Finally! The warmer weather seems to have arrived and I am excited for it. Beach days, hiking, BBQs and bonfires! And reading out in the sun. Now, as you know, I am not someone who loves to read romance novels in the summer…or ever. But reading outside on the deck is great. Maybe I can get a hammock to lay in while I read. That could be fun. But, let me talk about my summer reading plan!
Summer Reading With Friends
My friends and I all enjoy a good book. We don’t all enjoy the same style of book, but it’s still fun to just get together with people and read while enjoying the summer weather. I hope that this summer involves lots of beach reading, picnics and reading, and just for us to enjoy our time together. Summer gets busy for all of us and sometimes it’s hard to get together. Or days that we can get together are bad weather so it’s not as tempting to go outside. But, hopefully, this summer gives us lots of opportunity and we can get out together.
Attacking My Goal
I wonder if I should up my TBR picks for the summer. True, I won’t exactly have more time than I do now, but if I’m sitting outside regularly and reading, I might get through books faster. And going for audiobook walks is a great way to get in some exercise and get through a book at the same time. We will see how things go with this last week of May and how June looks. Then again, if I only pick 5 books and finish them, I have time to catch up on missed books. They are currently staring at me, waiting for me to get to them. But, I think for the summer months – June, July, and August – I will aim to read 20 books in those 3 months. Do you think I can do it?
Summer Reading Day Plan
Last year I went to Thermea and didn’t think to bring a book with me. This year, I am hoping to go back there for a day and bring a few books with me. A day at Thermea sounds like a great way to get a lot of reading done. Yes, finances are tight. But I will only go if I can put enough money to the side, and it will be during the week I’m hoping to take off from work. That week will only happen if I can bank 40 hours. Then I still get paid for that week. I think I might be able to get that week in August, so fingers crossed that everything works out.
Coffee Shop Days
I am also hoping to be able to spend some time at a coffee shop near me a few times this summer. To be able to walk there and get some reading and writing done – that sounds like a great day to me as well. And we know I have a lot of writing that needs to get done as I enter into a season of getting things ready for publishing my first book. But, coffee shop days require some money as well. I won’t be the person who sits there for hours and doesn’t order anything but 1 cup of coffee and a glass of water. I will order something every few hours. Food, drinks. And maybe I will invite someone to join me for some of the time.
Summer Reading 75 Booked
Let me wrap this up by saying that my first week of 75 Booked was a complete success. I read books, I drank water, and I even added a bonus onto it this past week. This part I kept a secret because I didn’t know if I wanted to add it officially. But, after a week, I think I will. I will be adding some movement every day. Now, I’m not saying it has to be 45 minutes, like 75 soft. Just something to get me into a regular exercise type of routine. Last week I did yoga on 6 of those days and the other day I went for a walk with a friend.
What’s Helping
Not making a time requirement is huge. Even if one of those yoga sessions is only 10 minutes – I have chosen to add some movement to my day. You might be wondering what brought this on. I’m gaining weight and it’s uncomfortable. Last week I was doing child’s pose and I couldn’t take a decent breath. My stomach was too big. That is the first time that has happened to me and I was disheartened. Now, doing just yoga might not help me lose a ton of weight. But the goal is to get me into the habit of exercising again. And we will go from there.
Let’s Do This
I want to make this summer the best that I can. More writing and reading, to start. And I want time with friends, and I want so many BBQs and bonfires with friends and family. Most summers I feel like I wasted because I was just inside watching TV and movies. Not this one. This summer I want to enjoy every moment. Okay, maybe I won’t enjoy the time at work stuck inside, but you know what I mean. Make every moment count. What are your hopes for the summer? Let’s make it the best summer ever. Anything can happen if we try.
