We are offering a new series called “Summer Reading,” with assorted Stream writers and contributors offering what they’ll be toting in book bags this vacation season or their reflections on summer reading. See the others here.

Can someone please tell me what a vacation is? And what summer reading list is? For years, I’ve been reading, reading, reading. But not the latest Karen Kingsbury. Nor Francine Rivers’ best seller. J.R.R. Tolkien? I only wish.

Nope. I’ve been knee-deep in dry academic articles for quite some time. You know, the kind that sport the quantitative charts. Or perhaps a longitudinal qualitative study on the eating habits of small mice. Will someone please tell me why I thought it was a good idea to attempt a PhD program? Right about now, it ain’t fun.

Fun Summer Reading

Especially when I see Rob Schwarzwalder‘s list of C.S. Lewis and Mark Twain. Or Al‘s list of Michael Brown and Dennis Prager. Heck, I’ll even read the books on Liberty‘s list about the Christian life and morality. 

I don’t have time to read those. Or the energy. Still, I think I’ve come up with my perfect summer reading list. 

Okay, My Real List

I’m going to read The Pokey Little Puppy (he always gets dessert). Or maybe the Little Blue Truck (beep, beep, beep!). I’m going to read Goodnight Moon (good night to the old woman whispering hush!) and Pajama Time (Jamma, Jamma, Jamma, Jamma PJ!) and Love You Forever (he’ll always be my baby). Perhaps even Max Lucado’s Just In Case You Ever Wonder.

Yep. My four-year-old’s books are just the ticket. I can read a bedtime story and allow my brain to relax. Sometimes he reads to me (even better). 

Really, it’s time to snuggle and share a cute story. Time to let him know how important he is. Time to say our evening prayers. Time away from homework. And yes, the time I can spend laying on his bed with my eyes shut as long as he will let me.

I may not have a vacation this summer, or a snazzy reading list. But I’ve got my little man, his treasure trove of easy-to-read stories and a comfy bed. Summer reading can’t get any better than that.

Karen Kingsbury, you’ll have to wait.