Almost everyone waits with bated breath for that last week of June when it is officially declared summertime. But there are a select few who do not favor the season that sees beachgoers, pool lovers, hot sun and unrelenting heat. For the days when it’s too hot to go outside or you just don’t want to deal with summer, get in touch with your inner literary genius as you dive into a summer of literary fun.
Host a Summer Book Club
Just like everyone waits to see what are the summer’s hottest movies, so too do people wait for popular summer reads. Gather up a list of different genres and invite your friends over for a weekly or monthly book club. 
Make it a potluck where everyone brings a dish to munch on for lunch. Keep it light by limiting the menu to sandwiches, salads and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Ice-cold lemonade and tea are the perfect summer beverage, but kick it up a notch by freezing fruit and sugar in ice cubes for some added sweetness. Want to make it more fun? Make each club meeting theme based on the book selection.
Pair with: New York Times Best Seller List, Harry Potter, The Girl on the Train
A Gatsby-Style Summer
Any Long Island reader knows that the one book associated with this little New York inlet is without a doubt, The Great Gatsby. Have you ever wanted to spend a day wandering around some of the Gold Coast’s mansions, pretending that you are Daisy Buchanan?
Take a tour of some of Long Island’s most esteemed estates such as Oheka Castle, Hempstead House, The Vanderbilt Mansion, Mill Neck Manor and Old Westbury Gardens. Many overlook the Long Island Sound, which is perfect if you are channeling Jay Gatsby looking for the green light on the other side.
Pair with: The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Me Before You
A Garden Tea Party
Grab your gloves, sun hats, finest floral print dresses and three-piece suits. Want to beat the heat but enjoy the outdoors? Host a refreshing tea party in your garden under a cool tent. On the menu are finger sandwiches, vegetable crudités, fruit salad and dainty scones and tea cakes.
If it’s too hot for a spot of tea, make it iced in a variety of flavors like peach mango, raspberry lemonade, green tea with honey or blackberry hibiscus flavored teas. Turn teacups and saucers upside down and stack them or fill with flowers for a cute centerpiece. Take a page out of Alice in Wonderland and make it themed, having guests take home bottled tea leaves or “Drink Me” potions.
Pair with: The Secret Garden, Alice in Wonderland
