Summer Reading Adventure: Learn More
Submissions for the National Book Foundation’s Summer Reading Adventure have now closed, but you can still find inspiration for your year-round reading Adventures below:
What was your favorite summer reading adventure moment?
Everyone who entered the 2026 Summer Reading Adventure will receive a discount code for Bookshop.org and a free audiobook from Libro.fm.
You could also win:
A: The prompts! As a certified type A, I like structure to my seasonal reading and the Summer Reading Adventure was the perfect mix of fun prompts, while also encouraging me to use my public library services, read outside, and ask for personal recommendations!
A: Attending the National Book Awards was one of the coolest experiences. Being in the same room as such incredible writers, editors, publishers, booksellers, and fellow passionate book lovers was truly an honor. There was an energy to that evening that is hard to replicate—everyone so proud and honored to be there to share in something that changes the world! Reading opens minds and hearts, and the Award Ceremony was the perfect embodiment of that.
A: The highlight of the evening was hearing directly from the authors about what the award, and the practice of writing, means to them. I was blown away by the empathy, intelligence, and heart each winner spoke with, as well as their unique stories of how they became authors. Some acceptance speeches moved the entire audience to tears, while others had the room exploding with laughter. Being a part of congratulating and celebrating the achievements of the authors was truly an evening to remember.
A: Before the 2024 Summer Reading Adventure, I never really listened to audiobooks with any regularity. But to check that box for the Adventure, I listened to several, including James by Percival Everett, which I absolutely adored (more on that below).
Another audiobook that I listened to that summer was Samuel West’s performance of the 1896 poetry collection A Shropshire Lad by A.E. Houseman. At the time, I’d just started taking classical voice lessons and was singing a piece that was based on one of the poems in the collection. It was incredibly moving to hear the entire collection read by West, who played Leonard Bast in 1992’s film adaptation of Howards End, another favorite of mine.
A: Attending the Awards was such a joyful whirlwind—walking the red carpet at Cipriani Wall Street, getting to see the brilliant Kate McKinnon and Jon Batiste, breathing the same air as literary titans like Lauren Groff, Salman Rushdie, Barbara Kingsolver, and Percival Everett.
I also loved sharing this experience with my mom. I’ve written fiction most of my life, and my parents were my earliest editors and writing coaches. In addition to attending the awards ceremony, my mom and I had a wonderful couple of days touring New York with one of her friends who lives in Brooklyn.
A: Before the Awards Ceremony began, I took a poll of our table to see what book everyone thought should win the Fiction category, and the result was unanimous—James. So, we were beyond excited to find out at the end of the evening that the Fiction judges agreed with us!
Questions on how to participate?
Email Natalie Green, Director of Programs & Partnerships, at ngreen@nationalbook.org.
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