Today I was listening to NPR’s Book Podcast for June 24th and the topic was “Summer Books That Make The Critic’s Cut” and the host wrapped things up with an interesting yet curious (to me) phrase.
She said, “It’s summer – a great excuse to read whatever and whenever you want.”
Well I thought that anytime was a “great excuse to read whatever and whenever you want”, especially as an adult who isn’t in school and therefore, doesn’t have homework. The only time I’m reading something that wasn’t picked by me is when I have to read something for book club, but my rule for my book club is if you aren’t feeling it, the book isn’t grabbing you and you just can’t get through it, than by all means don’t read it. There are too many books out there to get hung up by just one!
What are your thoughts out there in The Sunday Salon? You! Over on that fabulous red velvet chaise! Or you! Laying in the hammock off the deck! What does summer, or any season reading for that matter mean to you?
Planet Books 
Since I am newly ‘retired’ and have no limits on when to read, I feel the same way you do. I have a teacher-friend who only reads in the summer because she claims she doesn’t have time during the school year. I still say, if you really want to read, you’ll make the time. I actually feel I read more when I worked because I had a schedule for myself with time etched out for reading (i.e. an hour after work, an hour in the early morning before work and Sunday afternoons). Now I find myself scrambling for reading time – it doesn’t make sense, I know!
But with my Kindle arriving Tuesday, it will probably have to be pried from my fingers!!! Have a great week, Karen!
Great question! Summer usually means ligher reading, as in a book that is not heavy on the number of characters, or to depressing of a subject. I plan on reading Craig Ferguson’s autobiography, and maybe re-read the Outlander series.. again.
:0)
I’m reading the first book in The Outlander series for TLC book tours right now. It’s very good so far but I have only just begun. I’m not too worried about liking it though since that seems to be the consensus and you are about to reread it… again. 🙂
I am curious to hear what you think of Outlander by the end of the novel – I began by being engrossed and impressed, but by the end of the novel was utterly, utterly off-put. The alienation from it began with a particular disciplinary incident in the middle of the novel (to be as vague as possible about it, in the interest of non-spoiling) that I could not come to terms with. So I am eager to hear how others find it.
For some reason, I have it in my head that I have more time to read during the summer. I believe this is the case because the daily homework help ceases to exist. BUT, my morning routine is much more complicated since each kid goes to a different camp, some days swimming, some days not, some days pack a lunch, some days buy. It’s almost too much to keep up with.
The good thing though, is that the evenings are not stressful at all so no matter how rough the day is, I can at least come home and crash. Preferably with a good book, and a cold, refreshing drink.
I’m with Ti–I always think that I’ll have more time in the summer to read. Although my inability to make that happen have nothing to do with dragging kids here and there–mine are all old enough to take care of that on their own. I think there just a lot of other things going on. But…I always read whatever I want, whenever I want. I just get to do it on the patio, listening to the birds instead of curled up with a blanket on the couch listening to the sleet hit the windows.
Don’t you love those book podcasts? My reading style doesn’t change much in summer – probably because my lifestyle doesnt change much unless I go on vacation during the summer. When I had a beach house share I would get some great reading done every weekend on the beach!
like cooking and linens, i change my reading up in the summertime! i make lighter meals, put the flannel sheets away, and tend to read ‘lighter’ books in the summer. you can find me (after 3pm) on the beach under my umbrella with a thermos of lemonade and a bag of books. i like the beach after the crowds die down and when the sun is starting to set.