Let’s face it: not everyone can swing a summer in Positano sipping Aperol spritzes on a cliffside terrace. But that doesn’t mean you can’t feel like you’re there. These three books offer the perfect Euro-summer fantasy—minus the airfare and gelato budget.
1. “Call Me By Your Name” by André Aciman
📍 Set in: Northern Italy
This modern classic is the ultimate summer romance. Set in the sun-drenched Italian countryside, it follows the slow-burning relationship between Elio and Oliver during one unforgettable season. Aciman’s prose is lush, sensual, and so evocative you’ll practically feel the heat rising off the cobblestones.
Perfect for: dreamy afternoons, emotional introspection, and pretending you’re lounging by a villa pool.
2. “Bonjour Tristesse” by Françoise Sagan
📍 Set in: The French Riviera
Written when Sagan was just 18, this novella is a moody, elegant tale of a teenage girl’s summer with her father and his mistress. Set against the glittering backdrop of the Côte d’Azur, it’s equal parts sun-soaked and emotionally sharp. Think vintage Chanel meets existential ennui.
Perfect for: fans of French cinema, complicated feelings, and coastal glamour with a side of melancholy.
3. “The Island of Missing Trees” by Elif Shafak
📍 Set in: Cyprus & London
This lyrical novel blends history, romance, and magical realism as it explores the legacy of a forbidden love during the Cyprus conflict. Shafak’s storytelling is rich and immersive, and the Mediterranean setting is as much a character as the people in it.
Perfect for: thoughtful readers who want their summer reads to have depth, heart, and a touch of magic.
✨ Bonus Tip:
Pair your reading with a chilled glass of rosé, a breezy playlist, and a sunbeam. You’ll be surprised how far a good book can take you.
SINON 