Book-Lovers, This Is The Only End-Of-Summer Bucket List You Need

Or under the stars, in a field, or on your computer screen in your backyard. Whether you're an NYC resident who can snag tickets to Shakespeare in the Park, or, like me, a resident of a small town with a local Shakespeare company who performs outdoors all summer, chances are, you can find a performance near you. And if you can't? Take your laptop or tablet to the backyard and stream the adaptation of your choosing. No matter how you do it, seeing one of the Bard's plays while enjoying the summer weather outdoors is an absolute must.

Is it even summer if you haven't read at the beach? Before the sun sets on the warm weather, make sure you pick up one of this year's best beach reads and spend the whole day soaking up the sun while getting lost in a book. And don't worry, because even if you don't like near the ocean, a lakeside beach, public pool, or even a kiddie pool in your backyard will do. Not everyone can take the time or money to head to the shore, but as long as you've found a quiet place outdoors where you can sit and read uninterrupted for an afternoon, you can consider this item checked off your bucket list.

Share your love of books with your neighbors this summer by setting up your own Little Free Library. The perfect way to spread literary love, meet new people, and give back to your community, this bookish DIY project will not only make you feel good, but it just may help you find your new favorite book.

Whether you find yourself somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert or in Rome having a love affair with your pizza, your bookish summer isn't complete until you've had yourself a proper literary road trip. You can sun yourself on the beaches of Key West like Hemmingway, walk the Robert Frost trail in Western Massachusetts, or explore the New York City streets that so many of your favorite authors called home. No matter where you are or what your budget is, chances are, you can find a literary hot-spot worth making a pilgrimage near you.

Have fun, celebrate literature, and give back all at once by volunteering for a bookish organization this summer. Whether you have some spare time on your lunch break to read to kids, or some spare change in your bank account to donate to literacy organizations around the world, do something good before the season is over by checking off "giving back" on your list.

Pack your tea cakes and fasten your bonnet, because before summer is over, you're heading to the hill and having a Jane Austen-style picnic. A wonderful way to spend the afternoon with your closest friends, this bookish activity has everything you could want: food, sunshine, wine, reading, and, if you play your cards right, a game or two. Take it from Emma, nothing is more delightful than a day spent picnicking.

It's no secret that summer s the perfect season for reading, which is why it is also the perfect season for a reading challenge. Whether you're trying to finish all of Rory Gilmore's books, read more writers of color, or finally get through the classics you should have read but haven't, the final weeks of summer is the perfect time to buckle down and get it done.

A bucket list item that you should try and check off every season, going to an author event is a must for the summer. Whether you want to see a new poet read their latest collection, go to an author talk at the local bookstore, or see a panel discussion at your library, there are so many different types of author events going on around the country every day, especially during the summer. Make sure you have time to check at least one of them out before the season is over.

Whether you are on vacation somewhere new, or just hanging around your own community, take the opportunity this summer to find a new independent bookstore to shop at. A great way to discover new novels, find out about events, and support the community, going to a new bookstore is one summer adventure that doesn't require a passport to go on.

Having the best bookish summer isn't just about having cool literary experiences. It's also about creating them. That's why this year you should challenge yourself to try something new by grabbing a newspaper or old book and creating blackout poetry of your own. It's fun, easy, and a great activity to do while you're sunning yourself outside at the beach of the park, passing time during a layover, or stuck in the backseat of a car on a road trip.

Just because you can't fly a broom doesn't mean you can't participate in a friendly game a Quidditch before the season is over. Whether you are part of an official league (of which, yes, there are many) or playing in your backyard with your best mates, this Harry Potter-inspired sport is guaranteed to be way more fun than traditional beach volleyball this summer.

So what if you aren't a rich Long Island play boy with a secret hidden past? That doesn't mean you can't throw a summer party worthy of West Egg residents. Invite your friends over to a champagne-filled bash with lively music and a dress code that includes sequins and tuxedos, and watch the wildest literary party come to life in your own backyard. Just make sure your parties have a better ending than Gatsby's.

If you haven't joined a book club yet — seriously, what are you waiting for? — the summer is the perfect time to do so. Check out your local library and bookstore to join and existing group, sign up for one online, or gather your friends and make a book club of your own. Either way, it's a fun way to turn a solitary hobby into a shared group experience.

Whether it's a small library-sponsored event or a huge international festival, summer is chock full of literary fests all over the world. Find one near you and make this summer the season you reach ultimate peak geekhood and spend the weekend reading, discussing, debating, and celebrating all things books.

Another bookish bucket list item you should consider keeping all year round, journaling is a great way to celebrate your love of the written word: by writing your own. A fun, relaxing, and often inspiring way to not only chronicle your life but express your thoughts, feelings, and desires, journaling is a must, especially during the summer when so many exciting things are happening every week.