a call me by your name, adrianne lenker, sad girl summer master list

Hello.

Are you feeling lonely this summer, too?

Let me share my summertime master list with you. Today, we’re discussing foods to make, treats to bake, films, music, activities, books, traditions, and more- the ultimate comfort list to soothe your soul during these warmer months.

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Films:

-La Collectionneuse (1967)

-Bonjour Tristesse (1958)

-Le Rayon Vert (1986)

-The Virgin Suicides (1999)

-Pierrot Le Fou (1965)

-Call Me By Your Name (2017)

-Le Bonheur (1965)

-(500) Days of Summer (2009)

-Matilda (1996)

-L’une Chante L’autre Pas (1974)

-The Dreamers (2003)

-Je T’aime Moi Non Plus (1976)

Books:

Good Material by Dolly Alderton A candid and witty exploration of modern relationships and the complexities of finding love in today's world.

Another Country by James Baldwin A powerful narrative that tackles race, sexuality, and identity through the intertwined lives of diverse characters in 1950s New York.

The Ethics of Ambiguity by Simone de Beauvoir This existentialist work discusses the complexities of human freedom and ethics, emphasizing the ambiguity inherent in our choices and actions.

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury A nostalgic and poetic ode to childhood, capturing the magic and beauty of summer in a small Midwestern town.

Existentialism is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre This book is a clear and accessible introduction to existentialist thought, explaining Sartre’s views on freedom, responsibility, and the human condition.

How to Catch a Man, How to Keep a Man, How to Get Rid of a Man by Zsa Zsa Gabor A humorous and glamorous guide to romance and relationships, offering playful advice from a Hollywood icon.

Laughter in the Dark by Vladimir Nabokov A darkly comedic tale of obsession and betrayal, centered on an ill-fated affair between a middle-aged man and a young seductress.

Abigail by Magda Szabó A moving story set during World War II, focusing on a young girl's experiences at a strict boarding school and her mysterious protector.

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus Camus's philosophy of the absurd and his views on how we can find meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.

Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan A provocative coming-of-age story about a teenage girl's summer on the French Riviera and the emotional turmoil that ensues.

Brutes by Dizz Tate A haunting exploration of adolescence, friendship, and the eerie undercurrents of a small Florida town.

Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre This book examines the themes of meaninglessness, freedom, and the human condition through the experiences of Antoine Roquentin, who feels a profound sense of existential nausea.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion A seminal collection of essays capturing the counterculture and social upheavals of 1960s California with incisive and elegant prose.

Letters to Milena by Franz Kafka A collection of deeply personal and philosophical correspondence that reveals Kafka's intense love for Milena Jesenská and his reflections on life, love, and his own existential struggles.

Outline by Rachel Cusk A novel about a writer teaching in Athens, constructed through a series of conversations that reveal deep insights into the human condition.

Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto A poignant and delicate story about loss, healing, and the comforting power of food and family.

Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann A glamorous and gritty saga of three women navigating the highs and lows of fame, addiction, and heartbreak in the entertainment industry.

After Delores by Sarah Schulman A raw and gritty noir novel about a woman's quest for revenge after her lover leaves her for another woman.

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante The first book in the Neapolitan Quartet, chronicling the intense and complex friendship between two girls growing up in post-war Naples.

The Waves by Virginia Woolf A lyrical and experimental novel following the inner lives and interconnectedness of six friends from childhood to old age.

Speedboat by Renata Adler A fragmented and witty narrative that captures the chaos and absurdity of modern life through the eyes of a journalist.

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides A haunting and lyrical novel about the mysterious lives and tragic fates of the five Lisbon sisters in a suburban neighborhood.

Nadja by André Breton A surreal and poetic exploration of love and obsession, centered on the author's encounter with a mysterious and enigmatic woman.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov A controversial and exquisitely written story of a man's obsessive and destructive love for a young girl.

Pure Colour by Sheila Heti A philosophical and imaginative novel that contemplates art, existence, and the nature of love and beauty.

Activities:

-lakeside picnics: yes, picnics at the park are great. find a lake. something woodsy. something with this vibe.

-outdoor movie nights: amazon sells decently priced projectors. grab a white sheet and set up a cute outdoor movie night with lots of snacks and drinks for friends. if you don’t want to go through the hassle, you can always go to a drive in movie theatre.

-pottery classes: places like Happy Medium are perfect for this type of creative date. If you’re not in nyc, see what local places offer pottery classes. preferably with a wheel.

-visit the aquarium: sea life, sun, water, etc. this is an ideal daytime summer activity especially on hot days.

-go wine tasting, explore a vineyard: i’m not a big drinker at all, but i love the idea of visiting a vineyard with a few close friends. it feels very parent trap.

-beach trips with a bonfire at night and s’mores: a quintessential summer activity to do with a big group of friends. even if you’re someone like me, who does not like the beach, this feels like a different beach experience. the sun is setting, you’re eating hamburgers and chips, you’re drinking ice cold soda, the music is great, you’re taking film photos, you smell like sunscreen and salt water, and you get to make s’mores- it’s perfect.

-farmers market: summer is the best season for produce (besides fall). it’s stone fruit season. peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines- all of the most delicious juicy fruits that are begging to be baked in a pie or cobbler.

-plant an herb garden: no matter how small of a space you live in, an herb garden is something that you can do indoor or outdoors on your porch or balcony. this is one of my favorites.

-watch french summer films: it’s an eric rohmer summer

-visit the zoo: this is another great daytime activity, preferably done on a day that’s not too hot.

-hot summer rainy walks: there is nothing I love more than hot summer rain. it’s sticky and wet and moody and the sky weeps and makes you feel something. hot summer rain is for the sad girl summer girls- the girls who listen to adrianne lenker by the lake reading a book. hot summer rain is for the girls who prefer autumn.

-go to the fair and eat funnel cake: warm summer nights when the air smells like angel food cake, you’re playing arcade games and winning little stuffed animals that will forever encapsulate fleeting happiness and the lights are bright and you’re eating funnel cake with your friends.

-scrapbook: can we all have a crafty summer? go on etsy and/or ebay and search for vintage stickers. debbie mumm and susan branch are some of my favorites. i also love susie zoo. take tons of film photos and collect followers and movie tickets and other trinkets that you can put in your scrapbook.

-take film photos: see above ^

-blueberry picking: u-pick farms are my absolute favorite activity to do solo, with friends, or with a lover. you can go to the farm all year round and each activity changes with the seasons. blueberrys and peaches are perfect for the summer. often times, u-pick farms will have little farm animals that you can visit after picking your fruits and veggies from the garden.

-bake a summer pie: you can use the berries you picked to bake a blueberry pie. cherry pie, peach pie, apple pie (for late summer), are all perfect pie options for the summer. if you’re not up to baking a pie from scratch, cobblers, crisps, and buckles are all easy alternatives to give you a similar flavor with less effort and time in the kitchen. try to find pie recipes from vintage cookbooks. i love the silver palate, you can’t go wrong with the joy of cooking, and the cold weather cookbooks are another great option.

-read books under a tree: touch grass and read books.

-host a s’mores making party: you can buy one of those indoor s’more makers and have a little party with your friends and watch movies together.

-make a summer playlist: curate memories with music. this is something i do all year round. i’ll share some of my favorite playlists below.

-visit the museum: this is the perfect thing to do if it’s too hot outside. it’s a great option for a solo date or something you can do with your lover.

-homemade pizza nights: this would be so fun to do with girlfriends. have a few close friends over, make heart-shaped pizza, drink wine, listen to jazz, spill tea, etc.

-make friendship bracelets: another cute activity you can do with a friend. this would be fun to do during the day while having a picnic at the park.

-collect seashells: if you live near the beach, take a walk in the sand barefoot and collect little seashells (something else you can add into your scrapbook)

-make homemade ice cream: they sell smaller ice cream makers on amazon and i swear to you, making ice cream from scratch is worth it. when i was a little girl, before my dad turned into a cvnt and cheated on my mom and married a bunch a different women and ruined my life, we would have big bbq parties at home and he would make homemade vanilla ice cream. despite how much i really don’t like my father, the man could cook and it was by far the best ice cream i’ve ever had in my life. both of my parents loved to cook, which is why i write about it here frequently. it’s my biggest resource to find comfort- cooking, baking, reading cookbooks, watching ina garten and other food shows. it soothes my soul.

Speaking of food, let’s talk about some recipes to make that feel like summer. I’m not going to attach recipes because I’ve been baking things from cookbooks and less from the internet. Although, if you’re looking for a solid online resource for recipes, I highly recommend the NYT Cooking app. And there are very few people I look to outside of that app who I trust with good recipes as the digital world of “food media” and “food blogging” has become so overly saturated it’s overwhelming.

I read the cookbook my grandmother wrote with her friends, The Joy of Cooking, The Silver Palate, The Cold Weather Cookbook, Classic Home Desserts by Richard Sax, and several others. If you’re interested in more resources for all things food, please let me know. Nothing would bring me more joy.

Foods & Treats to Make:

-caprese salad: it’s tomato season! use them up, buy good cheese, fresh basil (from your herb garden), and drizzle with a good balsamic vinaigrette.

-panzanella: a classic Italian dish made of toasty crispy bread, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers, tossed in a light vinaigrette.

-pasta with garlic bread: my mom used to make the best spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread. this just feels like the perfect simple meal to eat on a summer day.

-a huge plate of fresh fruit: this goes without saying- strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, watermelon, peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, and melons.

-s’mores: to make and enjoy alone or with friends. do you prefer your marshmallows extra toasty, on fire, and burnt or do you like them golden brown and lightly toasted?

-honey cornbread: a sweet and moist variation of traditional cornbread, made with honey for added flavor and sweetness, often enjoyed as a side dish or snack. Pair with chili during late summer.

-popcorn and apples: my year-round favorite snack.

-wood fired pizza: pizza cooked in a traditional wood-burning oven, giving it a unique smoky flavor, crispy crust, and slightly charred edges.

-cold sesame cucumber salad: made with thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in a tangy sesame dressing. the most refreshing afternoon snack.

-cold soba noodles: chilled buckwheat noodles served with a light dipping sauce or broth, often accompanied by garnishes like green onions, nori, and wasabi

-ricotta toast with tomato and/or avocado: ricotta toast topped with juicy tomatoes or creamy avocado makes for a simple yet delicious summer breakfast or snack.

-roasted veggies: roasted artichoke hearts, corn, and eggplant bring out the best of summer's bounty with their rich, caramelized flavors.

-gyoza: crispy, pan-fried Japanese dumplings filled with savory meat and vegetables are perfect for a light summer appetizer

-spring rolls: packed with crisp vegetables and herbs. the perfect light and refreshing snack

-cold muesli: sometimes soaked overnight or raw and served chilled, it’s a nutritious and refreshing breakfast option for hot summer mornings. this breakfast reminds me of my childhood when i would spend the night at my grandparents house. my grandfather would always eat muesli and go on and on about how healthy it and how it would give us the perfect amount of nourishment and energy to be smart and have a good day.

-blueberry muffins: freshly baked blueberry muffins with a little caramelized sugar topping or crumble bursting with juicy berries- my weakness.

-cherry pie: sweet and tangy cherries with a flaky, buttery crust is a classic summer dessert that's hard to resist.

-hot dogs, hamburgers, fries: nothing says summer like a barbecue spread of hot dogs, hamburgers, and crispy fries, perfect for outdoor gatherings.

-cottage cheese with sweet or savory pairings: this is my new favorite snack. ever. good culture makes a lactose free one that i love.

-peanut butter and jelly sandwiches: a timeless and nostalgic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a quick, no-fuss meal that's perfect for picnics and summer lunches.

Music:

-melancholic summer and this one and this one

-jazzy summer and this one, too oh, and this one

-lofi summer

-indie bedroom pop summer and this is another good one i made

Did I miss anything?

I hope you enjoyed and I hope you fall in love with new films and start new traditions and read books that allow you to escape and eat perfect picnic foods and create the best memories this summer.

Love you, bye <3

claire’s knee (1970)