As educators, our days are filled with responsibilities, often leaving little time for the things we love. Hobbies, self-care, and personal interests can easily take a back seat during the busy school year. Summer is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the activities we love and recharge and refresh for the year ahead.
Whether it’s curling up with one of these fantastic books to help teachers relax, diving into a puzzle, or meditating, summer offers a well-deserved break to unwind. In this post, you’ll find a selection of books to help teachers relax and various puzzles that are perfect companions for those quiet, rejuvenating summer moments.
Before the next school year begins, take this time to dive into these books to help teachers relax and find new ways to enjoy a peaceful, restful break.
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Books to Help Teachers Relax & Unwind
These ten books will provide a restful escape after a busy school year. Whether you love romance, mystery thrillers, historical fiction, or more, there is something for everyone on this list.
Perfect for summer relaxation, these books help teachers relax and promise entertainment and reflection, making them ideal reads for teachers looking to recharge.
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza (Contemporary Fiction)
This story follows the lives of two friends, Jen and Riley – one white and one Black. Their relationship is tested after Jen’s police officer husband is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Riley is a journalist covering the case and begins to grapple with her loyalty to her friend and the impact of the tragedy on her community and career.
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle (Romance)
Daphne has always received slips of paper predicting exactly how long each of her relationships will last, until one day she meets Jake, and the slip has only his name. As she begins her relationship with Jake, Daphne must confront her beliefs about love, commitment, and fate.
Next Year in Havana (The Perez Family, #1) by Chanel Cleeton (Historical Fiction)
Marisol travels to Havana to fulfill her late grandmother’s wish and scatter her ashes. There, she uncovers hidden family secrets tied to the Cuban Revolution. As she learns more about her grandmother’s past, Marisol confronts the complexities of her family’s legacy.
Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score (Romance)
House renovator Maggie is ready to restore a Victorian mansion but is distracted by Silas, the flirtatious, laid-back landscaper. As their relationship grows, Maggie struggles to balance her career-focused life with the unexpected emotions Silas stirs.
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell (Mystery Thriller)
Alix is a podcaster who becomes intertwined in a chilling story when she meets Josie, a woman who seems to be hiding dark secrets. Alix becomes obsessed with Josie’s mysterious life and begins creating a podcast about her, unknowingly becoming the subject of a terrifying true crime story.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (Historical Fiction)
Cussy is the last living female descendant of the rare Blue People of Kentucky. The story follows her as she becomes a librarian in the 1930s and delivers books to the isolated communities of Eastern Kentucky.
Mistakes We Never Made by Hannah Brown (Romance)
Former rivals Emma and Finn are unexpectedly thrown together on a road trip to find a runaway bride, rekindling old feelings from a near romance that ended in heartbreak years ago. In time, the two discover that love may be worth another chance.
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren (Romance)
Anna and Liam are former college sweethearts who reunite under fake pretenses to convince West’s family that they’re still happily married in order to secure a massive inheritance. As they navigate their scheme, old feelings resurface.
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune (Romance)
Lucy returns to Prince Edward Island for her annual escape, determined to resist the chemistry between her and Felix, her best friend’s younger brother. Will she find herself falling for Felix all over again?
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Romance)
Emma’s life is upended when her husband is presumed dead in a helicopter crash, and she moves back home to rebuild. Years later, as she begins to fall for her old friend Sam, Jesse is unexpectedly found alive.
Looking for another way to relax? Try a puzzle!
Books are fantastic for helping teachers relax—as you may already know, I love books—but have you tried puzzles?
Puzzles are perfect for teachers who want to enjoy quiet, screen-free time over the summer or even on weekends when they want to unplug. They allow you to step away from the busyness of everyday life and focus on the satisfying task of putting something together piece by piece.
Plus, the sense of accomplishment you get when you complete a puzzle is incredibly rewarding – just what teachers need after a demanding school year.
So, grab one of the puzzle recommendations below, find a comfortable spot, and let the calming rhythm of this timeless activity help you recharge.
If you love to read, you can pick up an audiobook to listen to while you put your puzzle together—the two activities complement each other nicely.
500-Piece Puzzles
Cats dressed as bookish characters from your favourite classic novels with fun cat-themed alternative names, like Anna Purrenina and Alice’s Adventures in Whiskerland.
Cats dressed as popular music stars with fun names like Freddy Purrcury and Tuna Turner.
In a beautifully illustrated design, this puzzle features doodles of various mixed-breed dogs, like Bernedoodles and Pugapoos.
If you love plants, you’ll love this puzzle! It features different types of colourful plants that are beautifully illustrated.
1000-Piece Puzzles
Perfect for cat lovers, this artfully designed puzzle features 23 cat breeds, each representing a letter of the alphabet.
This colourful puzzle has 26 dog breeds representing a letter of the alphabet. Perfect if you love dogs!
Explore ocean life with this colourful puzzle featuring images of life under the sea.
If you love plants and books about plants, this puzzle features a fun shelfie featuring both in a beautifully illustrated design.
Fun 1000-Piece Literary-Themed Puzzles
The World of Shakespeare Puzzle
Explore the world of Shakespeare through this literary puzzle with famous characters from his works. It also includes a poster with facts about the famous author. You can also explore the world of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and more.
50 Must-Reads Book Bucket List Puzzle
If you’re looking for a list of 50 must-read books to pair with your audiobook, try this book bucket list puzzle, which features a colourful, bookish illustration.
Relaxing Ideas
After the demands of the school year, taking time to be present, calm, and intentional can offer a powerful mental recharge—and it doesn’t require much time.
Here are some easy and relaxing techniques to help teachers restore their energy over the summer:
- Start each day with five minutes of deep, mindful breathing. Focus on slow inhales and exhales to calm your mind before your day begins.
- Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and imagine a calming scene like a beach, cabin, or forest – any place that usually relaxes you. Picture the scene in detail.
- Take a walk outdoors and focus on each step, the feeling of the ground under your feet, and the sights and sounds around you.
- Each day, pause to think about three things you’re grateful for, big or small. Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to reflect and relax.
- Reflect on the highlights of your day, noting moments that made you feel happy or relaxed. This can be a great habit to develop before the start of the school year. Continue it throughout the school year to remember the best things that happened in your day.
- You can also read this blog post, Important Teacher Mental Health Strategies, to help improve your mental health.
- Read about Teacher Self-Care Tips.
- You can also print out this Teacher Self-Care Challenge and work on one task a week during the summer.
This summer, make sure you take the time to unwind and prioritize yourself. Whether reading a book, completing a puzzle, or moments of relaxation, each activity offers a meaningful way to recharge before the school year begins.
Remember, taking time for yourself isn’t just a summer luxury – it’s essential for your well-being throughout the year. As you dive into these books to help teachers relax and do other activities that bring you joy, embrace the moments of calm they bring, and carry the self-care habit with you into the next school year.
More books to help teachers relax:
Check out this Best Middle School Book Recommendations blog post for great middle school books. Also, check out some fantastic young adult books in this blog post, High School Book Recommendations.
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