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The Summer Reads of Yesteryear
Last summer, I promised my two older kids a trip to the bookstore to help them pick out their summer reading books. My daughter, Lily, who was 7 at the time, immediately asked if there would be prizes involved. “Absolutely,” I replied. “If you consider books to be prizes!” She frowned, “But what if we read a lot? Do we get something else?” “You get more trips to the library!” I said, not quite meeting her expectations for a toy store visit.
Ethan, my 9-year-old, was equally puzzled. “Is this a competition?” he inquired. “Will we get money or something?” He thought it was unfair because the Harry Potter books he was planning to read were much longer than Lily’s likely choices. I reassured him that no competition was on the table. “Just read what you want,” I encouraged. “Tell me about it, and then pick another one.”
I truly want my kids to develop a love for reading, always having a book in hand or starting a new one. I also want them to have the freedom to choose what they want to read. During the school year, they can often make their own selections, but summer’s laid-back vibe is perfect for exploring different stories on the shelves.
I also keep my summer reading loose. Throughout the year, I often feel tied to my to-be-read lists, whether it’s the stack beside my bed or the digital lists on my Kindle and library queue. There’s a pressure to stick to those titles, especially if I’ve purchased them or promised reviews. But come summer, I allow myself to pick books on a whim, wander through a bookstore, or dive into a novel my friend insists I’ll adore. My book club even takes a summer break, allowing for three months of delightful chaos in reading.
Certain books from summers past stick with me, almost like how a song can bring back a moment in time. For instance, after my junior year of high school, I spent a summer in Seville, Spain, where I read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Just hearing that title reminds me of the cozy apartment where I lived with a lovely Spanish family. My host mom, Rosa, often cooked traditional dishes while I would read on the balcony, soaking in both the sun and the story.
Then there’s the Twilight series, which takes me back to when I was 14, visiting my grandparents in Toronto. I was reading one of the books when my grandmother, in a moment of frustration—likely unrelated to me—yelled at me to pack my suitcase and tossed a pencil at me. While her outburst was nothing like the dramatic scenes in the book, that pencil incident sticks with me whenever I hear about it.
The novels I read while studying abroad in Chile left an even stronger mark on me. Arriving in Santiago in January—their summer break—I had until March before classes started. Instead of immersing myself in local literature, I found myself in a used English bookstore, diving into The Great Gatsby, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Fountainhead. I loved every moment, especially with The Great Gatsby, which I still think about more than the beautiful coastlines I traveled.
So, what’s on my reading list for this summer? I’ll start with my to-be-read pile but, like always, I’ll leave room for spontaneity. I hope my kids embrace the same freedom and savor their time to read before the school year rush begins again. If you’re looking for more tips on home insemination, check out this informative blog post. Plus, for those interested in artificial insemination, Make a Mom offers a great kit. And for an excellent resource on the IVF process, visit this article on Parents.
Summary
In this reflection on summer reading, Mia shares her experiences and choices from past summers, emphasizing the importance of reading freely and independently. She hopes her children will embrace this spirit as they select their summer books, while also noting how certain titles evoke vivid memories from her own life.