As summer starts to heat up, you might be wondering about ways to keep your mind off the weather. Well, don’t worry! We have come up with a few fun things you can do this summer to escape the heat while enjoying some great books.

Read at a Coffee Shop

You can always cuddle up on the couch with your newest book obsession, but why not switch up the scenery! Going somewhere new is always fun and exciting, and local coffee shops are a great place to read while sipping on a nice cold drink. Some people are hesitant to read in busy public places because they don’t want to geheaeaeet distracted. Staying home can sometimes be just as distracting. It might actually be easier to focus when you aren’t constantly tempted by your TV or your favorite snacks a few feet away.

Participate in a Summer Reading Challenge

Many companies, celebrities, and libraries host summer reading challenges to keep people reading and encourage them to try a new genre. Even our own publicity division, BookSparks, has created a popular a great list of books to add to your TBR pile. But if you can’t find one you like, just make your own! Gather a list of books you’ve always wanted to read, but never had the time, and set goals for yourself throughout the summer. Maybe you’ll read five books by September, or maybe you’ll just focus on finishing one. Whatever your goal is, a Summer Reading Challenge is a great way to motivate yourself to read more books this summer.

Volunteer at a Library

Spending time volunteering at a local library is a great way to give back to the community and escape the heat for a few hours! With kids out of school for the summer, many libraries host events or book readings to keep them engaged and interested in learning year-round. Next time you go to your local library to pick up a book, ask if they need volunteers. They might just surprise you!

Attend a Reading or Book Signing Event

Not a lot of people know it, but there are book events happening all the time! Check out your local library and bookstore websites or newsletters to see if there are any upcoming events you may want to attend. This can be a fun way to get to know an author better and gain a deeper understanding of what was the inspiration for your favorite book. Don’t be shy about going to an event for an author you’ve never heard of. You may just discover your new favorite book!

Find a Popup Library

More and more libraries are hosting popup libraries to reach new readers and promote all the exciting things their library has to offer. Libraries aren’t just a place to pick up and drop off books—many have their own unique promotions or special events. Popup libraries are a great way for librarians to interact with the community and it’s a great way for you to get to know what kinds of things your local libraries have to offer. One of the most popular popup libraries is Little Free Libraries. This company allows communities the resources to set up a box where people can pick up books and replace it with another. They have many locations around the country, so you could easily spend a day looking up locations near you and see if you can find them!

Drop Off Old Books at a Second-Hand Book Store

Drop off some of your old books at a second hand bookstore, and you may unearth some unexpected literary treasures. Take some time to look around the store to see what rare or old books you might find. Dropping off old books and buying used ones, usually for a great price, can be a fun way to give back to the community and help support local businesses!