Why Hemingway Is Peak Summer Reading (+ What to Pick Up Next)
Whether you’re a longtime fan or brand new to his work, here’s your essential guide to reading Hemingway this summer—plus more summer reading goodness.
Weekend Edition: Start your weekend with curated book lists, reading tips, and lifestyle inspiration delivered every Friday.
Discovering (or Rediscovering) Hemingway This Summer 📚
Hi Bookish Besties,
I’m so excited to devote this week’s Weekend Edition to one of my favorite traditions—diving into the works of authors with extensive backlists, and making their work more accessible.
Today, we’re focusing on a titan of 20th-century literature, celebrated for his concise and powerful prose—Ernest Hemingway. There’s something about Hemingway’s stories of resilience, adventure, and raw emotion that are the perfect literary companions for long, sun-drenched summer days.
So whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering him for the first time, today’s guide will help you explore his work or inspire you to finally pick up that Hemingway novel that’s been waiting on your shelf.
Your Essential Guide to Reading Hemingway This Summer
Whether you’re just starting your journey with Hemingway or looking to revisit his iconic works, this curated guide will help you explore his storytelling through accessible tips, must-read recommendations, and thoughtful, spoiler free mini deep dives.
Your Beginner’s Guide to Ernest Hemingway
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the name “Ernest Hemingway,” trust me—you’re not alone. But once I cracked the code of his style, I couldn’t stop turning pages. This is your friendly roadmap to help you fall in love with Hemingway’s work too: Read the Beginner’s Guide to Ernest Hemingway
The Old Man and the Sea: Hemingway’s Tale of Resilience
This book was recommended to me by my husband, and if you decide to join Santiago on his unforgettable journey, it will leave you inspired and in awe too. This mini deep dive will get into why this story resonates so deeply without spoilers: Explore The Old Man and the Sea
A Farewell to Arms: Love, Loss, and the Reality of War
This novel has always struck a chord with me for its raw portrayal of love and its unflinching depiction of war. In this mini deep dive, I explore why A Farewell to Arms remains a timeless reflection on love, loss, and the harsh truths of life without spoilers: Read about A Farewell to Arms
For Whom the Bell Tolls: Hemingway’s War Masterpiece
Set during the Spanish Civil War, this gripping novel not only offers a riveting narrative of conflict and sacrifice, but also profound insights into the human condition during adversity. Here’s my mini deep dive of one of Hemingway’s greatest works without spoilers: Dive into For Whom the Bell Tolls
9 Must-Read Ernest Hemingway Books: Your Essential Guide
If you’re wondering where to start—or where to go next—this is the list for you! These are my personal recommendations for the nine Hemingway books you don’t want to miss, whether you’re new to his work or looking to revisit his timeless classics: See the 9 Must-Read Hemingway Books
Downloadable Summer Reading Magazines
The 2025 Summer Reading Guide has 45 standout reads, 10 easy categories, a minimalist list, recommendations for your zodiac sign, movies and music list, PLUS MORE, all in one 1 gorgeous 28-page PDF magazine.
Go behind the scenes of this year’s Summer Reading Guide and get my full list of books I read and loved—157 in all! Plus: books like recommendations in a PDF magazine.
More Summer Bookish Goodness to Explore
The 2025 Summer Reading Guide — From heart-pounding thrillers to eye-opening nonfiction, browse the lists.
The 2025 Minimalist Summer Reading List — Ten best books from the full summer guide.
2025 Summer Reading Challenge — Five fun prompts to keep your reading fresh and playful all season long.
Classic Books to Read in Summer — Timeless reads that feel especially magical in the summer months.
Seasonal Living Ideas for Summer — Embrace the season with joyful, mindful lifestyle ideas.
Ultimate Summer Bucket List — 50 fun, budget-friendly activities to try in 2025.
Literary Calendar
June is Pride Month, Audiobook Appreciation Month, National Caribbean American Heritage Month.
June 13th 1865: William Butler Yeats is born. Popular works include: The Second Coming, Leda and the Swan, Easter 1916, These are the Clouds, An Irish Airman Foresees His Death, The Stolen Child, Sailing to Byzantium.
June 13th, 1888: Fernando Pessoa is born. Popular works include: As She Passes, At Times I Have, Crown Me with Roses, Hate You, Christ, I Do Not, I Am Tired, I Have a Terrible Cold, I Know, I Alone, If, After I Die.
June 13th 1893: Dorothy L. Sayers is born. Popular works include: Whose Body?, The Nine Tailors, Strong Poison, Murder Must Advertise, Have His Carcase, Gaudy Night, Busman's Honeymoon.
June 14th 1811: Harriet Beecher Stowe is born. Popular works include: Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Minister's Wooing, Oldtown Folks, Palmetto Leaves.
June 16th: Bloomsday. Commemorates the life and legend of Irish writer James Joyce and celebrates Thursday 16 June 1904, which is the day depicted in Joyce’s novel Ulysses.
June 16th 1938: Joyce Carol Oates is born. Popular works include: We Were the Mulvaneys, Smooth Talk.
June 18th 1949: Chris Van Allsburg is born. Popular works include: The Polar Express, Jumanji.
☀️ Final Thoughts
I hope today’s newsletter inspires you to add a little Hemingway to your summer reading life. Whether you start with The Old Man and the Sea or dive headfirst into his sprawling novels, there’s so much to discover—and so much that resonates just as strongly today.
As always, if you loved this newsletter, I’d be so grateful if you shared this email with a friend or fellow reader. Restacking also works too. Sharing helps keep the Weekend Edition free, and it helps me keep curating these lists for you each week. PLUS you get rewarded when someone subscribes using the link you shared.
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Wishing you a restful and book-filled,
Victoria
P.S. Mark your calendar and join us for June’s BYOB Club meeting Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at 7 pm ET. Bring a book you've read during the past month and share it with us.
