When the summertime is in full swing, we love nothing more than to spend as much time outside as possible. Book in hand, cocktail at the ready, and food on the grill? Sign. Us. Up. We’ve got three summer-perfect pairings — book, cookbook, drink — to keep your reading self satiated all season long. Happy summering, dear friends!
Read: Until I Met You
by Amber Rose Gill
Amber Rose Gill, winner of “Love Island UK”, takes us to the Caribbean in Until I Met You, a comedic romp of a romance. Fancy-free Samantha and buttoned-up Roman find themselves tangled up together when their paths cross on the island of Tobago. Shenanigans and love ensue.
Cook: Natural Flava: Quick & Easy Plant-Based Caribbean Recipes
by Craig McAnuff and Shaun McAnuff
Craig and Shaun McAnuff lean into the plant-based side of Caribbean cooking in their latest joint endeavor, Natural Flava: Quick & Easy Plant-Based Caribbean Recipes. They’ve got all of the flavor front and center, and also keep it light and healthy — which we especially appreciate when the temperature outside is on the rise.
Drink: Rum Punch
When we think of the Caribbean, we think of rum punch. It’s fruity, sweet, and absolutely refreshing. This recipe skips right on past the individual approach with measurements that will easily fill a pitcher.
Get the recipe.
Read: You Can Trust Me
by Wendy Heard
Two young women scam their way into the elite, untouchable world of a California tech billionaire. When they find themselves wrapped up in a dark and savage mystery off the coast of Cali, they learn that the stakes are higher than even they’d dreamed possible.
Cook: Gjelina: Cooking from Venice, California
by Travis Lett, Michael Graydon, and Nikole Herriott
When we think of coastal California, we often think of Gjelina, the absolutely delightful — and delightfully scene-y — Venice restaurant. Though this cookbook will take you on a fabulous culinary journey at any time of year, we prefer to pull it out when we’re feeling the pull of those balmy urban SoCal and so-sultry long lunches.
Drink: Rosé Sangria
While it’s always a good idea to reach for a simple glass of rosé on a particularly warm evening, we love to mix it up from time to time — literally! For a lighter take on a classic wine-based cocktail, give this rosé sangria a try, courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa.
Get the recipe.
Read: Witches
by Brenda Lozano - Heather Cleary
In Brenda Lozano’s haunting novel, Witches, a young journalist named Zoe travels to Mexico to investigate and report on the murder of a healer named Paloma. As the story unfolds, what we’re gifted with is more than a novel — it’s a tale of storytelling, the feminine experience, and magic, adding up to a perfect summer read.
Cook: Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling
by Bricia Lopez and Javier Cabral
“Asada,” we’re learning, is so much more than a particular type of dish. It’s this notion (we now know) of gathering that chefs Bricia Lopez and Javier Cabral celebrate and bring to the table in their new cookbook, Asada: The Art of Mexican-style Grilling. From apps to veg, drinks to dessert, your Mexican-inspired summertime now has just the guide it needs.
Drink: Strawberry Jalapeño Margaritas
The margarita is by and large the most popular of all cocktails to come out of Mexico, and lately we’ve been digging them with a little kick. For a little extra summertime flair, pull in a bit of summer’s fave fruit in as well, with these spicy Strawberry Jalapeño Margaritas — a hot drink for cool nights!
Get the recipe.