My Piece of the Internet

When I was a kid, the library summer reading program was one of my favorite events of the year. First of all, there were the events at the library, which were not only a lot of fun but also ensured that I got taken to the library at least once a week. Secondly, being encouraged to read lots of books and keep a list of the books that I read was a great thing for a hyperlexic kid. I'm like "Yes! Please reward me for something I want to do anyway!"

I've seen a number of people on social media talking about they wished there were things like the library summer reading program and the Scholastic book fair for grown-ups, and now there is! The American Historical Association is holding a Summer Reading Challenge!

The challenge is to complete at least three tasks from this list between June 1 and Labor Day:

1. Read a history of an event with a major anniversary in 2025.
2. Read a history of a resistance movement.
3. Read a history that uses material culture.
4. Read an edited collection, journal forum, or other multi-author work.
5. Read a history that's been sitting on your shelf too long.
6. Read a piece of historical fiction (novel, story, poem, play)

Right now I'm mentally taking task 5 off the table, because unless I go out and buy a new book for the challenge (which I don't anticipate doing), all of the books I read will be histories that have been sitting on my shelf too long.

I got started today, starting to read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, with a goal to finish it by the end of June.

You can read more about the AHA's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge here, and if you see the hashtag "#AHAReads" around your social media, now you know what it is.