Summer reading reflections

Hello! Welcome to the second-to-last Messy Summer Reading Club post of 2026. It’s hard to believe. I know for some, you’ve still got some school-free time ahead, so maybe it doesn’t seem fair to ask you to look back and reflect! But for the rest of us, the school supply lists are already out, and we are busy putting a plethora of inconveniently scheduled school events on the calendar. No matter where you find yourself, the role of reflection can serve you. If you still have some time in the summer season, you might be able to identify what you want to prioritize. And for those who are saying goodbye to summer and hello to homework and sports practices, you can pick out what morsels of summer reading you want to take with you. You can answer these questions in any form you like, even just speaking them out loud to a quiet room; we won’t judge.

Ask some questions:

1. If you had to pick one word for my summer reading experience, what would it be?

2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your summer reading experience (10 being grand and 1 being dismal)

3. Was there anything notable about this summer’s reading experience? This could be anything—the amount of time you read, the places you read, the types of things you read, etc.

4. Did you learn anything new about your reading life this summer?

5. Is there one thing you will take with you from your summer reading? A vibe, a new practice, a lesson…

At times of transition (like seasons changing, school starting, a new job, etc.), put together a stack of books that you are looking forward to, or interested in reading, to get hyped up for the new reading season. For instance, I put out stacks seasonally. Sometimes a couple of books stay in the stack because I don’t get to them. They are merely suggestions for the current mood, vibe, or time of year. It also takes away some of the cognitive work of what to read next when you may have a lot on your plate.

Next week is the end of the Messy Summer Reading Club, but it’s also the start of something new. Big announcement coming your way next week all about the new direction for this newsletter, so stay tuned.

Let’s celebrate all that summer reading! Get your fancy fruit drink ready and join in.

• How are you feeling about your summer reading?

• What was your top summer read?

• Any top reading locations this summer?

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As always, just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD, is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider.