For the Love of Summer Reading: AKA 'The Beach Read'
- Katie Kowalski-Little
- Jul 13, 2023
- 4 min read
Now that July 4th has commenced, summer is in full swing. The days of vacations, leisure activities, and fun in the sun are truly upon us. Even though many Americans work 25% more on minimum than those in Europe, we still find the time for at least 1 - 2 weeks for a summer vacation. Interesting fact, most companies in the USA give 4 weeks of paid vacation while in most European countries it is 7 weeks. Some even get more weeks, depending on the company in Europe. However, it wasn't always like this in the United States. During the late 1700's through the 1900's, the upper class and middle class, the idea of the luxury resort came to fruition beginning in Niagara Falls, Catskills, and of course Newport, Rhode Island -- can we say The Breakers (huge mansion in Newport)? If you have never been, you need to visit the homes in Newport, they are beautiful works of architecture. Not only were they full of fun, these places, but the weather had the promise of temperate, moderate summers. I mean have you seen their attire back then!?! All those layers must have been HOT! So, heading north was only logical, especially for those from the south.
Once the Civil War ended, there was a big boost to the economy, and to the infrastructure, especially with the building of the railroad system in the United States. This then allowed people to travel further and longer distances in a less hostile means. Prior to this, they traveled by horse carriage, which took longer and was slightly more dangerous. This means of travel allowed for corporate summer resorts to pop-up in much of the Northeast. And the gimmicks of health and wellness "spas" also developed due to the mineral springs to get the wealthy to spend their time away from home. By this point in society, business owners (middle class), teachers and the like sought the life of luxury, and these places were just the thing they wanted. It also gave them "status" within society. These resorts were all the rage, especially after 1893's Chicago World's Fair that published the top of the top resorts. This began the advertising of the luxury summer resort.
Now, what was there to do at these resorts? Aside from sipping on a gin and tonic and fanning yourself, the idea of the 'Summer Read' became a reality. The life of leisure allowed for this to occur at this resorts. However, there was a push back. It was seen as frivolous and suspect to read for pleasure vs reading to obtain knowledge. One very well-known Preacher out of New York had called summer "light" reading as being toxic. This is does not surprise me in the least. Despite the idea of leisure was the purpose of these resorts, there was not much in ways of light reading. The social scene was a whirlwind at these places. Think about dances, plays, sports, picnics in cemeteries (yes death was a big part of their socialization) and much more. They were always "on the go", if you will. It wasn't until 1877, that there was a push by publishing companies to advertise the idea of a light summer read. Big named publishers like Houghton Mifflin, was on the verge of being pushed out of the business due to many pirated printers. The idea of printing summer reads for the idol days of summer, was just the way to come back on top.
Authors also came to the craze by writing books of leisure, one in particular, Laura Jean Libbey began the "dime novels" that later became part of this movement of light summer reading. Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Fanny Fern, Bertha M. Clay and Geraldine Fleming all wrote novels to be enjoyed while on summer vacations. Publishers took these and branded them by putting stickers saying "summer read" and the paperback became popular. They advertised the "new" form of publications to be easily stowed and carried, because to be honest, it is easier than a hardback book. They went hog wild with this idea and tapped into this market that was not only for the rich, but the ever rising middle class, or the genteel. They would even take books that were older in the book market, and have the sticker slapped on top in order to raise the book sales.
So, we have the start of what was coined 'summer read', what about the idea of 'beach reads'? This occurred in the 1990's, over 100 years later. Honestly, it became a trend that has not lost is luster or sparkle; as the term is STILL used today in book marketing. Go into any bookstore, or shop online late Spring and you will see curated shelves/searches just for that perfect 'beach read'. Many, according to articles I have been reading on this topic, will say a 'beach read' is NOT synonymous with 'summer read'. Others, like myself, honestly do not see the difference in terms of usage. Some state that for it to qualify as a 'beach read', it must take place at or near the beach and must be read while at the beach. Whereas 'summer read' can be anything of leisure that entertains you in the most mindless way possible no matter where you are in the summer months. Per advertising though, a 'beach read' is simply a book enjoyed during the summer.
Do we truly have to be self-contained to a certain type of book for the summer months? If you ask me, as long as it entertains and provides a sense of relaxation for you personally, then you can hashtag 'summer reads' or 'beach reads' to any book you read this summer. Read that murder mystery or romance novel, love it and share it! Books provide something different for each person. So, I say, pick your poison during your vacation or while you are outside watching your kids play, pick it up, read it, and #summerread. Happy reading my fellow book lovers!
*Special thanks to the following websites for delightful facts!
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