No matter your age, summer can be a great time to read your way to excitement, relaxation, inspiration or just plain knowledge.
As the child of two teachers, I have always loved to read! Or maybe that’s, as a child of two teachers with no air conditioning during the summers in North Carolina, public libraries have always been some of my favorite places. Ok, perhaps it’s a bit of both.
I have always loved reading science fiction and adventure stories and imagining the action and the characters for myself. I also loved exploring titles on the shelf or browsing the card catalogue (back in the day) and finding new places to go and people to meet. It’s hard for me to imagine going through a summer without taking time to read, both as an escape and an opportunity.
And, you don’t have to take my word for the benefits of summer reading. The Collaborative Summer Library Program provides a web page with links to research and reports on the “Benefits of Summer Reading.” And, though many summer reading initiatives focus on children, the concepts apply for teens and adults.
Below are examples of the wide variety of summer reading programs and lists available online or in your area, some of which also provide opportunities for in person engagement and entertainment, such as live music or discussion groups.
On your mark. Get set. Read to achieve!
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for children – teens, only
- Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge™ – free online reading program for children. Help set a new reading world record. May 5 – Sept, 2014
- Barnes & Noble Summer Reading – kids can read their way to a free book and more
- Reading Rockets, Summer Reading (including lists and tips for parents)
- “Indiana Pacers Summer Reading Tour Set to Begin” (June 13 – August 1)
- Diverse Summer Reading Picks for Kids (on NPR)
- 2014 L4LL Latino Children’s Summer Reading Program
all ages groups (kids – adults)
- NYC (New York City) Summer Reading 2014 (booklists, events and programs)
- Summer Read SF (San Francisco Public Library) 2014 (includes events)
- “Library kicks off summer reading program” (Alachua County Library District) in The Gainsville (FL) Sun
for adults
- “Summer Reading List: 15 Books to Read Before Going to the Movies” from VH1
- Summer Reading with an Asian Twist
- The Root’s Summer Reading List (about the African American experience)
- “Local summer reading programs offer more than just a few good titles” (Grand Rapids Public Library)
