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Traveler of Charleston’s Summer Reading Guide 2017

Table of Contents

If your idea of summer relaxation includes a juicy page-turner, you’re in luck. And, if you love Southern authors and stories, you’ve hit the jackpot with these new books – hitting the stores and online booksellers just in time for your Charleston beach vacation. Check out our recommendations for great summer reads:

Beach House for Rent

We’ve never disappointed by the works of Isle of Palms resident Mary Alice Monroe, who crafts beautiful stories set in the Lowcountry. Plus, each of her books highlights a particular species of wildlife and the challenges it faces. You finish each book having learned about the local environment, conservation and ways you can make a difference. Her latest book, due out June 20, is “Beach House for Rent,” the final installment of Monroe’s successful Beach House Series, which began with “The Beach House” novel back in 2002.

Beach House for Rent by Mary Alice MonroeIn this new novel, two women from different generations find a common bond and deep friendship thanks to a beloved beach house. Cara Rutledge, 50, rents her quaint beach house on Isle of Palms to 26-year-old Heather Wyatt for the summer. Heather’s anxiety keeps her indoors with her caged canaries, until the shorebirds she’s painting – and a man who rescues them – lures her out to beach. As Heather begins to find her footing, Cara’s life is struck with sudden tragedy.

When their worlds shift like the sand under their feet these two very different women come together to discover their common bonds and unique strengths. We were fortunate enough to snag an advanced copy of “Beach House for Rent” and recommend it highly for your summer reading.

Bonus: The first book in this series, “The Beach House,” has been made into a Hallmark Channel original movie starring Andie MacDowell, who also is executive producer. Look for the movie to air in May 2018.

Same Beach, Next Year

Another favorite local author is Dorothea Benton Frank, whose books also highlight the Charleston area and beaches. Her new novel, “Same Beach, Next Year,” is a celebration of the power of friendship, the enduring promise of summer and the indelible bonds of love.

In the novel, a chance meeting on the Isle of Palms brings former sweethearts Adam Stanley and Eve Landers together again. Their respective spouses, Eliza and Carl, fight sparks of jealousy flaring from their imagined rekindling of old flames. As Adam and Eve get caught up on their lives, their partners strike up a deep friendship—and flirt with an unexpected attraction—of their own.

Year after year, Adam, Eliza, Eve, and Carl eagerly await their reunion at the beach, where they grow closer with each passing day, building a friendship that will withstand family tragedy and devastating heartbreak.

Slightly South of Simple

We’re eager to dive into the works of Kristy Woodson Harvey, a young author in North Carolina. Her first book, “Dear Carolina,” in 2015 was long-listed for the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize, has been optioned for film and has appeared on numerous “must-read” lists. In 2016, she published “Lies and Other Acts of Love.”

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson HarveyThis summer, we can embark on the first of Harvey’s new Peachtree Bluff Series with “Slightly South of Simple.” This novel chronicles the journeys of three sisters and their mother—and a secret from their past that has the potential to tear them apart and reshape their very definition of what it means to be a family. Harvey has been described as “the next major voice in Southern fiction.” Sounds like one to put in the beach bag for sure!

The Weekenders

Grab the paperback of “The Weekenders” by Mary Kay Andrews and set on the island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. When Riley Griggs is waiting for her husband to arrive at the ferry one Friday afternoon, she is instead served with papers informing her that her island home is being foreclosed. To make matters worse, her husband is nowhere to be found.

She turns to her island friends for help and support, but each of them has their The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrewsown secrets and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens. Cocktail parties and crab boil aside, Riley must find a way to investigate the secrets of Belle Island, the husband she might not really know, and the summer that could change everything.

Bonus: If reading cookbooks is fun for you, check out Andrews’ new culinary collection, “The Beach House Cookbook,” packed with Southern recipes from this Atlanta-based author.

Be Free or Die

Be Free or Die by Cate LineberryAvailable on June 20 is the powerful book “Be Free or Die.” North Carolina author Cate Lineberry has crafted a compelling narrative that illuminates Robert Smalls’ journey from slave to Union hero and ultimately U.S. congressman. It also gives insight and knowledge into the country’s first efforts to help newly freed slaves while also illustrating the many struggles and achievements of African Americans during the war.

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re a local bookstore junkie, check out these great independent Charleston booksellers:

Blue Bicycle Books: 420 King St. near Marion Square. Packed with used books, first editions, books by Charleston authors, children’s books and more, this is a must-visit bookstore for any reader. Check the website for a list of upcoming author luncheons and book signing events.

Buxton Books: 2A Cumberland St. Visit this regionally focused independent bookstore and check out their book-based walking tours based on “The Lost Stories of Black Charleston” and “The Ghosts of Charleston.”

Preservation Society of Charleston: 147 King St. History buffs will love this bookstore and shop filled with Charleston culture and charm.

Visiting Charleston Just Got Way Easier!

TourPass includes all the top tours and attractions & historic sites. Save up to 40% or more on admissions + skip the lines

Charleston FAQ's

Choosing a hotel and where to stay in Charleston all depends on your budget and goals. Do you want to stay Downtown, at the beach or in the outer areas such as North Charleston where you have to drive to get everywhere? For more help on deciding: https://travelerofcharleston.com/articles/hotels/

Charleston has 3 main public beaches which are: Folly, Isle of Palms and Sullivans. Each beach has it’s own atmosphere. The most common beach that people visit is Folly Beach and then Isle of Palms followed by Sullivans Island. For more info on Charleston’s beaches visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/

Charleston, SC is full of historical things to do. Everything from museums, to public sites and free landmark sites such as Rainbow Row and the Battery can be seen. For more info on Charleston’s top historical sites visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/places-to-learn-about-charleston-sc-history/

There are many things that will keep the kids and family entertained and educated in Charleston. There are historic sites such as Fort Sumter, a Children’s Museum, Aquarium and the USS Yorktown…a WWII era aircraft carrier you can tour. For more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-family-fun-activities/

There’s so many  things you could do in Charleston it can be overwhelming. We recommend that first time visitors, checkout the ultimate first-time visitor guide here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-first-time-visitors-guide/

Spring in Charleston, SC is an amazing time of year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the weather is mild and sunny. For more info, check-out our spring guide to Charleston here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-springtime-in-charleston/

Summer in Charleston is a great time to visit. There’s plenty of things to keep you busy and visiting the beach will probably….or should be on your short-list. Also water-based activities and tours are popular. Checkout this summer guide to Charleston for more info: 

Our 10 Favorite Summer Activities in Charleston

Fall is one of the best times to visit. The weather cools down a bit and the skies are typically blue and clear. In addition there are many great events, festivals and the large crowds of summer have gone back to school or work. For more info on visiting in the fall, checkout this article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-12-things-to-do-fall/

There are so many great things to do that it’s difficult to narrow the list down. This article does a great job with figuring out the must do things to do in Charleston

7 Can’t Miss Reasons to Visit Charleston, SC Now

The consensus is a minimum of 3-days is needed to settle in and experience Charleston. For instance, many people take 2 days exploring downtown and another day visiting sites outside of downtown such as the plantations, Angel Oak Tree or beaches. Checkout this page for a list of tours and attractions: 

Charleston’s Top Tours & Attractions | Things to do

Downtown Charleston was made for walking and for sure one of the best way to soak up and experience the history first-hand. This article goes over getting around Charleston with and without a car as well: 

Getting Around Charleston, SC

We’re of course partial to Charleston, but here’s the truth. There are many similarities however there are some differences in our opinion: 

  • Both cities are historic and beautiful. 
  • Both cities are extremely walkable. Savannah, with it’s park-like squares maybe more walkable than Charleston. 
  • Charleston has a more established and food scene with many more options. 
  • Charleston has better hotels and shopping.
  • Both cities have equally good tours.
  • Charleston has better beach options. Savannah has Tybee which is great, however it’s 1 beach vibe versus Charleston which has 3 beaches with different vibes. Checkout this Charleston beach guide article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/
  • In Savannah you can walk with alcoholic beverages on the street. This is not allowed in Charleston. This can be good or bad depending on your stance. 
  • Savannah is more affordable.
  • TourPass offers all-inclusive passes in both cities: https://tourpass.com

There are always great and world-class events happening in Charleston. For a calendar of events and things to do in Charleston, checkout our online calendar of events: https://travelerofcharleston.com/events/

Of course there are free money-saving coupons that you can use. Visit the coupons page for a bunch of ways to save: https://travelerofcharleston.com/coupon/

Charleston has some fantastic can’t miss tours such as Fort Sumter, carriage, ghost, harbor, historic and culinary tours. For a full list with more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/attractions/

Checkout the Charleston Relocation Guide page which will guide you during your move: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-sc-relocation-guide/

Additional Places to Explore

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