These aren’t the kind of books you’ll discuss at your next dinner party, but this is one of the purest reading experiences life offers, unencumbered by Goodreads or the New York Times Book Review. There are certain authors who are native to cottage bookshelves: Dean Koontz Patricia Highsmith Stephen King ( Needful Things is just about as common as mosquitoes). Hardcovers too heavy to bring home, water-stained thrillers, paperbacks with the back cover torn off, fantasy series that never made it to HBO, historical bodice rippers an aunt forgot in the guest bedroom. You know the kind of books I’m talking about: Wedged between a Monopoly set dating from the 1970s and a neglected cribbage board, these books gather dust 10 months of the year. One of the peculiar joys of cottage life is to submit to the reading habits of the previous occupants. Leave your e-reader at home, leave the magazines in the mailbox and leave it to fate. If you’re heading to the cottage this summer, don’t pack any books. Ben KaplanĮarning this merit badge is easy. As you do so, remember this: If you get it just right, when you get to the final destination after hours on the road, you still want to stay in the car to let that last song fade out. The act of picking the songs is itself a generous creative endeavour. Getting there isn’t half the fun, but making a perfect mix for the drive gets it closer to that 50% mark. It’s an opportunity to tell a captive audience what you wish you could say. Mix tapes need tone, pace, Chili Pepper ballads, early Metric and Sloan. Which isn’t to say it has to be precious. The summer mix tape isn’t just a kilometre killer. And if you’re feeling excited about some unspoken possibilities, might I recommend the last song on Bahamas first disc? Design your mix for one person, and think about what you want to say. You’re not making something for everyone. The journey begins when you get in the car. I’ll lead with The Cure and then cut into Alvvays and, if we’re heading to Chicago for Lollapalooza or Guelph for Hillside, I’ll include bands on the bill. When planning a mix for a road trip - be it on smartphone, CD or cassette - it’s essential to mix the nostalgia with the now. Instead, you should go with something familiar that your listener will instantly enjoy a tune that sets the mood. You never want to lead with your best song. And then it continues with all that surrounds. Article contentīut before all of this, summer starts with that first running leap into the lake. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

The long dark badges