Summer is a perfect time to stay inside and get lost in a novel. Just kidding.

Get out into the sunshine, and take those bookworm tendancies to an area book fair or literary festival. Here are a few we recommend to get you mingling with other well-read folks.

Saturday, June 26th

Waterfront Books and Authors Festival

The Waterfront Books and Authors Festival features readings and discussions led by authors of books with a maritime or waterfront theme. While there may not be any sea-chantey singing, expect to hear about some good summer reading: authors who will be attending the festival include Ben Gibberd, a writer for The New York Times and author of New York Waters: Profiles from the Edge, Trevor Corson, author of The Secret Life of Lobsters, and Jessica Dulong, author of The River Chronicles. The Brooklyn band Piñataland will perform at the festival, which will be held at the Waterfront Museum in Redhook. The event is $6 and runs from noon to 4pm.

Sunday, June 27th

First Voices: Harlem authors share their stories

Seasoned authors may nab tons of reviews on Amazon, but burgeoning writers can often get lost in the shuffle. This festival is a great chance to hear new authors read from their debut books. The First Voices event will be held at Hue-man books in Harlem from 2pm to 4pm.

Monday, June 28th

Janelle Brown, This is Where We Live: reading and discussion

This is Where We Live is the second book from author and journalist Janelle Brown, following her first book, All We Ever Wanted Was Everything. Her new novel is the story of an indie musician and filmmaker couple and what happens when their band breaks up, film bombs, and mortgage fails. Brown is speaking from 7pm to 8pm at McNally Jackson bookstore.

Tuesday, June 29th

Nick Reding and Samuel Freedman discuss Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town

Methland author Nick Reding will be joined by author, Columbia professor and New York Times writer Samuel Freedman to discuss Reding's book, which is based on four years of researching and reporting on a small Iowa town plagued by a meth epidemic. The two will discuss the book from 7pm to 8pm at the Strand Bookstore.

Wednesday, June 30th

Gay Pride Reading with Mary Literary

There's more to gay pride month than just costumes and parades. HousingWorks is hosting a gay pride reading extravaganza with William Johnson, the editor and publisher of Mary Literary.

Thursday, July 1st

Clarin Clevidence reads from her new novel with an introduction by Jhumpa Lahiri

Carin Clevidence will be reading from her new novel The House on Salt Hay Road. The book centers around three generations of a family who live in a large home on Long Island. Clevidence's friend and fellow author Jhumpa Lahiri, author of Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake will introduce the reading.