Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1137964
letter editor ANA HOP 12 F or me, summer is defined by a few things: tequila al fresco; the occasional getaway, be it to California to visit family or just down the street for a staycation at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek; and, most importantly, endless hours of reading. I am a voracious reader all year long, but the second summer hits, my reading time increases twofold. After work, I read on my patio until the sun goes down. And on weekends, I read for hours poolside. In the last month, I've devoured the following: Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple; Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan; An American Marriage by Tayari Jones; and The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I always try to mix in a few classics to my summer reading — many of them, beloved novels I've read many times before. And so, coming up, I'll probably dig back in to a few of my favorites, including Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, The Stranger by Albert Camus, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. While novels occupy a majority of my reading time these days, I also find summer — especially travel time — the perfect occasion to finally catch up on the ever-growing stack of magazines on my desk. Any time I fly, my carry-on overflows with copies of Town & Country, The New Yorker, T, WSJ Magazine, and 1843 Magazine, the glorious lifestyle and culture magazine produced by The Economist. That's all to say that as we develop our July/August issue — lovingly referred to around here as the summer issue — we keep in mind that for you, this time of year is also best spent engrossed in magazines and books. This issue is therefore an enthralling mix of lighthearted reads (see culture/style editor Billy Fong's story on how our city's top arbiters of taste entertain during the hot days of summer); glorious visual stimuli (home design editor Rebecca Sherman's glimpse inside a rare modernist masterpiece designed by Joseph Minton); and plenty of parties so you can catch up on all of spring's happenings ahead of the busy fall season to come. Going to press on this issue wasn't our only task as June wound down. A week before sending these pages to the printer, we were thrilled to act as the PaperCity welcoming committee for our new Dallas publisher, Brooke Dowdy, who started with us a mere eight days before sending the magazine to the printer. Brooke is a well-respected longtime veteran in the publishing world, having worked at D Magazine and Texas Monthly. She most recently served as VP of sales and marketing for CultureMap, where she oversaw sales efforts for the brand's statewide markets, as well as events and audience development. Her accomplished publishing career aside, Brooke's biggest job is being mom to three adorable little girls: six-year-old Grace and three-year-old twins, Lucy and Caroline. Brooke has quickly become a vital part of the PaperCity family, bringing her positive, laid-back demeanor, sage business instincts, digital savvy, and love of patio cocktails to our team. Brooke's first order of business: Hit the ground running on September. Until then, we hope you'll add this issue to your summer reading list — and spend many lazy hours doing, well, absolutely nothing. Just as summer intended. Christina Geyer Dallas Editor in Chief christina@papercitymag.com