Summer Reading

To an outsider’s eye, Santa Barbara summers may not vary much from our winters, but locals know how these balmy days and light-filled evenings bring with them a certain sense of freedom. In January, short days were crammed between long nights, but in July there’s time for neighborhood strolls, garden parties, road trips, and family holidays. Along with the summertime leisure comes space for reflection on our journey through the seasons, and a chance to make sense of what we’ve been doing in the mad rush of life.

This year’s Summer Reading issue is devoted to Santa Barbara authors who know the importance of reflection and the power of a little perspective. UCSB professor W.D. King steps back from his fascination with collecting to reflect on the impulses that lie beneath it, while S.B. native Sienna Craig describes her Himalayan sojourns and discoveries-and what they’ve taught her about coming home again. Indy intern Catherine Meagher goes straight to the source of summer reading to bring you the top picks of bookstore employees across the city, and our monthly books columnist, Colin Marshall, takes an introspective look at the very-Santa Barbaran fascination with food.

Whether you spend your summer days here in town or off on a journey of your own, happy reading-and reflecting.

• UCSB Professor William Davies King’s Collections of Nothing by Colin Marshall

• Sienna Craig’s Mustang Adventure by Elizabeth Schwyzer

• Summer Book Lovin’ – Top Picks from the City’s Professional Bibliophiles by Catherine Meagher

• Hot Off the Press – Four Forays into Food by Colin Marshall