Did you know that July is National Picnic Month? It definitely makes sense, given that July brings peak summer weather. Let’s dive a bit deeper into the origins of picnics before moving on to some book recommendations.
The history of picnics
The word “picnic” is derived from the French word “piquenique.” They originated in mid-18th-century al fresco French dining, where you would almost always find the following: a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, some cheese, and fruit (fantasy readers must be tired of seeing the same items in every main character’s runaway basket by now). To put it simply – the easier it is to put together and eat, the better it is. It hasn't always been this way! NPR has a bit of picnic history:
"And in the Victorian era, picnics were very grand affairs indeed. In 1861, the definitive list of the Victorian picnic fare for England's upper class appeared in Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management. One could not eat outdoors without tables, linens, crystal, chairs, servants - and gourmet fare, of course."
It's a far cry from our blankets and coolers, but the idea was ultimately the same.
5 books to read on a picnic
With that said, if you’re looking for some appropriate picnic book recommendations that scream “CHEESE AND BAGUETTE”... without necessarily being fantasy, check out some of our suggestions!
A spirited romantic comedy featuring Chloe Brown's quest for excitement with her sexy, mysterious neighbor Red, taking readers on a wild ride full of humor and heart.
An emotional journey in a small town hides dark secrets and passionate romance between a mysterious man and a woman haunted by her past. A heartwarming read for fans of Colleen Hoover.
"I would bring "The Island Of Missing Trees.". It even has a menu from the restaurant in it." — Angel
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Desiree Worrall-Belanger is a Canadian bookish influencer known under the username @rainydayslibrary. Having been annotating for multiple years, Desiree shares her tips and tricks on her platforms - one of the primary focuses on her social media accounts as of late 2021. Pursuing an honors in English and a minor in Visual and Material Culture studies at Mount Allison University, Desiree is devoted to the world of words. If you’re trying to reach her and she doesn’t answer, odds are she’s at the bookstore, or perhaps she’s practicing some of her favorite hobbies such as reading, listening to music, and crocheting.