I started the #VentureForth Summer Reading Program last year when I found my love of reading fueled by an increase in pandemic-inspired “free time”. I was reading more often and it led to nostalgic feelings of childhood Summer reading programs hosted by local libraries. I wanted to stoke that nostalgia and so I created this.
I have been open in this forum in the past that I often struggle during the Summer months with a heat-induced malaise that spits me out the other end when signs of Autumn return. It is like I am ejected into a world of pumpkin spice and orange hues and wonder what I just did with the last three to four months.
One of the ways I have found to counteract this time snatcher experience is to intentionally do outdoor activities despite the heat and humidity: walk, run, play outdoor games, spend mornings on the deck. The other is to read. Read with engagement, read for fun, read with the reckless abandon I had as a kid when I would check out tons of books from the library and read and re-read them. I had favorites that remain favorites today that I would get from the library over and over again during the Summer.
I will be combining this with Cath’s “20 Books of Summer ’21” event, which I will post about soon.
#VentureForth is not something to “join” per se. If you want to use the graphic and do your own Summer Reading Program, that would be awesome. If you want to post links to reviews of books in the comments here, you are more than welcome.
But what I really want, especially if you have long been a reader and want to continue on with or return to a passion for reading, is for you to enter this season with childlike joy and just enjoy the heck out of whatever you choose to read.
On a final note, I start #VentureForth on the 25th (and yes, I know today is the 26th, but I was reading yesterday) because May 25th, 1977 was the release of Star Wars, and reading Star Wars novelizations and books by Alan Dean Foster and Brian Daley fueled many a Summer. And also it is my dear friend Jeff Smith’s birthday, and we share a great love of reading, so it makes me happy to start it on May 25th.
Venture Forth, happy reading!
I love it. I love SW, reading and my birthday so I’m in!!!
Glad to hear it! I’m looking forward to seeing where my reading whims take me this Summer, and I’m going to take inspiration from my better half: She reads for at least 30 minutes a night in bed before going to sleep. So even if I have busy days I’m going to carve out that time like she does because otherwise I find myself wasting too much time on an electronic device.
I’ve been in a funk for some time now… but I read when my mind will understand what I am reading! heh. I post all my reads on line to my blog, is there a special place we need to put them?? (gee, this ends just in time for RIP…. imagine that!)
You are welcome to just come up a link in here in the comments every time if you want to.
And yes, the timing does end just perfectly for R.I.P. I really enjoyed participating in it last year and already have books I want to read for it this year.
I love the idea of this. Summer reading programs from the library literally saved me as a kid, growing up on the streets of Hollywood with NO supervision. I mean, I forged my mom’s signature so I could get a library card. I am doing Cathy’s 10 Books of Summer but I am totally in for this too.
Thanks Ti! Don’t you find it odd that a parent would need to sign something for a kid to get a library card? I’m glad you were able to get around that barrier and take advantage of something all kids should be welcomed to: the library. You probably have some very interesting stories of your younger years growing up in Hollywood.
I’m glad you are doing both of these, should be a fun summer of reading.
Hi Carl,
I love your concept for this. I’m taking two online college classes this summer so I might not have a lot of time for fun reading. I’m going to attempt to read for 30 min before bed and hopefully not fall asleep, lol. My local library added an adult portion to their summer reading a few years ago. It’s pretty low key but nice.
Hi Brittannie!!!! Thank you. Congrats on your Summer classes, I’m sure you’ll get a lot out of the experience this Summer. I can relate to your sleeping comment, the older I get the more I find myself getting very sleepy when reading, which is a bummer!
Our library added an adult portion to their Summer Reading Program a few years ago and I think it is a fun idea. Helps make it more of a family affair if parents have kids participating.
Venture Forth: https://herethereandeverywhere2ndedition.blogspot.com/ “Wishtree” by Katherine Applegate.
I will go over and check it out, thanks for posting! Oddly enough I am listening to a Katherine Applegate novel now that I started today: Crenshaw.
I hope you will be sharing your thoughts on some of your summer reads. I enjoyed your posts last year and you always have such great photos of your books.
TracyK at Bitter Tea and Mystery
Thank you, I will. I plan on posting reviews and hopefully will stick to that plan. I’m also on Instagram under @steel_droppings and will always post the same photos from my reviews over there, just not usually as detailed of a review.