June 2021: 11 Summer Flicks and Beach Reads

Personal Growth

June 05, 2021

Summer is here and it's time to reminisce about the summers of before. The warm sand, the saltiness of the sea wind, the hot burning sun, and melting ice cream were all aspects of our lives that we associate with that summer feeling. This last summer wasn't as eventful as we had thought, many of us being stuck inside.

However, this summer, with restrictions lifted, we can return to having that summer feeling. Here are some summer flicks and book reads that are sure to get you in the summer mood.

Movies

1. SPF-18

Image Credit: SPF-18, Movie Quibble

If you're interested in sand and surfing, this is the movie for you. Starring Noah Centineo and Carson Meyer, this movie follows a teen who wants something new and exciting. Penny Cooper has always felt in the shadow of her movie star mother, Faye Cooper (Molly Ringwald).

Penny wants to spend time with her flame, Johnny Sanders, at his beach house in Malibu, California. Things get heated when a musician enters into the picture, and Penny starts to become distracted. This movie is filled with love, drama, friends, and fun. SPF-18 is about going after what you want, even if it becomes difficult chasing after it.

2. The Kissing Booth

Image Credit: The Kissing Booth, IMDb

I would highly recommend watching The Kissing Booth if you have never seen it. It is true what they say, the original is always better than the sequel. This movie gives off total summer vibes, especially with the chemistry between characters Elle Evans and Noah Flynn.

The Kissing Booth follows Elle Evans and her friendship with Lee Flynn. Elle and Lee have been friends since birth, and have gone through everything together. As they grow up, Elle discovers and develops feelings for Lee's rebellious brother, Noah Flynn.

Lee and Elle develop an amazing idea for a school fundraiser, a kissing booth. It's no surprise that everyone at school wants Noah to volunteer, given his appearance and bad boy reputation. As Elle accidentally volunteers blindly, she becomes paired with Noah by pure coincidence.

Sparks fly, drama occurs, and unexpected things happen. Because of this, Lee forces Elle to decide between his brother and him. Which will matter more to Elle? A strong friendship since birth, or a feisty flame she's secretly had since childhood?

3. The Sandlot

Image Credit: The Sandlot, Disney Plus

The Sandlot is a classic summer movie told from the perspective of the new kid in town, Scotty Smalls. If that last name sounds familiar, it's probably because you've heard Hamilton "Ham" Porter exclaim, "You're killing me Smalls!" This classic film is about friendship, overcoming The Beast, and the great game of baseball. Scotty Smalls is the new kid in town, moving just in time for summer to start.

Smalls has always been the outsider, never having any friends, that is until Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez invites Smalls for a game of ball. This film will definitely put you in the summer mood, from hot summer days and city pools to barbecuing and fireworks on the Fourth of July.

4. Mamma Mia! Here we Go Again

Image Credit: Mamma Mia, IMDb

This movie is filled with romance, memories, and music. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Sophie tries to run the hotel her deceased mother started and operated with the help of her family. Throughout the movie, Sophie realizes that in trying to start up and renovate the hotel, she's in the same place where her mother was when she was her age.

This allows the audience to go back and see Donna's journey and life, starting with her graduation. Donna is confused about what to do, where to go, and who to be in life. So Donna does what Donna does best, and she becomes spontaneous and goes to Greece.

Along the way, Donna meets Bill, Harry, and Sam, getting involved in a tangled romance with each one of them. Throughout her journey, Donna finds herself and where she belongs in the world while realizing what she wants out of life. Starring Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Lily James, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosman, and Stellan Skarsgârd, this musical movie will fill you with all the summer feels.

5. Palm Springs

Image Credit: Palm Springs, IMDb

This movie is filled with comedy. Starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, this film is your typical Groundhog Day situation, every day is the same day. Nyles and Sarah meet at a wedding in Palm Springs and get to know each other at the event.

Before long, both are interested in each other. As Nyles is shot at with an arrow, both escape and enter a cave filled with a glowing light. That light seems to be the reason for their time loop, making them relive the same day over and over again.

Both see no point in living and even question life. However, as they go through this time loop together, they grow closer together, and eventually a romance blossoms.

6. Flipped

Image Credit: Flipped, Movies Anywhere

This coming-of-age movie is about the back and forth blossoming romance between Julie Baker and Bryce Loski. Julie Baker had always liked Bryce, ever since she moved across the street from him. In her mind, he just needs to get used to her and will eventually like her.

Bryce has never liked Julie Baker. He always thought she was weird and strange, even as a kid when she moved in across the street. Throughout the movie and as they grow older, both characters share their perspectives on each other.

The narration goes back and forth between Julie and Bryce, sparking an on-again-off-again liking for each other. As Bryce becomes apparent and Julie realizes he doesn't like her, she steps back and lets go of crushing on Bryce. Bryce sees and notes how Julie acts differently and starts realizing that, growing to like Julie. This movie will make you realize that this summer is all about taking chances and realizing things you never realized before.

7. Crazy Rich Asians

Image Credit: Crazy Rich Asians, IMDb

This movie is filled with romance, chills, shade, and comedy. Starring Constance Wu and Henry Golding, this rom-com will definitely put you in the summer tropical mood. Rachel Chu is an economics professor and does not know that her boyfriend, Nick Young, is loaded and rich from his family's wealth.

When Nick persuades Rachel to accompany him to his best friend's wedding in Singapore, she then realizes that she's an outsider compared to Nick's family. Rachel doesn't come from a wealthy family and spends her time in Singapore trying to impress Nick's mother. Rachel soon realizes that Nick's mother doesn't approve of her, and she steps back and away from Nick.

Nick must choose between marrying Rachel and leaving his family's wealth, or staying in the family business and leaving Rachel. Rachel is selfless, and even though Nick's mom doesn't approve of her, she makes her realize that there is more to a person than wealth. This film really questions which is more important: wealth with family, or true love.

8. All Summers End

Image Credit: All Summers End, IMDb

In this film, to prove that his friends are more important than his crush, Conrad must pull a prank made by his friends, Hunter and Tim. This doesn't play out well for him though. Conrad's choices result in a tragic accident for Grace's family, Grace is his crush.

Throughout the summer, Conrad faces tough decisions like hanging out with his friends who want to forget their guilt or comforting Grace out of guilt for what he did to her family. As he gets to know Grace more throughout the summer, he realizes that his love for Grace grows more and he must tell her the truth. This movie is filled with romance, loss, friendship, and tragedy. Sometimes, love is worth the risk.

Books

1. Second Chance Summer

Image Credit: Second Chance Summer, Goodreads

Written by Morgan Matson, this story is about hope and romance. After Taylor finds out that her father has pancreatic cancer, her family spends one summer away at their lake house in the Pocono Mountains. Her family has always been busy, and ever since the devastating news, they have been busier than ever.

This summer, Taylor has a chance to spend time with her family away from all the craziness in her life. However, once she's back at the lake house, Taylor has all these memories of summer's past, including her best friend and first boyfriend, who looks very different. This is the summer Taylor can spend with her family, reminiscing about the summers long ago.

2. Stay Sweet

Image Credit: Stay Sweet, Simon & Schuster

Amelia has always been "Head Girl" at the Meade Creamery every summer, working alongside her best friend Cate. The Creamery, run by Molly Meade, started out as a traditional sweet in order to cheer up girlfriends when their significant others went to war. Years later, it became a famous creamery around the town of Sand Lake.

When the owner, Molly Meade dies, Amelia doesn't feel like she can handle the creamery by herself as Head Girl. That is until Molly's grandnephew, Grady, comes into town to help out and get all of Molly's affairs in order. Written by Siobhan Vivan, this book gives off summer romance vibes along with friendship and ice cream.

3. The Summer I Turned Pretty Series

Image Credit: The Summer I Turned Pretty, Biblio.com

This series is by far my favorite, and it's no surprise because of the author, Jenny Han, who is well-known for her other series, "To All The Boys I've Loved Before". Belly has always associated her favorite memories with summer, especially ones that involve Jeremiah and Conrad. However, it only takes one summer to change everything, even the bonds you have with close friends.

This book is essentially a love triangle, and I love it. Belly has always thought of Jeremiah and Conrad as her brother figures, especially because her mother is close to their mother, Susannah. She's always thought of Susannah as her second mother, spending all her summers at their beach house in Cousins Beach.

Growing up, Belly has had a growing crush on Conrad, and she hopes that this is the summer he realizes and sees that. However, what Belly doesn't know is that Conrad and Jeremiah see Belly differently this summer, and it's bound to get all three of them in romantic, tangling trouble.

Samantha Ferrer
300k+ pageviews

Writer since Jul, 2020 · 26 published articles

Samantha Ferrer is a 21-year-old in California and is currently in her fourth year of college. She enjoys reading, writing, spending time with close friends, and binge-watching her favorite shows and movies. Samantha also enjoys watching Rom-Coms and John Hughes movies. In her free time, you can find Samantha thrift shopping, and enjoying/looking at nature.

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