Summer means long days, warm nights, and for many of us, a little more time to slow down and finally start that book we've been meaning to read. But while the season brings relaxation, it also comes with a risk- especially for younger readers.

Educators call it the "Summer Slide"- a seasonal dip in reading and learning that can widen achievement gaps and slow momentum for students once the Fall rolls around. But it's not just kids who need to stay engaged. Reading is one of the few habits that supports cognitive development, language skills and critical thinking across all age groups.

Whether you're engaged in a captivating beachy novel, discovering new authors at your local bookstore, or revisiting classics at public libraries, reading can be a vital and enriching part of the season.

Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll talk to local bibliophiles about their favorite books of the summer, and how reading continues to shape their lives in meaningful ways.

Guests:
- Karen Long, Former Book Editor, The Plain Dealer
- Kate Schlademan, Owner, The Learned Owl Book Shop
- Manuel Chinchilla, Owner, Hexagon Books
- Kortney Morrow, Program Director, Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards