Summer Reading
What are you reading this summer? Is it just me and my romantic notion of books but why is it that each season brings its own image of reading: fall- struggling under the weight of “required reading” for school, with the anticipation of all that “knowledge” being uncovered; winter-snuggling in a deep armchair, the glow of a fire behind me and a warm drink beside me; spring- enjoying the warmth of the sun kissing my face as I sit on the newly uncovered deck chairs or summer- sitting under the shade of an umbrella, head bowed over a book with toes/feet mindlessly swirling patterns in the sand?
This past week I was visiting our one son. We enjoy hiking, visiting historic places and museums and checking out book stores. While I am at home with the sights, smells and (hushed) sounds of libraries and support our local library as much as possible (first thing my husband and I did after signing the papers to our new home was to get our local library card), I so enjoy entering a book store, either selling new or used books.
I love a brightly-lit bookstore with books arranged on tables inviting the reader to take a peek in thoughtfully arranged comfy chairs to peruse the soon-to-be purchased material. Many of the independent book stores that I love are the ones in which the proprietor knows his/her stock. They can give you great recommendations verbally, or the ones that I find amusing are the book stores whose staff has written little notes or descriptive signs by various books or genres. There is a (in)famous book store on Cape Cod while semi-organized, it always seems as if one has hit the jackpot if, sorting through the piles and piles of books, one finds the book on one’s list. (That bookstore was used as the setting for the film: The Storied Life of AJ Fikry- a quirky, heart-warming, enjoyable tale.)
One of the book stores we entered had a summer reading challenge- try and read five books over the summer. Rather than provide titles, they gave a list of categories. I thought that was a neat idea since most of the categories are not beach reads- (unless you actually read them on the beach.). If five seems daunting, try just to read one or two books this summer.
Here are some of the categories they suggested:
a memoir written after 2020
a local (to your area) author
attend an author event in your area
a banned or challenged book in 2023
a short story collection
a book in translation
an essay collection
a debut author
a Pulitzer winner from the last 5 years
an author of Caribbean heritage (or another nationality not your own)
about a musician/music
a mystery written by a woman (might I suggest- Louise Penny and her Inspector Gamache series? I love retreating into the world she has created.)
a young adult or middle grade book
a book written by multiple authors
a poetry collection (I just purchased a collection by Mary Oliver)
a novella
a family saga
a disabled lead/protagonist
a fantasy or romance book published in 2023
In moving to our new location, I have joined two book clubs- one is run by our local librarian and the other is a neighborhood one. What I love about both groups is that I will be “forced” to read books that I do not normally read which is a good thing. Also, I have met so many interesting individuals in these groups. Discussing books (and ideas) is a good way to get to know another person under the auspices of discussing a “non-personal” topic. In some ways it allows you to see the authentic person. A friend of mine is part of a family bookclub: the different women in the family, nieces, moms, aunts, meet to discuss books via zoom. What a great way to get to know your family- outside of our respective roles.
If you have trouble finding books to read or even finishing a book, consider joining a book club. Click here for information about bookclubs- finding, starting one, discussions, recommendations, etc.
Happy Summer Reading. Don’t worry- there is no test or written essay “What I read this summer.” Just enjoy the world’s you will explore.
2021 Summer Reading List
Read any good books lately?
I have a stack of half-read books on my bedside table as well as scattered around my office. In fact, I had to re-shelf some of the books for I was tired of seeing the towering spines. I thought if I removed some I would be more motivated to finish reading those that were left.
Alas, that did not happen. I still have a stack with bookmarks dangling out of the pages. I just cannot seem to get back into the swing of reading them. And so, I am wondering if I need to find some other books to read?
Joyce Carol Oates suggests that individuals should have a systematic reading schedule. Sure, you can spontaneous pick up a book that appeals to you but she suggests that one should plan out one’s reading and immerse oneself in an author’s body of work. I have never really done that except for books that are part of a series. I have loved Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs books. Her latest one , The Consequences of Fear, has recently been released. I devoured it in two sittings, pushing my book stack aside.
Short of reading all the works of an author, I think I might try working through some book lists because I like variety. Many local libraries have reading suggestions especially during summer. Various universities and schools do as well.
One thing I want to try is to read more poetry. Listening to Joanna Lumley read some of her favorite poems is enough to want to get anyone back into English class.
What is on your reading list? Do you have one? Or just a stack of half-read books on your nightstand? I have read different accounts on how to increase one’s reading time:
Read 52 books a year (1 book/week). A person can do that by reading 10 minutes at breakfast, 10 minutes around lunch and 20 minutes before bedtime. (according to a former Oxford Univ. grad who has a website that gives you all the info you need to have a comparable Oxford education without the expense that he shelled out- For a nominal fee of course!) Reading this way does depend on the length of the book and how fast a reader one is. There is another website that has guidelines for the types of weekly books- for example, the first week- read something set in a school. https://www.the52book.club/challenges/2021-reading-challenge/
Read for 1 hour before bedtime each night. My problem with that is by the time I am ready for bed, I am exhausted and I only can read a couple of paragraphs before I feel the weight of the book slipping out of my hands (and sometimes hitting me in the face).
Have a book with you at all times. Read whenever you have to wait- in the doctor’s office, commuting, curbside delivery, etc. John Adams once said that one is never lonely with a poet in one’s pocket. A fictional book would also suffice.
If it has been forever since you read any books- aim for reading one book this summer or two or five?
If your child has a summer reading list- read alongside with him or her.
Check out your local independent bookseller. Book tours are returning and hearing an author read her work may give you an idea for some future reads.
Links to various reading lists:
www.goodreads.com has a variety of book lists- just need to enter a category or look up summer reading.
https://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/book-lists/2021-summer-reading-list
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/books/summer-reading.html
https://zsr.wfu.edu/2020/book-recommendations-from-our-summer-reading-social/
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/aug/17/the-100-best-novels-written-in-english-the-full-list
https://www.oxfordscholastica.com/blog/classic-books-everyone-should-read/
https://oxbridgeapplications.com/resources_category/reading-lists/
https://www.english.upenn.edu/graduate/requirements-rules-procedures/first-year-oral-exam/50-book-list
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/18337.Timeless_Classics_of_the_Christian_Faith
Gifts From The Sea
My well worn copy...
One of my favorite books is by Anne Morrow Lindbergh- Gifts From The Sea. I try to re-read it once a year. It revives me, refocuses me and helps me regroup especially regarding my writing.
I have pulled it out this summer and have added it to my reading pile.
Even though Anne wrote this book over fifty years ago, I find that the truths still resonate. She speaks to human relationships, to life/work balance, to creative pursuits, to solitude, peace and contentment. It seems that in this day and age we have even more need of her philosophy. As humans, we can only process so much and so we need to step back, pause and recharge. "For life today in America is based on the premise of ever-widening circles of contact and communication." Imagine that was written before cell phones, internet or Facebook! She challenges us to "remain whole in the midst of the distractions of life."
What I love about the book is her " search for outward simplicity, for inner integrity and fuller relationships". It is important to take some time and reflect on those ideas. For me, what better way than through the sea. I may not get a chance to go to the sea this summer but I can try and bring the sea to me. I can make time to "get away": block out a week or a day, free from obligations and return to a rhythm of simplicity, of deep reflection and of time spent with others.
What about you? Do you find the summer is a good time for reflection? Do you have a chance to slow down the rhythm of your life? Do you have "annual" books that you read? Any re-reads? What about them resonates with you? Lifestyle? Escapism? Reminder of ideals? Inspiration?
This weekend, why not check out your local library or local book store. Reading is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.