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Some traditions are full of meaning, history, and importance. My summer reading tradition, however, is not. It’s really just about survival.*

Each summer, I reread two books: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton and Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. I don’t know how or when my tradition began, but I do know this: when it’s suffocatingly hot outside, I look to books to help cool me down. (Well, books and a large body of water!) And it doesn’t really start to feel like summer until I’ve dropped at least one of them into the pool (accidentally, of course, but inevitably).

Wondering if I was the only person with summer reading traditions, I asked the other OOMers about theirs:

Yanique’s tradition, true to her spirit, is much more selfless than mine: she gets her nieces to read new books. “I want my nieces to be smart and become successful. That’s why we take trips to the library, and read and reread their favorite books,” She explains.

Ivy’s summer reading tradition is nice and timely: she always rereads at least one Harry Potter book each summer. “Summertime was always Harry Potter time!” She says. “I would reread it each summer to prep for the next book or movie. Now, I reread it because I simply love the story…as much as I did that first summer, if not more.”

Who out there can relate to Michael’s summer reading tradition? He brings a bunch of books with him on his summer vacation…but then he buys so many new books at his destination that he ends up donating the ones he brought for future guests to read. “I guess I should print a Pass It On for each book I bring this year!” He jokes.

Amanda is tradition-less now, but she had a great one as a kid that might inspire parents: “My family would take a trip to the bookstore right after the school year ended and we would stock up on books to read that summer. Let’s just say I did a number on The Baby-sitters Club shelves!” (I can relate.)

For Jessica, summer is about trying new things: “I try to read a certain type of book each summer. Last year it was audiobooks. This year, it’s adult books. And yes, I am having YA withdrawals!”

And Dante? Well, he says “Sorry…I don’t really have any, other than not reading what I was supposed to.” (Your secret’s safe with us, Dante.)

What are your summer reading traditions, and how did they get started? We’d love to know!

*Forgive the drama, but have you seen the temperatures outside?! Stay cool and hydrated, people!