BOOKED FOR THE SUMMER

Escaping to the Forests and Coasts of the Pacific Northwest

What does it mean to be "booked for the summer?" For me, it holds two literal meanings:

First, it means my nightstand, eBook, and earbuds are groaning under the weight of a magnificent, towering stack of books. My literary appetite over the next few months is leaning heavily into dark, atmospheric, and wondrous territories. I'll be diving deep into gritty crime thrillers, unraveling complex mysteries, losing myself in the ethereal world of magical realism, and stepping back in time with historical fiction. I've also packed plenty of nonfiction focusing on one of my absolute favorite obsessions: forensics.

Second, "booked" means my calendar is filled with the physical spaces where I'll be devouring these pages. Until autumn arrives and calls me away on a long-distance journey, my summer's dedicated to local retreats. I'm drifting across the Pacific Northwest, chasing places that inspire both deep reading and focused writing. My itinerary moves from the rugged, misty coastlines of Washington and Oregon to the quiet sanctuary of the mountains, surrounded by glassy lakes and rushing rivers. Here, in the crisp PNW air, I'll be reading other authors' masterpieces while continuing to pen my own current manuscript.

Between the pages of a book and the beauty of the Northwest, I've found my perfect seasonal escape.

How about you? How are you "booked for the summer?" Are you traveling to new destinations, or is your nightstand piled high with a towering TBR stack? Tell me what you're reading or where you are going in the comments!