Whether out on a beach chair and absorbing sweet kisses from the sun or sitting underneath a vent to embrace the air conditioning, one’s mind can’t help but wander during summer break. As contemplation and perspiration arise during the infamous Texas heat, a summery story can provide something to chew on. For those who need something for their summer reading list, The Daily Texan compiled a list of stories that emphasize the little wonders of this ever-changing season. 

“Big Two-Hearted River” by Ernest Hemingway

Bare of a plot but bountiful in description, Hemingway’s two-part short story engulfs readers in a story chock-full of American summer staples. As Nick, the protagonist, sets out to fish, he soaks up the world around him, finding satisfaction in the smallest pleasures. The simplicity of apple butter, sun-kissed logs and loud currents transforms into a yearning to purchase a fishing rod or just bask in the summer sun.

“The Swimmer” by John Cheever 

Neddy Merrill, an upper-class, middle-aged man, decides to swim back to his home through all the pools in his neighborhood. What starts as a fun, mindless adventure becomes a journey brimming with critiques of ‘60s suburban affluence and realizations of what it means to be a person. Waddling through gravel, braving a storm and chatting with his neighbors distort his reality as he dips in and out of the homes that were once familiar but now foreign. 

“Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri 

Mr. Kapasi, an interpreter at a doctor’s office and a tour guide in Konark, India, takes the Indian American Das family on one of his pleasant tours. However, as he gets to know this peculiar family, he develops an interest in the mother, Mrs. Das. Witnessing a summer in India and infatuation through the eyes of Mr. Kapasi can only be described as a privilege due to his complex understanding of humanity shaped by his career as an interpreter of maladies, some sterile and medicinal — some painstakingly personal. 

“Wild America” by Wells Tower

Contagious with nostalgia for summers with cousins and short-lived crushes, “Wild America” immerses readers in the familiar world of the teenage protagonist, Jacey. Tower places Jacey in confusing situations like her cousin Maya stealing Jacey’s neighborhood crush. As she engages in rebellious acts with these two, to her, traitors, she enters a period of reflection that often ensues when given a three-month-long vacation.