I’ll be honest—summer reading has been a struggle for me these past few years. Unless it was a breezy beach read, my brain just couldn’t handle anything heavier. Mental bandwidth? Zero. But something shifted this year. Maybe I’m finally shaking off the lingering fog of the pandemic. Maybe it’s that my kids are finally at the magical age where I can read for more than five minutes before someone needs a snack, a referee, or a cuddle. Whatever the reason, I’m choosing to celebrate the small but meaningful progress. 

As educators—and especially as librarians—we spend so much time recommending books to our students and colleagues. We encourage, we promote, we display, we gently nudge. But I’m not sure how often I actually talk about my own reading life. How often do I let learners and coworkers see me as an active, engaged reader? I’m excited to return to school with more than just a list of titles—I’m coming back with genuine enthusiasm and personal connections to the books I’ve spent time with this summer. 

At the start of June, I set a goal: read two books each week. That could mean a professional development title, a novel I can later book talk, or something just for me. I haven’t quite kept that pace, but I’m still proud of the reading momentum I’ve built. It feels good to be back in the rhythm. 

Here’s what I’ve read, what I’m currently reading, and what I hope to finish before summer winds down—books that are shaping my thinking, refreshing my practice, and helping me point my students to stories they’ll love: 

Professional Reads:  

  1. Read: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.  It took me a while, but I finally got around to it and I’m glad I did.  As a mom of a 10-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, this book was incredibly timely and also made me think about how I am using technology personally and professionally so that I am properly modeling technology use for my own children and my learners.  
  2. Read: An Introduction to Collection Development for School Librarians by Mona Kerby.  Given the recent influx of book challenges, I wanted to ensure that my collection development policies were on point.  There is so much packed in this little book.  Mona does an amazing job of breaking it down and keeping it real.  
  3. Currently Reading: Learning Centers for School Libraries by Maura Madigan.  I am looking to switch up how I run my Kindergarten classes, and this book is incredibly helpful for ideas. 
  4. Currently Reading: Leading a Culture of Reading: How to Ignite and Sustain a Love of Literacy in Your School Community by Lorraine M. Radice 
  5. Want to Read: Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching and Learning by Gholdy Muhammad 
  6. Want to Read: How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks 

Personal Reads (for funsies): 

  1. Read: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez.  All this heavy reading requires a little break.  And let’s face it, I’m not going to read about Collection Development poolside. It was a great Rom-Com by the way. 
  2. Read: Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout 
  3. Read: The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden 
  4. Currently Reading: Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez.  
  5. Want to Read: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin 
  6. Want to Read: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Student Reads

(I teach Junior Kindergarten – 4th grade) 

  1. Read: Future Me Saves the World (and Ruins My Life) by Lea Cypress 
  2. Read: Spooky Lakes by Geo Rutherford 
  3. Read: Aven Green Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling 
  4. Read: The Truth About the Tooth Fairy: Miriam’s Magic Creature Files #1 by Leah Cypress. This the second book I’ve read of Cypress’ this summer and I’m now officially a fan for elementary learners.  
  5. Currently Reading: The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon 
  6. Want to Read: Unicorn Boy Book 1 by Dave Roman 

How about you?  What’s on your summer reading list, either personally or professionally?