Summer reading from someone who doesn't pay any attention to summer.

It was an exciting weekend at Chez Citizen Reader: I was honored to be quoted in our local newspaper's story about summer reading. Let's hear it for Kim, over at Sophisticated Dorkiness, who wrote the article: Kim, you did a nice job, and hey, it's always nice for book news to get a little space in the print media.

What was just a tad ironic about my part in the story was that, as I told Kim, I don't have kids and we don't take vacations or anything in the summer, so we hardly ever notice it IS summer, and because of that, I never really think of or read "beach reads."*

But Kim took all that information with good grace and a willingness to provide nonfiction title suggestions as well as fiction ones, and we had a lovely conversation all about the nonfiction we're reading, which was awesome. (Let's also hear it for my librarian friends Jane and Liz, also quoted in the article, who, as per usual, were more eloquent than me.)

All of this made up slightly for the fact that I couldn't find a damn thing I wanted to read this weekend--plenty of books around, but I just didn't enjoy anything I started. I'm hoping to turn that around this week.

And how's about you? Does summer constitute a different reading season for any of you? Got any big plans for reading this summer?

*Add this layer of irony: I hate beaches, as I can't swim and I abhor hot weather. And no, I'm not going to learn to swim. For one thing, I've already learned, and forgotten how; for another, when I could swim, all I did was get water in my mouth, always leading me to think, "why am I making it harder to breathe?" Plus, if I can't swim and don't go to the beach, I never have to buy a swimsuit. This plan has been working out splendidly for at least the last decade and a half of my life, and I don't believe in fixing what isn't broken.

Comments

[Laura]

I read all the time. In the summer, I read slightly more, but not so you'd really notice. I don't really have summer reading 'goals' - maybe I should. I'm not into beaches or heat - I like comfy chairs and A/C.

I hate those weekends where you just can't manage to start anything that appeals - I had one last week and it sucked. Thankfully, it seems to be over and I just finished a memoir that really charmed me - Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy by Bob Harris. It was primarily about his appearances on Jeopardy but he managed to deftly weave in all sorts of interesting stuff about his life. I really enjoyed it - but perhaps it helped that I've always loved the show :-)

[Nan]

Not only do I not differentiate between seasonal readings, I make soup and stew in summer and salads in winter. It's all part of the flow. And I hate hot weather, oh, and bugs, too. :<)

[Melanie]

I'm in the same boat as you - no kids, hate summer, hate the beach. I've never understood summer reading - why should it be any different than the rest of the year? My book clubs meet year round and I always have things to read for work. The books are never ending...

[Citizen Reader]

Laura,
Yay, A/C! I don't like it on industrial strength, but man, I didn't have it when I was little and I can't believe any of us got any sleep at night!

Thanks for the Jeopardy book recommendation--I'm going to look into it. LOVE Alex Trebek, after all--and he's Canadian!

[Citizen Reader]

Nan,
Et tu? I LOVE making soup in the summer--there's no better light supper when it's hot than soup and some good bread.

And Melanie--
This is all starting to make me wonder if cooler weather people are bigger readers than warmer weather people. I wonder what nationwide reading patterns look like, with colder northern states vs. warmer southern states.

And I totally agree with you. Summer, winter, etc., all I know is that there is NEVER enough time to read!

[Nancy Wilson]

I read more in the summer because I can get out of the house and into the backyard. Our house offers no privacy and I have a teenager. I've lost the ability to block out the phone, the TV, or the radio so I need to find a quiet place to read...just me and birds out on the patio!

[Ruthiella]

I think I might read more in the summer because it is lighter longer, but I have never done a scientific study. I definitely don't choose books according to seasons.

What is "a beach read" anyway? I know what an "airplane read" is. Does "beach read" denote content?

I am actually loath to take books to places like the beach or a pool. They might get wet or dirty or suntan oil on them. I try to respect my books (and those I check out from the library or borrow from others).

[Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)]

Thanks for the compliment! I always worry when I post an article whether it's going to turn out or not, and with all the frantic editing and back and forths as a freelancer, it's even more scary :)

[Venta]

I read Shot in the Heart while poolside in Hawaii. My 2010 summer reading began this week with Columbine: A True Crime Story, but technically it's still winter in Seattle since it's still raining.

[Rick]

Last year I had a list ready for summer, but I have not gotten around to it this year. I am reading haphazardly.

I too like soup anytime. Mistaking red wine for white, I ended up making pink potato soup this past weekend. Bonnie thought it looked pretty strange, but the taste was okay.

[Citizen Reader]

Nancy,
Oh yes, I understand the allure of reading outside. I like my front stairs for the purpose, but a patio sounds pretty nice too!

Ruthiella,
It's a little easier to get up earlier in the summer and read too, because of those longer days, so that's a good point. If the table of "beach reads" at my local Borders is any indication, beach reads are primarily thrillers, women's fiction, and other light or fast-paced fiction fare. Not many NF titles there! But other than that I've not done a real scientific study of what constitutes beach reads either.

Thank you for not taking your books to the beach--when I worked at the library I spent a lot of time trying to brush sand out from between book jackets and their protective mylar covers. Don't miss that chore.

Kim,
You're welcome. You did a great job. Keep me posted when your next article in the Journal comes out, too, okay?

Venta,
Before I even saw your name on the comment I saw "Shot in the Heart" and thought, that's Venta. Glad to see someone out there considers NF as her summer reads. :) Any other true crime classics (besides Columbine) that you're planning on this year?

Rick,
Sometimes reading haphazardly is the best. Lists are nice too but you have to leave yourself open to serendipity.

Pink potato soup! Sounds awesome. I love potatoes AND wine so it sounds like a tasty mix. Good for you, shaking up the recipe.

[Care]

I don't have any different reading goals by season. I bounce around genres and light vs heavy, fic vs NF all year 'round.

KIM did an excellent job with the article! I liked the mention of summer reading being a bit more communal - I love to see what people are reading at the pool and always hope that someone will talk to me based on the book I'm reading. And yet I am reluctant to interrupt anyone else's reading time. Go figure.

[Venta]

I just got a copy of The Michigan Murders through interlibrary loan. I saw that Reader's Advisor Online had a link to an article about the best true crime books ever published. It was an interesting article with lots of great discussion about her choices.

[Junior]

I read mtlosy between projects, but having a young child at home makes it even harder to get that time in. I read on average probably 10 12 book a year. That sure doesn't seem like many !