The first day of summer feels like a fresh chapter. The days stretch longer, the air smells sweeter, and suddenly, everything feels just a little bit more possible.
Whether you’re a beach reader, a hammock lounger, or someone who prefers a cozy indoor escape with the AC humming, there’s no better time to lean into your love of books. So, in honor of the sunny season ahead, here are 10 bookish ways to celebrate the first day of summer.
Celebrate the First Day of Summer with These 10 Fun Book Ideas
1. Create a Summer TBR Jar
Let’s start with a little bookish adventure! Write down the titles you want to read this summer on slips of paper and pop them into a cute jar (bonus points if you decorate it with sun stickers or washi tape). When you’re unsure what to read next, just draw from the jar and let fate decide.
Want to make it more fun? Include a few “wild card” slips with prompts like:
- “Reread a childhood favorite”
- “Pick a book based on its cover”
- “Start a book from a genre you have never read”
This way, your summer TBR feels playful and spontaneous, just like summer should be.
2. Host a Summer Solstice Book Picnic
Grab your favorite blanket, pack some seasonal snacks (think fresh berries, iced tea, and maybe a scone or two), and head to a local park or beach. Bring a book or invite a few friends and turn it into a mini book club picnic. Everyone can read silently, or you can pick a short story or essay to read aloud and discuss.
Not into reading in public? Host your book picnic in the backyard or even your living room floor with the windows open. Fairy lights and a fan = instant summer mood.
3. Decorate Your Reading Nook for Summer
Your reading space deserves a seasonal refresh, too! Swap out heavy blankets for light throws, add a summery candle (like coconut or sea salt breeze), and bring in a potted plant or two. Even a small bowl of seashells or a framed book quote can make it feel more magical.
Pro tip: Change your background playlist to something chill and beachy while you read. Think acoustic guitar, ocean sounds, or even a soft jazz café vibe.
4. Start a Summer Reading Challenge (Just for You)
Why let libraries and book clubs have all the fun? Set your own personal summer reading challenge: maybe it’s 10 books by Labor Day, or maybe it’s reading one book from each continent. The rules are totally up to you.
You can even create a visual tracker in your bullet journal or use an app like StoryGraph or Goodreads to log your progress. The satisfaction of checking off books is surprisingly addictive.
5. Read a Book Set in Summer
There’s something magical about reading a summer-set story during summer. It’s like literary inception: you’re reading about a beach trip while on a beach trip (or wishing you were). Some favorites to kick off the season:
- The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh
- Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber
- Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
- The Beach Trap by Ali Brady
- Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland
- One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
- Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Pick one, pour yourself a cold drink, and let the summery vibes wash over you.
6. Create a Summer Book Swap with Friends
Who doesn’t love getting new books for free? Organize a casual book swap with a few friends. You can meet in person with snacks and lemonade, or do it virtually and mail books to each other with handwritten notes tucked inside.
Encourage everyone to bring gently used books they’ve already read and loved (or maybe didn’t love, but want to pass along). Add a summery twist by wrapping them in brown paper and labeling them with clues like “perfect for a pool day” or “romance with a side of sangria.”
7. Make a Bookish Summer Craft
Tap into your creative side with a book-inspired summer craft. Some fun ideas:
- Paint tote bags with quotes from your favorite summer reads
- Make bookmarks with pressed flowers or scrapbook supplies
- Create a sun-themed book quote wall (think “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves…” from The Great Gatsby)
- DIY a summer reading journal with space for mini reviews, star ratings, and snack pairings
Crafts and books? A summer combo as sweet as strawberry shortcake.
8. Spend a Day at a Local Indie Bookstore
Support your local indie and spend a lazy summer afternoon browsing the shelves. Many bookstores have summer displays, staff picks, and even themed events around the solstice.
Buy a summery read, a fun new journal, or just enjoy the vibe. If you’re lucky, they might have an outdoor reading space or café where you can start reading right away. No indie nearby? Browse their website and order a “mystery book bundle” based on your favorite genres.
9. Make a Summer Reading Snack Board
If reading snacks are your love language, this one’s for you. Create a bookish snack board filled with summery goodies like:
- Fresh watermelon slices
- Strawberries and blueberries
- Cheese cubes and crackers
- Chocolate-covered almonds
- Lemonade or iced chai latte in a mason jar
Pair your board with a summer romance, a travel memoir, or a cozy fantasy, and you’ve got the perfect first-day-of-summer afternoon.
Bonus points: make your snack board themed to match your book. Reading a book set in Italy? Go for olives, salami, and focaccia. A beach read? Think tropical fruit and coconut bites.
10. Watch a Summer Book-to-Movie Adaptation
Sometimes, celebrating books means letting someone else do the reading, on screen. There are many great summer-themed books that have been adapted into movies. Pick one and make it a cozy movie night (or midday matinee with the blinds drawn and popcorn in hand).
Some summery adaptations to try:
- Where the Crawdads Sing
- The Great Gatsby
- Tuck Everlasting
- Nights in Rodanthe
- Austenland
- The Spectacular Now
- Love & Gelato
You can even read the book first, then watch the movie to compare. A classic book nerd move.
Bonus Idea: Take a Bookish Staycation
If you’ve got the time and the urge to slow down, dedicate an entire day to doing nothing but reading. Put your phone on silent, make your favorite iced drink, and set up camp in your favorite cozy spot.
Treat it like a retreat—no chores, no errands, just reading, relaxing, and resetting. Bonus points if you make a little itinerary, like:
- Morning: Read with coffee on the patio
- Afternoon: Lounge in a hammock or sunny window seat
- Evening: Light candles and read in bed with soft music
Sometimes, the best kind of celebration is the quiet kind.
Final Thoughts
Summer is a season of sunshine, slowness, and stories, and the first day is the perfect moment to soak it all in. Whether you celebrate with a brand-new book, a cozy summer reading nook refresh, or a sunny picnic with literary flair, let this be a reminder that reading isn’t just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle. One that fits perfectly with lazy afternoons and long golden evenings.
So, here’s to summer and all the pages waiting to be turned. Happy summer reading!
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