actually land on a deserted island, just a secluded part of the beach resort she works at. But she’s finally got her idol’s attention, so she’s not about to tell him that!
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Coming-of-age. Lust. Desire. Romance. Class consciousness. Female autonomy. Dancing. The summer that changed Baby’s life when she started a whirlwind romance with the Catskills’ best dance instructor, Johnny. Dreamy, retro, seeping with longing. The perfect film to bid summer farewell.
Real Women Have Curves (2002)
Ana has just graduated high school and dreams of going to college in some city far away, where she can be an independent woman free from her mother’s traditional, controlling, and critical attitude. But college is expensive and her family needs her to stay home to support them. So, Ana spends the summer working in her sister’s sewing factory, secretly dating a white boy, and longing for something more. When Ana’s teacher says she has a shot at a full ride to Columbia University, Ana is torn between her desires, pleasing her family, and the economic and gender confines she lives under. A beautiful coming-of-age film about a turbulent mother-daughter relationship, it’s warm and comforting, and brings back memories of that first summer after high school when the world felt equally full and empty of possibilities.
Midsommar (2019)
A horror film drenched in sunlight and vibrant hues—especially red. Dani accompanies her boyfriend and his friends on a graduate studies trip to rural Sweden, where they join a commune to observe their traditions. Reeling from a devastating loss, Dani’s relationship is on the rocks. Her loneliness makes her the perfect target for the cult community to latch onto. Is this the trip of a lifetime, or just the last trip of their lives?
Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)
Everyone needs a dumb summer comedy and this fits the bill. Zac Efron and Adam Devine bring two “nice girls” Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza to their sister’s Hawaii destination wedding. The idea is that, with dates to try and impress, the two brothers will act mature and civilized, unlike their usual behavior at family functions that always ends in disaster for all parties involved. But Anna and Aubrey aren’t “nice girls”—they’re train-wreck waitresses who get by on hustling, and they’re hustling these boys for a free trip to Hawaii. Hilarity, disaster, and debauchery ensue as this foursome turns out to be the worst combination for a wedding, ever. Some jokes haven’t aged well, but the stellar cast makes this a really fun watch to turn your brain off to.
Asteroid City (2023)
Wes Anderson creates a beautiful, vibrant, pastel retro-futuristic desert world in this story about a documentary about a stage play. The actual events of the play take place in a desert town famous for being the site of a meteor crash. The key characters are in town for a junior science convention when unexpected events cause them to be quarantined. I can’t really explain much more than that because it can get confusing trying to, but it’s a wonderful story about love, loss, human connection, and the point of living.
television shows
There’s nothing like curling up with an addicting summertime drama or a long-running classic comedy under the blankets with the A/C blasting. There are also some great summery episodes of TV shows. Maybe I’ll do a separate post on those.
The Wilds (season 1)
A group of eight teenage girls, two each from the same school, crash on a deserted island on their way to Hawaii for a young women’s empowerment retreat. Unbeknownst to them, the entire thing is a controlled social experiment run by a mysterious woman. The diverse cast has so many interesting stories to tell, and the themes of female trauma and rage, friendship, and identity are told with earnestness and empathy. There is a second season, but it’s not very good, through no fault of the creator’s—Amazon cut their budget and then canceled the show. But season one is something really special.
The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, and Sophia spend their golden years navigating annoying ex-husbands, living alone after becoming widowed, the world of “mature” dating, friendship, aging, and day-to-day, topping off every day with late-night conversations and cheesecake. It’s hilarious, comforting, and a delight to look at with its 1980s pastel color palette and eternal summer vibe from being set in Miami, Florida.
Cruel Summer (season 1)
The first season of Cruel Summer follows Jeanette and Kate, two very different girls whose lives become intertwined starting the summer of 1993 after Kate goes missing, is found, and then accuses Jeanette of knowing but failing to alert authorities. The series does a great job at telling an enthralling story full of secrets and twists that is grounded in the delicate lives and interiorities of teenage girls. Kate’s story as a victim is especially handled with care. I flip flop on whether I like the ending or not, but it’s still pretty good. There is a second season but I gave up on it after a few episodes and have no interest in going back.
The White Lotus (seasons 1+2)
It wouldn’t be summer without HBO’s hit “the rich are weird and terrible” vacation series. Season One follows rich people in Hawaii and Season Two follows rich people in Italy. Both seasons follow patrons of the White Lotus resort as they try to vacation for a week but end up getting pulled into insane, debaucherous, and dangerous positions, usually through their own actions. The resort employees and various locals have to deal with their shit. The week usually ends with someone’s unexpected death, and you spend the series trying to figure out who it is. The satire on wealth, class, privilege, and politics is sharp, interesting, and funny. For the first two seasons, at least. I sense that you may be sensing a theme, here. The third season wasn’t very good and I think it has run out of things to say. But the first two seasons, season two especially, are excellent.
Thanks for reading! Do you have any exciting plans this summer? What are some things you like to do to make summer feel more special? To see what I’ll be doing with my summer, you can follow me on IG at mjewrites.