Culture

Real talk on relationships, amazing personal stories and more: Your summer weekend long-reads list is here

Some humour, some advice, and tons of takeaway — bookmark these for poolside, lakeside or backyard lounging.

Some humour, some advice, and tons of takeaway — bookmark these for poolside, lakeside or backyard lounging

Two people read books on a sunny beach.
(Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

Whether you intend to spend a summer weekend poolside, sprawled out in the grass at your fave park, or retreating to a cottage for some much needed R & R, escaping into a lengthy read only adds to the luxury — it can even be a retreat in and of itself. So, after scrolling through social media longer than you wanted to, put your phone to rewarding use. We've done a deep dive of our archives to bring you all the long weekend reads you could want. From relationship realness to in-depth convos with the most inspiring individuals, from mindful spending to minding chickens, these are our top picks.

Relationship realness 

We asked 4 ethically non-monogamous daters what their terms are

Three people, two men and one woman, stand together, all three connected: woman in the middle holding hands with one man and wrapping arm around the waist of another man.
(iStock/Getty Images)

The art of the "accidental" text (on purpose)

(Getty Images)

Getting stashed? A biological anthropologist explains why the 'stashing' phenomenon happens in relationships

(Credit: Toa Heftiba/unsplash.com)

Should you try to get your ex back? Experts weigh in on when — and when not — to give it another shot

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How and when to talk to your partner about better sex

(Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

Advice and ideas for a healthier, happier life

Get over yourself: How to beat your fear of embarrassment — and why it's worth it

(Credit: Ayo Ogunseinde/unsplash.com)

Do you procrastinate because you can't manage your emotions?

(Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

The crucial pre and post workout steps you shouldn't ignore

(Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

A way out of loneliness: Steps towards well-being when you're feeling alone

(Credit: Getty Images)

How to manage everyday anxiety in public spaces

(Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

Mindful spending: How this author saves a LOT of her money and how you can too

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Terms you may be using that offend women at work

(Credit: iStockPhoto)

Up close and amazing personal stories

A year as a sponsor: What it was like to assist a family seeking asylum in Canada

All images courtesy Valerie Howes. Used with permission of ‘The Family’; Mom: Ghaithaa, Dad: Ibrahim, Children, oldest to youngest: Batoul, Abdullatif, Rayan, Mohamed, and baby Salsabil, born after the family arrived in Canada.

We talked to the Egyptian-Canadian tackling gender norms, male body issues and eating disorders on Instagram

(Images via Instagram, @itsminagerges)

'The gym saved my life': How this gay fitness superstar redefined his life after being outed against his will

What Chinese-Canadian chef Jackie Kai Ellis learned from cooking with her grandmother

(Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Impressive icons

Former Mrs. Universe Ashley Callingbull on speaking out through style

(Credit: Oscar Picazo/ashleycallingbullofficial.com)

What obsessive gardener Marjorie Harris has learned from a lifetime of growing

(Left, credit: Marjorie Harris; Right, credit: Paul Lewis)

Madhur Jaffrey on seeing — or not seeing — anyone like you on TV ...and on what you should cook for your date

Madhur Jaffrey on set of the movie Shakespeare-Wallah, circa 1965. (Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Inspiring LGBTQ Canadians and allies tell us what they're proud of this year

Left to right: Kent Monkman, Samson Brown, Dan Levy (Credit, left: Randy Risling/Toronto Star via Getty Images; middle: Arun Nevader/WireImage; right: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Iconic moments in fashion thanks to Black Canadian trailblazers

Left: Suzanne Boyd (Credit: Scott Gries/Getty Images); Right: Winnie Harlow on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Singapore

A peek into perfect parts of Canada

Get to know Montreal's steamés hot dog culture and where to have them, according to 'Hotdog Furcoat'

(Illustration: Allister Lee)

Hidden gem: Tangled Garden in Nova Scotia is a lush floral labyrinth and edible marvel too

Inside the fullest and most beloved restaurant supply store in Toronto

(All Photography: Kyle Richmond)

How to identify and appreciate the architecture around you

(Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Indoor/outdoor inspo

Home stagers reveal their secrets for a speedy sale

(Staging: Avryll McNair; Photography: Birdhouse Media)

Everything you ever wanted to know about keeping chickens in your backyard

Chickens
(Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

Hot takes on even hotter topics

Addictions experts sound in on common claims about cannabis use

(Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

Why are we so obsessed with girl fights?

Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford and Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis in Feud (Source: Fox 21 Television Studios/FX)

An open letter to beauty companies on how to level up when it comes to inclusion

(Credit: Getty Images)

5 Canadian female pro wrestlers on feminism, getting exposure and those who call their sport "fake"

(Credit: Ryan Faist)

Integrating cannabis into your lifestyle in a bigger way? Here's what you might want to consider

Parenting real talk 

What today's Dads across Canada worry about for their kids

(Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

That time I took my family to do farm chores for our "vacation"

The author and her daughters. (All photography by Jessica Brooks)