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Guest Editor: Summer Anderson

We're delighted to welcome Summer Anderson, founder of Ladybird Books, as our Guest Editor. A lifelong reader and passionate literary curator, Summer has spent more than a decade connecting readers with stories they can't put down. Since returning to the Lowcountry, she's built Ladybird Books into a beloved Charleston destination rooted in discovery, community, and the joy of finding just the right book. Much like her approach to literature, Summer's personal style is thoughtful, effortless, and distinctly her own—favoring breezy linen, vintage denim, and pieces with a little mystery. From her favorite summer reads to the advice that's guided her as a founder, Summer shares the books, outfits, and inspirations that make a Charleston summer feel full of possibility.

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Ladybird Books

What is a book you think everyone should read at least once?
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

What is your go-to summer read?
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. So good. It’s exactly what you want in the moment. Just fun…a very slow burn. It’s low on the pepper scale, but it has a wonderful ending.

When you’re getting dressed for a Charleston summer day, what are you reaching for?
Linen.

What makes an outfit feel effortless to you?
Something about it needs to be a little unknown.

What piece in your wardrobe makes you feel most like yourself?
A vintage denim jacket.

Do you think books and fashion share a similar kind of curation?
I think they do in the sense that both are rooted in personal taste. When you’re curating a bookstore, a lot of it comes from what you personally love or connect with, and I think getting dressed is similar — the only way to really be successful at it is to be yourself and listen to what feels right to you. At the same time, both books and fashion can push you a little outside of your comfort zone too.

What is the best advice you’ve received as a founder?
I wouldn’t say someone gave me this specifically in relation to being a founder, but some of the best advice I’ve ever received is: when you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything at all. So whether someone’s pushing you, or there’s some timeline happening — if something isn’t getting over the hump and you can’t figure out what it is, it’s probably because it hasn’t found the right path yet.

What do you want people to feel the moment they walk into Ladybird Books?
Possibility.

What is your ideal Charleston summer afternoon?
In the truck with my dog, on the way to the beach, meeting friends, with a book.