There is something special about summer, especially in Wisconsin where warm weather happens for only a few treasured months of the year. And while reading is a favorite pastime all year round, summer has always felt like prime time for reading. So in the tradition of creating summer bucket lists, here are a few book-centered ideas add to your list.
Take yourself on a book date. Visit your favorite local indie bookstore or library and pick up a new book that catches your eye. Then settle in with your new read on a chair at the beach, or on a blanket at a park, or in a cozy corner of a local coffee shop. This is a fun way to work on your TBR while also going on an outing to places you might not normally visit.
Join your library’s summer reading program. Summer reading programs aren’t just for kids! Many libraries have programs for adults to join too (Brown County Library and the Appleton Public Library both do!). If you’re going to be reading all summer anyway, you might as well earn prizes while doing it.
Read something new. Try reading something from a genre or an author that is new to you, or try reading an audiobook if you normally read print books. You might just discover a new favorite!
Attend an event at your local indie bookstore. From author talks to book clubs to pop-up bookfairs, indie bookstores have a variety of events to suit every kind of reader. This summer, challenge yourself to get out to one or more of the events hosted by your local indie.
Create a cozy reading corner. Designate a space in your home for cozy reading. Grab a comfy chair or some cushions, hang up string lights, and add a blanket or two to create an inviting space for reading and relaxation.
Join a local book club or start your own with friends. Book clubs are a great way to make new friends or connect with current ones; it’s fun to chat and bond with fellow readers who all bring unique perspectives and share a passion for books. Plus, book clubs can help expand your reading horizons by introducing you to genres, authors, and titles you might not have otherwise engaged with.
Have a bookish backyard picnic. Pack your favorite picnic foods, spread out a blanket, and enjoy the outdoors while relaxing with a good book. You don’t have to go far—you could picnic right in your backyard! But if you’re feeling adventurous, take your bookish picnic to a local park.
Host a book swap party. Invite your friends and exchange books. You might have everyone swap books at leisure, or host a white-elephant style book exchange, with each book wrapped in gift paper to heighten the surprise.
Write book reviews. Writing book reviews can be a good way to recommend titles to fellow readers, but they don’t necessarily have to be for the benefit of others. It can be fun to look back on your own thoughts and feelings about books you’ve read. Grab a notebook and pen, start a blog, write reviews on a reading tracking site like Goodreads or Storygraph, or even type your reviews into the notes app on your phone. And if you need some help getting started, there are reading journals available for purchase which contain questions and prompts to help get your thoughts flowing.
Hope these ideas help make your summer reading even more fun!