How to Break Through a Summer Reading Slump

I'm probably not alone in being a cold weather reader. As soon as the weather gets chilly, I camp out in my favorite chair with a stack of books and don't get up until spring. It can be harder to find time to read during the summer months -- the warm weather beckons, kids are home from school so you have less down time to spend with a book, and summer travels might be keeping you busy. Here are a few simple ideas to get you reading, even during these warm summer months.

Pick up a book based in your vacay spot. If you'll be traveling during the summer, search for a novel set in your vacation spot! It'll get you extra excited to jet off on your summer trip, and maybe even give you ideas of sights to see or activities to check out while you're there.

Or vacation vicariously! Not traveling this summer? Decide on your dream vacation location, and read a novel that takes place there. Almost as good as visiting in person, right?

Don't forget about your yearly reading challenge! If you chose to participate in a 2016 reading challenge, you might be losing speed on it now that the new year excitement has worn off. Revisit your challenge list and tackle a few categories this summer! If you  need suggestions of 2016 reading challenges to participate in, visit THIS post. It's never too late to join in. I'm taking part in the Worthington Ave. challenge and the Modern Mrs. Darcy challenge!

Participate in a local library's reading challenge. If you were anything like me as a kid, you practically lived for your library's summer reading program. Check your local library to see if they are hosting a summer reading program, and join in!

Read along with your kid's summer reading list. Many school kids are sent home for the summer with a list of required reading. Why not join them and read along? You'll get to revisit books you may have missed reading when you were a kid, and have great bookish discussions with your favorite young reader.

Embrace audiobooks! I resisted audiobooks for a long time, because listening to books just didn't feel like 'real' reading to me. But as the busy-ness of motherhood has taken over my life, I've learned that audiobooks are an awesome way to incorporate the books you want to read into your daily routine, even when you're busy doing other things. I listen to audiobooks while I exercise, cook, fold laundry, or watch my kids play outside or at the playground. If you're spending a lot of time outdoors this summer (at the pool, at the park, taking the dog for walks, or working on your yard), you can also spend that time listening to books.

Join (or start) a book club. Nothing is a bigger motivator to finish your current read than knowing you'll be meeting up with friends to discuss it at book club. Find a local club you can join, or start your own! Check out this post on how to keep your book club going strong.