Seven Summer Reading Challenges That Are More Fun Than Getting in Swimsuit Shape

And much more enjoyable than yard work

Paul Combs
5 min readMay 25, 2023

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Image: Wikimedia Commons

Summer is almost upon us, which means it’s time to choose a summer reading challenge (and time for me to write about it again). It already feels like summer where I’m at, which is what reminded me that I need to pick one for myself as well as offering a few options to all of you. And it doesn’t matter if you’re heading to the beach, enjoying a cheap staycation, or working every day between June and September, there is always time to read.

You will find challenges here that are comfortable beach reads as well as some that are more challenging (pun intended). Just always remember that the “challenge” part of a reading challenge isn’t to get through as many books as possible; the real challenge is getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new.

Any of these are easily adaptable to your own reading goals or preferences, so feel free to take what you like and ignore the rest. There’s no prize for finishing any of them either, unless you value knowledge, wisdom, joy, and guaranteed entrance into Paradise; as Borges said, Heaven will be a kind of library.

1. Around the World in 80 Books. I’ve written about this one before and will continue to do so until I shuffle…

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Paul Combs

Writer, bookseller, would-be roadie for the E Street Band. My ultimate goal is to make books as popular in Texas as high school football...it may take a while.