To let dd15 simply read all summer

She doesn’t necessarily need company. Lots of people don’t.

Also, reading doesn’t prohibit her from going outdoors or taking a walk.

I think even if it was romantasies it would be fine. Her GCSEs are a year away. Sure, it's not a bad idea to set aside an hour here or there so she can keep her hand in for next year but who studies for hours a day a year out?

I bet you wouldn’t blink twice if she wanted to play tennis or something all summer ?! Why is reading not an acceptable activity? Yes it’s a solitary one but there’s not much one can do about that! No person ever suffered from reading too much and too widely.

I’m going to assume this is a reverse / humble brag. She sounds like a dream.

Why is this a dilemma for you? She wants to read as opposed to doing what? Were you thinking she should be getting a job or doing revision studying or what? And do you really think she's going to be filling up every day 24 hours nonstop with reading? If you wanted her to be doing things to help out around the house, why not get her an Audible subscription and let her listen on her phone while she does chores? I think her idea (and the choice of books) sounds quite laudable.

Perfect. My dds spent their summers reading in the garden. That's what summers are for. Kicking back and just doing what you want.

Absolutely no work required at that age. No physical nor school work required.

My dream summer, too. And what my DDs did at that age. 😊

Sounds dreamy!!!

No one should be studying for their GCSEs in the summer holidays! What?!

Reading for pleasure is so good for her brain, understanding of the world and her emotional development. You'll be doing her a huge favour by supporting her ambition to read through the summer weeks.

Especially because it's the ultimate transportable activity. She can read in the garden, in any number of local parks, at local beaches.

Good for her. Literally good for her!

I'm a big reader and always have been. I've now got an excel spreadsheet with a worksheet for each year's reading list and accompanying TBR list. I have a worksheet for the BBC 100 books to read before you die and a couple of other reading lists that I also update when I read something off the list. I've got a worksheet of 30 different genres/types of books to read through the year that helps me to mix things up and not get stuck in a genre hole. This includes "a book written 100 years ago", "classic horror", "about a culture you're unfamiliar with", "an author the same age as you" etc. I also use the Goodreads Challenge to mix up my genres, get introduced to new authors and all sorts. So good to hear she's got her own version of the 100 TBR!

For those who've inferred that reading lots = not socialising, that's not true for me! I'm going to a big gig with friends on Friday and I'll read on the train on the way to meet them. On my summer holidays away in the sun with friends as a teenager we'd all be reading on the beach or by the pool and still manage to flirt with boys, drink fishbowls and have fun. It's not one or the other.

15 is a really hard age to get a job these days as lots of places won't take them that young but if she's able to do some babysitting for family friends, that could help her save up some pennies over the summer. (She can also read once the kids are in bed!)

In the summer pre GCSEs and pre A Levels and pre English Lit at Uni I included the titles of books I knew we'd be studying through the year alongside books I'd chosen for fun. I loved Jane Eyre and Sylvia Plath more for having explored them on my own in gardens and beaches and parks before then trawling through them with a fine tooth comb in school.

Not sure whereabouts you're based but there are some fab bookish days out that she could do with you or friends to enhance her reading challenge. Within a day-trip drive or train from me this would include Hay-on-Wye with all its many many many bookshops, some antiquarian, some second hand but all fascinating; and Bath for the Jane Austen Centre. Or go to the cinema with mates after reading a book that's been made into a recent film. (Animal Farm is out in late July but there are loads on Netflix etc too).

Exercise
family days out too
it would be good to see friends if she does have friends - keep social skills up

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.” Joyce Carol Oates.

At your DDs age I was an avid reader, discovering Jilly Cooper and Stephen King. I devoured their books. Hours curled up reading were never wasted. I’m still reading for a couple of hours minimum daily. Second hand paperbacks, and my Kindle is always in my bag if I’m out and have time to sneak a chapter or two in,

I taught English Literature at a high school, the students who enjoyed reading for pleasure managed set texts so much better than those that saw it as a chore.

Maybe read one of the books she’s finished yourself and discuss it with her? Bit of bonding time and will prepare her for GCSE debate and analytical skills.

THIS, OP! ⬆️ Everybody needs to exercise regardless of their weight. Every single person on the planet

Kids need exercise or you'll be back here asking what you can do to help her lose weight.

And yes I know you're going to say she's currently thinner than a pencil, but she'll still need exercise.

She needs to look up and participate in life now and again. Reading is excellent but she's missing out if she doesn't do anything else.

Wanting to do anything to the exclusion of all else isn't really that healthy for development. Whether it be reading books or spending all day gaming, which I'm sure everyone would be up in arms about on here if that was the only activity of choice.

@waterrat

because if that’s ALL she wants to do then that’s unhealthy

Not everyone wants to socialise in person/go out with friends or even has that option. OP, it's fine to let her read. You know her best. If you see a problem developing, suggest she change things up, but otherwise, reading is much better than many other alternatives a 15-year-old could find to fill their time.

I would love this for my daughter and would encourage her to enjoy.

(unlike her mother who at 15 was chugging lambrini, getting fingered in parks and shoplifting rimmel mascaras)

I’d get her to combine it with a daily walk, and maybe all go on an outing once a week- if needs be to somewhere outdoors where she can read on a bench etc. Reading is great, but it’s a shame not to get fresh air and a bit of vitamin D in the summer.

I did this every summer as a child/teenager, it was glorious! It also got me in to Cambridge to read English, which frankly set me up for life. So - God yes, if that’s what she wants, go for it!