The Editors' Best Books for Summer: Magical Realism, Naples, and... Nostalgic Love

A vacation suitcase without a book? It's out of the question. In the second installment of our book recommendations series from Well.pl, we take you on a journey filled with magical realism, the unconventional city of Naples, and... love.

Warm sand beneath your toes, the gentle sound of waves, sunrays caressing your skin, and an espresso tonic right at hand. Or a summer afternoon with rain pattering on the balcony floor – because it's not the windows, which, as is often the case in summer, are wide open. Both of these options are missing just one thing from perfection: a book . A vacation essential – right next to sunglasses and suntan oil.

Because books affect me like a good TV series—and I admit I devour both equally voraciously—I've created my summer ranking: top of the top bookish comforters . The choice is highly subjective, but in the spirit of the summer, I opted for literature from the "lighter" category, although still

ambitious.

"Twelve Stories of the Wanderer" by Gabriel García Márquez

First, let me tell you a secret – I have a weakness for short stories . Short literary forms can leave a legacy longer than many a voluminous tome, and there are many that have stolen my heart.

One year, I decided to take the plunge and read everything written by Gabriel García Márquez . Among these gems, I discovered " Twelve Stories of the Wanderer "—a collection that's perfect for summer, especially traveling , especially abroad. Not only because of its themes of migration and people lost between countries, but also because of the lightness and precision with which Márquez weaves his stories. My favorite is "El avión de la bella durmiente," or "The Airplane of Sleeping Beauty."

It tells the story of a man waiting for a flight from Paris to New York. In the long line at Charles de Gaulle Airport , he spots an exceptionally beautiful woman. As fate would have it, they're on the same plane, and what's more, they have seats next to each other. Does the spell break when the woman decides to… fall asleep next to her admirer? Nothing of the sort. If no literary text has ever made you laugh, you absolutely must pick this one up.

The Best Book About Love for the Holidays - "South of the Border, West of the Sun" by Haruki Murakami

If it's summer, it must be love . Hello, who among us has never dreamed of a summer romance ?! But don't worry – my favorite book isn't reserved exclusively for women; after all, I'm not trying to serve up " 50 Shades of Grey " here. The protagonist, Hajime, is a man in his forties – professionally fulfilled, running a jazz club, married, and a father. Yet, somewhere beneath the surface of his life, something unspoken simmers – the memory of a long-ago, youthful love for a girl named Shimamoto.

Their childhood relationship ended without words, but years later, Shimamoto unexpectedly returns… Stop. I won't reveal more. " South of the Border, West of the Sun " is one of Murakami's most subtle and intimate novels – devoid of cheap flourishes, but filled with tension, longing, and – as is typical with him – tender nostalgia. And perhaps even a touch of madness?

"Naples as sweet as salt" - a fresh report by Piotr Kępiński

This next book will certainly appeal to fans of reportage and Italian atmosphere. I must admit that I discovered it myself recently – during this year's city

break by the sea. Naples had been looming in my mind for a long time, especially after watching "It Was the Hand of God" by Paolo Sorrentino and the classic "L'oro di

Napoli" from 1954. So as soon as I saw the title " Naples Sweet as Salt ", I knew it would be a bull's-eye. And well – I was not wrong.

Piotr Kępiński serves up a bittersweet, or rather salty-sweet, portrait of the city of Vesuvius —full of contrasts: light and shadow, sacred and profane, laughter and anger. This isn't a classic guidebook, but a literary journey —through alleyways, cafes, metro stations, and underground tunnels. Here we have the Camorra , Maradona , and Saint Januarius . And while I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of reportage—and I was drawn to this book by the title and Naples itself—it's a great read with a dose of local flavor, authentic and with a healthy dose of Italian flair. Oh! And it's brand new, because it premiered on June 4th.