One of the most fun series for me to write over on Book Riot involved highlighting ways to make your reading life more interesting each season. You can check out each of the editions here: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. In the spirit of those pieces and in honor of my favorite season making its grand apperance, I thought it’d be fun to highlight six ways to up your summer reading life, whether you have a vacation these next three months or not. Some are super practical while others are a little more of a stretch.

 

 

Join your library’s summer reading club

Not all libraries have a summer reading club for adults, but many do. If your library runs one, take a moment to sign up and take part. The set up and demands of each varies by libraries. The one at my local library this year is entirely digital: I signed up and set a reading goal (20 books between June and August). For each book that I read and write a short review for, I earn $.50 in library money that can be used toward their used book sale, printing costs, or to cover fines.

Taking part on the summer reading club, even when entirely online, has meant that I’m going to my local library more to check out materials. I have piles of books at home, but I’m compelled to make the trip, and it never ceases to be a nice addition to my daily routine.

 

Participate in an Instagram Book Club

I know something is trendy when it shows up in my non-book related blog reading. Case in point: the growth of Instagram-based book clubs. There’s a fun feature about their variety on Apartment Therapy.

Instagram-based book clubs are low-pressure and allow for taking part in a social book activity without the pressure of being super social (or, really, finishing the book if it’s not your jam). Given the wide range of types of clubs, there’s something for every kind of reader, from those who want low commitment to those who are hoping to find a means to connect via social media initially, then to meet in person.

For readers who work at libraries or schools or are otherwise responsible for programming, taking part in an Instagram book club during the summer might provide the perfect opportunity for thinking about starting your own at your organization.

 

 

Research and experience the literary history of your town

Is your town the home of a famous — or even not-so-famous — writer or comic artist, past or present? Take an opportunity this summer to find out what literary gems your town may house.

If finding your town’s literary history proves to be too challenging, go on a literary treasure hunt. Find all of the Little Free Libraries in your community and visit them. See if there are any public art pieces or plaques dedicated to something literary. Take part, either in the audience or as a performer, for a local open mic night at a coffee shop or art space.

 

Set up a specific reading goal and pursue it in earnest

I spend every July reading nothing but backlist books. I go in with a goal in mind to catch up with a series or set of books that I haven’t picked up yet in my reading life and throw myself in whole-heartedly. Last year, I revisited the entire “Ramona” series by Beverly Cleary, as well as did my first full read-through of the Harry Potter series. This year’s plan is to read the Anne of Green Gables series and, perhaps, the Emily of New Moon series, too.

Using the long summer days to slow down and catch up on those missed titles is freeing. There’s less pressure to stay on top of every new release, and there’s more opportunity to really pursue the reading that you’ve always meant to get to but haven’t yet found the time for. Here is where you carve out that time.

If sitting down and getting to business is challenging, schedule it. Decide you’re going to read for yourself from 7 to 8 each morning or that you’ll give yourself time to go on a lengthy “book date” to your favorite park, coffee shop, or living room couch each week for three hours. It doesn’t matter how you do it, but scheduling the time can help you keep the obligation.

 

Throw an adaptation film viewing

Dreary day or series of days when you’ve got time to spend and were hoping to use outdoors? Take the opportunity to put on your favorite PJs and catch up on the streaming adaptations you’ve been meaning to watch.

If you are feeling up for a social event, set up a party where your closest bookish friends join you for an afternoon and evening of adaptation viewing. If you plan ahead, you could also choose to all read a book or two, watch the adaptation, then talk about the similarities, the differences, and what you would do differently (if anything!).

 

 

Host a cookbook party for one — or for more

Up your cooking skills and make use of the cookbook collection you have by taking one or more days each week to try out a new recipe. Another variation: grab some vintage cookbooks from a local antique store or peruse the selection of cookbooks at the library and try out various recipes from them.

If you want to live like some of your favorite literary characters, grab a cookbook based on your favorite fiction. There are a number of cookbooks based on children’s literature, and there are a number based on favorite adult books, too.

Feel up for a party? Invite your friends to join you for a potluck style dinner with the requirement each guest makes something from a cookbook at their home (or based on their favorite book or from a culinary tradition they don’t normally cook from — let your mind run wild here!) and then have them bring the recipe along to share.

 

What things do you plan on doing to add more reading fun to your life this summer? I’d love to hear about the things you plan on doing — and the things you think would be fun to do — in the comments.