Summer Reading Habits + How to Make Time for Books

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There is something about summer that shifts the way I read. The pace feels slower, the day longer, and I find myself really craving books to match. 

Cozy fantasy, dreamy fantasy, fast-paced thrillers I can tear through in a weekend. 

This season I’ve been leaning into that. In today’s post, I’m walking you through how my reading habits have shifted this summer and how I actually make time for books. 

Even with a full-time job and a growing blogging business. 

How My Reading Habits Shift in the Summer

In the colder months, I tend to gravitate towards heavier reads. Emotional, literary, or historical fiction that asks a lot of my attention. That hopes I’ll snuggle up under a thick blanket and give it hours of my time. 

But summer? Summer calls for books that feel fun, or a little messy in a good way. 

This summer I’ve been noticing:

Shorter reading sprints: I tend to read in small pockets. A chapter with an iced tea in the morning, or listening to an audiobook during my commute but not at my desk, or setting aside 20 minutes before bed to read. 

More mood reading: Earlier in the year I was trying to stick to a TBR. Mainly because it helped me to feel less scattered. 

But at some point you’ve gotta just put a book down if the vibe isn’t right. I let go of the guilt and put the book down, choosing to move onto the next one. 

What My Summer Reading Routine Looks Like

Here’s a peek into the reading rhythm that has been working for me lately. 

Morning:

On weekends, I love starting the day with a cup of cold brew tea and at least half a dozen chapters. I really allow myself to soak in more reading time since I don’t wake up early on the weekdays to read. 

Midday: 

If it’s a weekday, I’ll bring my Kindle to work with me. This helps me prevent doom scrolling on my lunch break. On the weekends, I’ll bring my Kindle if I have an appointment, or I’ll listen to an audiobook while running errands. 

Evening: 

Lately, I’ve been enjoying lounging on the couch and rewatching comfort shows. 

So this has taken some of my reading time and, honestly? I’m cool with that. I still make time to read before bed, just not as much as I did before. 

Weekend pockets: 

I’ve stopped trying to force myself to read any second I have a few spare moments. However, I do love giving myself lots of time in the morning and in the evening on the weekends. Since I have more free time, I make more time. 

This is also so during the week I can spend more time resting and enjoying the summer heat. 

How I Make More Time to Read

Always have a good within reach. Keep a book or your Kindle in your bag. Have an audiobook ready to go. 

Pair books with routines. Audiobooks can be great while walking on the treadmill or cooking dinner. 

Give yourself permission to DNF. Nothing will slow down your reading than trying to force yourself to read a book you just don’t want to. 

Reading in small sprints. This is a personal fave. Rather than spending the whole afternoon reading (unless I am just that hooked) I squeeze in multiple short pockets of time for reading. 

Audiobooks and re-reads are your friends! It all counts. A cozy reread is just as nourishing and filling as a brand new release. 

What I’ve Been Reading Lately

I have been in a bit of a reading slump, but here are some books I’d love to read this summer (aka my summer TBR):

• Finishing the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas (currently on Empire of Storms!)
• Starting The Sacred Stones series by Kate Golden (picked up A Dawn of Onyx recently)
• Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon (DnD meets Fantasy Romance? Yes, please!)

There are a ton more, check out my Goodreads! 

Final Thoughts

Summer reading (like the rest of the year truthfully) doesn’t have to be a challenge. It can be slow, soft, or spontaneous. 

Whether you’re devouring a thriller on the beach or sneaking in a few pages on your lunch break, it all counts. 

Let me know what you’ve been reading this summer! If you’ve also recently joined the mood reader’s club, I’d love to know what’s been working for you. 

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