Toronto is going through its usual series of summer heat waves, where temperatures reach well into the 40s (104F+). It’s hot, it’s sticky, it’s miserable. There’s an inescapable burning orb in the sky, buzzing insects in your face, and a pervasive smell of fake coconut (AKA suntan lotion, which is actually one of the pleasanter smells one encounters at this time of year). Summer can be rough, even intolerable, for a lot of people. Being of Greek descent you’d think I’d love the sun and heat. You’d be wrong. Born and raised in Canada, I’m far more tolerant of low temperatures than high ones, but even my ancestors had a word for people like me:
Ancient Greek Word of the Day: κακοθερής (kakotherēs), unfitted to endure summer heat (via Tumblr)
So unfitted. But never mind the heat, there’s a bigger issue with the sun: I can’t stand the feel of it on my skin. Hell, I don’t like being in direct sunlight even when I’m completely covered. No, this isn’t some sort of melodramatic goth affectation (not that I’m opposed to those). Up until age 8, I loved the sun and spent my summers outdoors, usually in the nearest pool. And then my immune system decided to start going after me instead of sticking to fighting bacteria and viruses. All of a sudden sunlight was uncomfortable, exhausting, and overall unpleasant. I don’t know if this is a common side effect of auto-immune disorders or if I’m the lucky exception, but I can relate more than a little to my vampire characters.
So what do you do when you and summer just don’t get along?
- stay inside as much as possible during the day
- when you have to go out, hats, parasols, and sunscreen are your friends
- if it’s hot and you can’t cool down at home, the library is perfect (by the way, Love Lies Bleeding is now available at the Toronto Public Library! If your local library doesn’t carry it, ask them to start 🙂 )
- movie theatres, coffee shops, museums, and art galleries are all good places to cool off for a few hours
- look for nighttime entertainment and activities, such as concerts and festivals
- reading is always a good (and portable) option. You’ll find endless articles about beach reads, but check out this article on alternatives to beach reading for sun haters.
Are you looking for books featuring characters that avoid the sun as much as you do? I’ve got you covered:
Blood Magic: Myth and magic collide in this FREE story about choices, transformation, and retribution: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146
Love Lies Bleeding: a novel about delusion, obsession, and blood: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35524549-love-lies-bleeding
Make sure to leave a rating or review on your favourite book site!
What’s summer like for you? Share your thoughts in the comments…
Aspasía S. Bissas 
When I was a small child, I played in the sunshine enjoying every minute of summer. After that, however, I came to dislike it. I don’t like being too warm and it’s brightness hurts my eyes. I stick to the shade at all times of year and stay mainly indoors when the sun is blasting down. Currently, I spend most of my days in the library working. It is cool and dry so I can think.
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Libraries are the perfect escape. How are you holding up in the Tennessee heat (when you’re not in the library, that is)?
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Libraries are where I do much of my writing. The Tennessee heat is daunting, but Nevada was unrelenting misery. Not complaining, it’s damp, but beautiful. There is no sunburnt grass here. It’s all lush greenery. However, I can’t wait until autumn. I’m told it doesn’t cool much until October and it’s November before it’s sweater weather. 😦
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I do prefer green surroundings to a desert environment, but I don’t think I could handle Tennessee 😦 Toronto is bad enough with our humidity (and climate change isn’t helping anything).
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