A summer break presents the perfect opportunity for many of us to plough through books that have been waiting in the must-read pile.
It is also an ideal time to focus on sharing a love for reading with the kids.
But if you are competing with screens and children who are reluctant to pick up a book, a summer challenge awaits.
Librarians across the country are calling on families to take up the their summer challenge by joining the Summer Reading Club.
In Canberra, libraries director Vanessa Little is leading the charge.
"If you don't use it, you lose it," she said.
"And kids do lose some of their reading ability over that long January holiday if they don't pick up a book."
Ms Little said the Summer Reading Club had been designed to have kids returning to school in the new year having developed their skills.
"It's important for kids to read just a little bit every day," she said.
"And for the little ones, just reading for 10 minutes a day can set them up for literacy for life."
Modelling the joy of reading
With more time spent looking at screens, Ms Little said many kids were missing out on opportunities to develop a love of reading.
"It's really important for kids to see that reading is an important part of an adult's life.
"We want the kids to see that reading is just something we do in everyday life."
Ms Little suggested that parents make an effort to talk to their children about what they are reading.
"Discuss the book, ask about characters and talk about the plot.
"Get the children to think about what it is that they're reading."
