--- title: Summers Are for Reading Plans description: Librarian Tiffany Walsh shares her summer reading plans, featuring plenty of fiction and leaving room for summer spontaneity. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20210614%20TWalsh%202.jpg --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/summers-are-for-reading-plans#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Summers Are for Reading Plans Jun 14, 2021 11:30:00 AM  |  by [Tiffany Walsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/tiffany-walsh) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20210614%20TWalsh%202.jpg) *Librarian Tiffany Walsh shares her summer reading plans, featuring plenty of fiction and leaving room for summer spontaneity.* As a librarian I love to read, and always have, even from my early childhood. I remember quite clearly having one shelf in my small bedroom dedicated to my “To Be Read” stack, and I would feel guilty as it would grow faster than I could possibly read the books. I just loved seeking out new stories to look forward to, and I enjoyed having a selection to choose from when I would inevitably finish a book and move on to picking another. I would arrange them roughly by genre, so the seeds of my future as an Organizer of Books were already being tended and watered. Now, rather than a physical “To Be Read” pile, I have a Kindle e-reader with dozens and dozens of books, catalogued into folders, awaiting my eager eyes!   ![woman wearing a sun hat, reading in the grass](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20210614%20TWalsh%203.jpg?width=1620&name=20210614%20TWalsh%203.jpg)   Just as much as I enjoy collecting, organizing, and reading books, I also enjoy planning roadmaps for myself of a journey through the stories. [I have written in the past about Lenten reading plans](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/03/11/strategies-for-a-satisfying-lenten-spiritual-reading-plan/), but the other time of the year that I tend to become inspired by setting up reading goals for myself is the summer. The summer, with its longer carefree days, has always led me to want to map out a plan through my books: sometimes, I am looking to titles that are inspiring me of late, or I may focus on books that have been sitting on my shelf for quite a spell. Most summers, I find myself with an unofficially official Summer Reading Plan.   ![picnic basket, flowers, and open book](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20210614%20TWalsh%204.jpg?width=1080&name=20210614%20TWalsh%204.jpg)   When I create a reading plan, I want it to be diverse. Contemporary fiction calls to me in the summertime, and its siren call cannot be ignored, but I also want to challenge myself with either a non-fiction title, or perhaps a heavier historical fiction selection. I allow current inspiration to dictate spiritual versus secular titles in the summer, rather than in Lent, where I intentionally focus only on titles related to my faith. The summer is a time to be spontaneous and curious, to explore the world and all of its fascinations. The summer is a time to inspire and be inspired.   ![teacup with spoon on top next to open book](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20210614%20TWalsh%205.jpg?width=1625&name=20210614%20TWalsh%205.jpg)   This summer, I’m planning to read plenty of cozy mysteries (my current read is set around a Maine family clambake business!), and also [Louis de Wohl’s historical novel based on the life of St. Francis Xavier](https://www.amazon.com/Set-All-Afire-Louis-Wohl/dp/0898703514/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=fire+within+louis+de+wohl&qid=1623175319&sr=8-1). I figured St. Francis’s journeys about the world as a missionary were perfect summer fodder! For a combination of both spiritual and secular, I enjoy the inspirational romance titles published monthly by Harlequin Love Inspired, which feature wholesome stories and Christian characters. They have [traditional contemporary titles](https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/love-inspired.html), but also [romantic suspense selections](https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/love-inspired-suspense.html), which are my personal favorite! Summer, but also Christmastime, are times when I turn to these lovely books.   > [Click to tweet: > Do you often read more books in the summer than you do at other times of the year? #catholicmom](https://ctt.ac/T648k) Do you have a specific set of books that you are planning to read this summer? Do you often read more books in the summer than you do at other times of the year? I would love to hear all about it in the comments!   ![woman reading at a dock beside a lake](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20210614%20TWalsh%201.jpg?width=1080&name=20210614%20TWalsh%201.jpg) --- Copyright 2021 Tiffany Walsh Images (from top): [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/id-1698771/) (2016); [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/id-1500650/) (2016); [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/id-2550168/) (2017); [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/id-2388213/) (2017) ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fsummers-are-for-reading-plans%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fsummers-are-for-reading-plans%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fsummers-are-for-reading-plans%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Summers%20Are%20for%20Reading%20Plans) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fsummers-are-for-reading-plans%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fsummers-are-for-reading-plans%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Tiffany Walsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/TIFFANY%20WALSH.jpeg) ### [Tiffany Walsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/tiffany-walsh) Tiffany Walsh is a wife and mother, a native western New Yorker, and a college librarian. She is a cradle Catholic who rekindled her childhood faith as a graduate student via her love of books, and is the author of *[Exploring the Catholic Classics](https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/product/exploring-the-catholic-classics-how-spiritual-reading-can-help-you-grow-in-wisdom-stay-connected-journals-for-catholic-women-2),* part of the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women series. She enjoys writing about faith, crafting, dance, fitness and wellness. Visit her blog at [Life of a Catholic Librarian](http://www.lifeofacatholiclibrarian.com/). ## Related Blog Articles [ Creating a Summer Reading List Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/05/14/creating-a-summer-reading-list/) [ Cozy Fiction for a Cozy Summer of Reading Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/cozy-fiction-for-a-cozy-summer-of-reading) [ Seeking Spiritual Refreshment during Summer Ordinary Time Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/07/11/seeking-spiritual-refreshment-summer-ordinary-time) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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