Kick Back, Relax, and Grab a Book: A Guide to Summer Reading

Summer can be busy with kids' extracurriculars, back-to-school shopping, and work. Even vacations can turn out to be a little less relaxing than you originally thought. Rather than letting yourself get swept up in the chaos, why not take an hour, sit outside, and pick up a new book? Reading can transport you to a new world or teach you something new, all while presenting numerous benefits to your mental wellbeing. Learn more about how to make reading your summer activity with our tips and shoutouts below!

Benefits of Reading

1. Strengthens the brain. It has been shown that reading helps the networks and signals in your brain get stronger as proven by MRI scans.
2. Increases ability to empathize. When you read, you often connect with the characters in the book, opening up your feelings and beliefs of others. According to Healthline, this is called “theory of mind” which is a set of skills that help with building and maintaining social relationships.
3. Improves vocabulary. The more you read, the greater your vocabulary becomes as you are exposed to new words and phrases.
4. Slows cognitive decline. According to the National Institute on Aging, reading helps improve cognitive functioning in older adults.
5. Decreases stress. Reading for 30 minutes has shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure. Try reading before bed to help you unwind and prepare your body for a restful night sleep.

Here are some fun ways to incorporate more reading into your summer

Take your book on the go. Wherever you're headed this summer, take your book along for the ride! Not only will it keep you entertained throughout your travels, it's a great way to avoid spending too much time on your phone while you're out and about.

Pick different themes. Challenge yourself to read a variety of different genres this summer! Maybe you'll start with a mystery before jumping to a memoir and then grabbing a fantasy. Trying out different genres will keep you engaged in each book you pick up, perfect for a summer of reading!

Join a book club. Reading and sharing with others can make reading more fun and you can get different perspectives on the plot and characters.

Ready to get started? Check out our best summer reading recommendations below!

Fiction Options:

1. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
2. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
3. Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal
4. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
5. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Nonfiction Options:

1. Finding Me by Viola Davis
2. Survival of the Sickest by Dr. Sharon Moalem
3. Atomic Habits by James Clear
4. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van De Kolk, M.D.
5. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer