The Summer Book

by Susan Branch

A hand-lettered, hand-painted book of everything related to summer has a hundred summer recipes--including Blueberry Bread Pudding and Barbecued Bourbon Chicken--and features picnics, parties, gardening advice, herbal cooking, home remedies, and anecdotes. 100,000 first printing. Tour.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Summer, Art, Food, Summer Reads

128 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

I'm the author of the Heart of the Home series of hand-written and watercolored books, and most recently, a three-part illustrated memoir that begins with The Fairy Tale Girl (as the appetizer), goes to Martha's Vineyard, Isle of Dreams (for main course), and then (for dessert) it's A Fine Romance, Falling in Love with the English Countryside. (You can take the girl out of the cookbook, but you can never take the cookbook out of the girl.) Hope you love them. I've been waiting a long time to tell this story.

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Reviews

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Gina House · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, incredibly fun, comforting and inspiring! This book is everything that I love about summer. The colorful watercolor drawings are so perfect that I could look at them for hours. Opening the book (with its gorgeous endpapers and hand drawn text) is like stepping into summer itself. There’s something so special about Susan Branch’s positive spirit that shines through every page. Highly recommended! 🤩🧡☀️🏖

[Laurie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“And when the rain beats against my window pain, I’ll think of Summer Days again and dream of you.”

I found this Gem in a Thrift Store this morning. 🥰 I plowed through it.

[Angie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Perfection From Our Sweet Sue! I Love This Book! xoxo Poof! •*¨`*.¸.•♥

[Sherrie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all-time favorite book. I have used this book since I got married 18 years ago to cook some of my family's favorites. I read it at the beginning of every summer to "get in the mood" for the season. This book basically taught me how to cook!

[Aleta Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS was my first Susan Branch book and I instantly and completely fell in love with Susan Branch's style! I feel like a kindred friend of hers, and this book made me want to own all of her books!

[Krissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

Excellent art, recipes, crafts, and garden advice. I love these books!

[Victoria Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is THE Summer Book! "Here Comes Summer....'The easeful days, the dreamless nights; The homely round of plain delights; The calm, unambitioned mine, The simple stuff of summer time.'" ~ After Austin Dobson. So it begins, in Susan Branch's lovely hand painted print, with a woman in a big hat facing the beach. Then, it's just a feast for the eyes and tummy as it goes on with delightful illustrations, bits of verse, recipes for every summer occasion from picnics, to beach cookouts, to the 'Simple but Elegant Midnight Supper', to a tea party, to the most correct 'bologna' sandwich, perfect if you can find a Roy Rogers movie to go with it. "A picnic is a state of mind and can be made anywhere." And on the oppositve page, a quote from Auden. This is a book to relish and cherish throughout the summer. Did you know there's a drink, 'Skip and Go Naked'? Also, this is where I first heard of Jell-o Shooters. Oh, those party folk on the Vineyard! I've had this book for years, and it accompanies me through every summer. And, even as I mourn the end of summer, I am cheered when I replace it on the bookshelf, because there is The Autumn Book, and the ever beloved The Heart of the Home. Susan Branch. Don't try to create a home without her! (And these books are never 'finished' ~ they are friends!)

[Sharon Ouderkirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summer Book contains mostly recipes, all presented with a summer theme. I enjoyed reading through the recipes, and looking at the watercolour illustrations and her chosen inspirational quotations. Definitely captures the best of summer, the 'ideal' of summer that we think about in winter, rather than the hot and sticky reality that it sometimes is. Summer with a cooling ocean breeze. A picnic day with a full basket. A feeling of freedom and adventure packed into two months. Susan is celebrating that kind of summer, and giving tips on how to kick back and enjoy it with some delightful seasonal foods.

[Piscesbambina · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the recipes are variations of pretty standard family fare (in my part of the world), the playful art is what drew me in. Combined, they create a fresh summer vibe. An excellent read to inspire you to create your own recipes and go barefoot.

[April Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough in the 90's to borrow this from a neighbor who remembered I liked to cook. I found the cover a little "quaint" at first for my 30 years of cooking. My idea was very short lived as I went from one wonderful pie or cookie bar recipe to another. A real treasure trove for the baker in us all. All these years later I found one on sale at the library. I jumped up and down because I did not write down the authors name. Shame on me!

Recipes are easy to prepare
The book is decorated adorably
Makes a great gift
AAA+++

[Lora Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love living in Susan Branch's nostalgic, meaningful, delicious world! This book, like her writings on fall and Christmas, immerses the reader in the joy and specialness of the season. Expect to feel compelled to make a pitcher of lemonade and sit on your front porch all afternoon, enjoying the carefree sunshine of summer!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I love this book. Susan Branch's charming illustrations and stories and recipes are just the right mix for summer fun! A peek into the world of Susan Branch would bring a smile to anyone's heart.

[Maria M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. It's displayed on my kitchen counter all season long and I regularly refer to it for refreshing Summer recipes and entertaining ideas. Susan Branch's artwork will have you yearning for Summer (even when it's not) and everything that comes along with the warmer months.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Once again, Branch's work is difficult to read because of the font style choice and size. It did have 2 recipes that I will try, though. One is for cantaloupe soup which I believe will be perfect on a hot summer day and the other is for fresh strawberry ice cream.

[Greta Ostrovitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever on summer - it is summer personified

[Betsy Baltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Summer Book arrived today and it felt like opening a box of sunshine! ☀️ As I continue to build my Susan Branch collection, this may be one of my favorites!

There are books you read, and then there are books you experience—and this one feels like spending a summer afternoon with a dear friend. Filled with watercolor illustrations, recipes, gardening ideas, reading recommendations, entertaining inspiration, and heartfelt reflections, every page is pure sunshine.

As we welcome June, I can’t imagine a more perfect companion for the season. Susan Branch reminds us that summer isn’t found in grand vacations or elaborate plans—it’s in library days, kitchen gardens, fresh herbs, lemonade on the porch, flowers on the table, and a good book in a shady nook.

This book is a gentle reminder to slow down and savor the little things that make life beautiful.

Part cookbook, part journal, part inspiration, and entirely charming, The Summer Book captures everything I love about the season and everything I aspire to create in my own home.

If summer had a personality, it would be Susan Branch.

A delightful treasure that I’ll return to year after year. Five stars and a permanent place on my shelf. 💙☀️📚🌿

[Mae Leveson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer Book is a delightful read. Martha’s Vineyard is a place where the long, hot summer days are filled with fun and these include numerous picnics and dinners under the stars. I can almost smell the sea breezes and the scent of the flowers in Susan’s garden. I will be adding some of her recipes to our meals this summer and sharing them with friends.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book in the the dead of winter made me long for summer all the harder, frolicking on beaches, picnicking in gardens, cookouts in the backyard... Gorgeous watercolors illustrate this handwritten book about summer that's filled with snippets of stories, poems, and quotes interspersed with recipes for the summeriest foods you ever had.

[John’aLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been enjoying this book for over 20 years! After rereading it today I know I must try some more of her delectable recipes. The granola recipe is the recipe I used when my kids were growing up and is wonderful!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly can't read these fast enough. Unfortunately the library doesn't carry all of her books.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite as enjoyable as the font makes my eyes squint.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Susan Branch. The epitome of comfort reading. Great recipes and anecdotes to get ready for summer.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet illustrations, mouthwatering recipes, and nostalgic memories and ideas for an idyllic summer.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer vibes

[Rebecca Mandrillorian]

Some fun and yummy summer recipes. I made the potato salad for my bookclub and we enjoyed it.

[Sharon Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and collect any book by Susan Branch. Delightful and brings my own memories back to me as well. High recommend.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the stories and illustrations. A couple good recipes too. Her Autumn book is my favorite so far. Now onto the Christmas one

[Jamie Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love summer time by the pool or going to the beach with friends

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute, but the font is sometimes hard to read.