[issybird]

Originally Posted by Catlady

The first book that comes to mind is Maureen Daly's Seventeenth Summer. I listened to the audiobook version of this a year or so ago, and loved revisiting a gentler time.

I associate Herman Wouk's Marjorie Morningstar with summer, because of the summer camp sections. Another suggestion is Megan Abbott's The End of Everything.

I haven't read Seventeenth Summer, a lovely book, since I was a girl and listening to it sounds delightful.

I keep running into Megan Abbott as a name and haven't read anything by her, so The End of Everything it is. No horror, though!

Similarly to Marjorie Morningstar, I also associate To Kill a Mockingbird with summer. Not all the action happened in the summer, but the main thrust of the story did.

Originally Posted by crossi

Don Quixote, USA by Richard Powell. It's set in the tropics, so while not specifically in summer I associate the sunny weather with summer. Anyway its a light fun read.

Totally new title to me, thanks.

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

When it comes to Wouk, I would recommend "City Boy," a joyous excursion into childhood of the 1920s.

This is a joyful, wondrous novel, and is very funny.

I'm enjoying the suggestions of books I've read and didn't think of, as my thinking about summer books continues to coalesce. As for the Wouks, I probably won't reread Marjorie Morningstar, which I remember quite clearly. City Boy is but a dim memory, though, and it's going on my reread list. Both books also fit the New York theme I'm working. City Boy was one of my father's favorite books. He grew up in the Bronx and while he would have been somewhat younger than Herbie, there was a lot of overlap in their experiences.

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Not sure if this Herman Koch book fits your bill or not (maybe too heavy?):
Summer House with Swimming Pool

<snip>

I've got the book but have yet to read it. And looking at the price I'm guessing that I got it in one of the 90% sales.

I know people love this, but I found it strained my credulity too much. Fortunately, OverDrive had it, so I wasn't out of pocket. I appreciate the suggestion just the same - it goes on the list I'm compiling. Again, I had forgotten about it.

Originally Posted by BenG

Well, there's the sequel to Dandelion Wine, Farewell Summer.

Yup, I'll get to it. But I don't want to rush it, especially as I know the tone changes signifiicantly and I don't want to be let down.

Going back to the suggestion of Seventeenth Summer, I realize it's not surprising that summer is a significant factor in many children's books and books about children or adolescents. Other children's books that occur to me are the Arthur Ransome, Edward Eager and E. Nesbit books, but I know there must be many, many more.

Thank you all, and I'd love to hear more ideas.