Squeezing More Stories Into Your Summer Sizzle

Sterling Library, Summer Reading, 1970s

"A house that has a library in it has a soul." Plato

Did anyone out there have a local library that, in the summer, offered a summer reading program to kiddos?

Our local library did. Each summer had a theme. As you read books your moved your airplane or dog or palm tree further along a created "track" which was usually butcher paper and construction paper decorations. You got certain prizes along the way and you worked toward some sort of goal at the end.

I LOVED those summer reading programs. But then, I am that nerd.

Unfortunately, as an adult, summer brings those long, sun-drenched days along with a typically chaotic schedule that leaves your favorite books gathering dust. And no, Snoopy and the Red Baron are not waiting to be moved along to a greater reward!

I keep telling myself that finding time to read shouldn't feel like another chore on my to-do list. Instead, it should be a seamless, relaxing, effortless escape. And yea - with having moved into a new house, taught two writing camps to middle-schoolers, and entering other unplanned shifts in family dynamics - I am preaching to the choir here.

However, with a few intentional shifts, you can easily claim more quiet moments for your mind. So, here are five simple ways to boost your reading time this season:

Establish a "Twilight Chapter"

To help your body naturally wind down as the sun sets, try replacing late-night screen time with a single chapter of a book. The artificial blue light from phones and television screens mimics daylight, tricking your mind into staying alert. By shifting to a physical book, you eliminate that disruptive glare, quiet your thoughts and signal to your brain that it is time to rest and sleep.

Keep a "Go-Bag" Book

Never leave the house without a paperback or e-reader tucked into your bag. By always keeping a book within arm's reach, you instantly transform frustrating, unexpected delays—like stagnant doctor appointments, long carpool lines, or sudden traffic standstills—into bonus reading windows. Otherwise wasted moments become sanctuaries for your current story, and you easily chip away at your reading goals throughout the day.

Swap scrolling for pages.

Swap your screen time for story time by dedicating just fifteen minutes of your usual morning social media scrolling to your current book instead. Before the noise of the day takes over, opening a book allows you to wake up your mind with rich narrative rather than digital clutter. This simple, intentional trade creates a peaceful morning routine that helps you consistently clear your reading stack.

Utilize audio books for summer chores.

Utilize audiobooks to transform routine summer chores into an immersive literary escape. By pairing a great narrator with repetitive, hands-on tasks—like folding laundry, deadheading garden flowers, or organizing dusty shelves—you can effortlessly breeze through chapters while staying productive. It turns tedious, mundane household responsibilities into a highly anticipated window of time where you can dive deep into your next favorite story.

Set up a family reading ritual.

Set a family reading ritual by establishing a designated quiet hour where everyone in the household grabs a book and unplugs. Whether you gather in the living room or find your own cozy corners, this shared commitment creates a beautiful environment of quiet focus and mutual encouragement. It is a peaceful, screen-free way to anchor the day while fostering a lifelong love of literature together.

If a busy season has kept you from the pages you love, remember to give yourself some grace—I'll be right there trailing along with you. Let’s pour a cold drink, open up a good book, and intentionally steal back our summer, one chapter at a time.

About Donna

Donna Hechler Porter has always had stories in her head. When they were not swirling and gnawing, she had her head in a history book - both fiction and non-fiction. Now, she puts her love of old things, including her genealogy, to good use by writing both genealogy books and novels. She has published five historical novels, several of which have won awards, four genealogy books on her family history, and several smallish books including a book on the 1778 Big Siege of Fort Boonesborough and a book with tips and tricks for bringing history to life for young people. A graduate of Texas A & M University, she currently teaches middle school English and literature at a small private school east of Houston and runs a private tutoring business. She stops for all garage sales and to collect treasures from the side of the road. She dreams of life in a log cabin in the woods, even as she is addicted to antique and thrift shopping.

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