Sum up Summer: RED’s Guide to Maximum Summer Enjoyment

Summer never sticks around long enough. One minute, you’re dusting off your sandals, the next you’re eyeing that first yellow leaf. But before the sun slips away, there’s still time to squeeze out every last drop of the season. At RED (Read, Eat, Drink), we believe in living summer to the hilt—with a book in one hand, a snack in the other, and a cold drink sweating in the shade beside you.

Read: Stories for Sun-Soaked Afternoons

The folks at Goodreads took summer reading seriously this year, letting their staffers run wild with their picks—no rules, just pure bookish joy. Their lists have everything from alternate-history heist stories to buzzy new releases.The spirit? Anything goes, so long as it keeps you turning pages long after sunset. If you need a nudge, browse their staff recommendations. Click a few covers, hit “Want to Read,” and let your stack grow taller than your beach umbrella. Summer’s too short for boring books.

Read more here.

Eat: Snacks That Keep You Out of the Kitchen

Nobody wants to spend July sweating over a stove. That’s where make-ahead appetizers come in, and honestly, they’re the secret weapon for any party—or lazy afternoon. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just want something to nibble poolside, you’ll find a little of everything on OhClary’s list: Watermelon Peach Salsa (bright, sweet, and impossible to stop eating), sushi cups, bacon-wrapped little smokies, crisp bruschetta, and caprese skewers that taste like pure sunshine. The best part? You can prep these the day before and spend your party actually enjoying yourself.

If you do nothing else this summer, make a charcuterie board piled with whatever’s fresh, salty, or crunchy. Let everyone graze at their own pace. That’s the taste of summer: effortless, creative, and a little bit messy.

See recipes here.

Drink: Cocktails With Summer in Every Sip

What’s a summer party (or, let’s be honest, a Tuesday night) without a great drink? The 2025 PUNCH list of summer cocktails has you covered. Think icy-cold spritzes, slushies for grownups, and punch bowls that magically refill themselves (or maybe that’s just the rum talking). Whether you’re a fan of classics or chasing something new, there’s a recipe here to match every sunset.

Try a frozen Watermelon Margarita, a citrusy spritz, or a gin smash with enough mint to cool you off from the inside out. And if you’re feeling adventurous, mix up a pitcher and see who shows up on your porch.

Don’t Let Summer Slip By

The trick to a great summer isn’t doing more—it’s doing less, but enjoying it more. Read a book that takes you out of your world. Eat with your hands. Drink something cold and let the ice melt a little. You’ll miss summer when it goes, but you won’t regret a single sun-drenched second.

Here’s to lazy afternoons, crowded tables, and stories that stick with you long after the tan fades. That’s how we sum up summer at RED.