I haven’t done #20booksofsummer for the last couple of years, because I discovered I am not very good at sticking to a prescribed list that I have made myself. I soon begin to get distracted. The challenge runs from 3rd June to 3rd of September and is hosted again by Cathy at 746books
I should easily manage more than 20 books in that time, so I have made it a bit harder for myself by putting in some big books. I have stopped caring about how many books I am reading – I set a target in January on Goodreads – because I can – and the rest of the year have to put up with it telling me I am behind. I’ve decided I don’t care. Sometimes it’s glorious spending an entire week lost in one book, rather than racing through three.
So, for me #20booksofsummer is all about getting some of those books off the tbr bookcase – making some space (my tbr has crept onto the floor – that’s always a bad sign) and get some of those hardbacks and fatter books and review copies read. I have also included books for LT’s All Virago/All August month (Persephone are included) and a couple for #Womenintranslation month.
So, here’s the pile from top down:
Transcription by Kate Atkinson – my next read in fact as it’s been chosen by my book group.
A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore – for my women’s prize project which I started a while ago and have read absolutely nothing for.
The Harsh Voice by Rebecca West – four novellas.
The Reading Party by Fenella Gentleman – a review copy
Henry by Elizabeth Eliot
Leaven of Malice by Robertson Davies – for Lori’s Robertson Davies reading week (in July I think).
Murder in the Mill Race by E.C.R Lorac – review copy
Life in Translation by Anthony Ferner – review copy
The Caravaners by Elizabeth von Arnim
Full House by Molly Keane one of my favourite vmc authors
Tangerine by Christine Mangan one of those impulse buys
Farewell, my Orange by Iwaki Kei – review copy
Marie by Madeleine Bourdouxhe
Despised and Rejected by Rose Allatini
Hetty Dorval by Ethel Wilson
National Provincial by Lettice Cooper
The Stranger from the Sea by Paul Binding – review copy
Spring by Ali Smith –
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje – not sure why I haven’t read this yet.
Girl, woman, other by Bernardine Evaristo another impulse buy, never read this author before, heard such good things.
I am hoping I will have room for reading a few not on the pile – some more in translation perhaps, or more vmcs and review books. I may also swap some titles if I feel I am getting bogged down.
Have a wonderful summer of reading everyone, whether you are joining in with #20booksofsummer or not.
heavenali 
Gosh, I haven’t read any of these. Have read and loved some other Molly Keanes though. And I love the way Tangerine is followed by Orange.
I know what you mean about feeling pressurised by lists, though I used to feel far more pressurised, and oppressed, by ‘real’ book groups, who always seemed to choose a book I didn’t really want to read. I know these things are supposed to broaden one’s horizons, but I find online groups and blogs much more interesting, and because I can simply not read the book(s) if i don’t want to or don’t have time, I find I actually read much more. It’s also a great relief to me not to have to tidy up and provide refreshments!
I am having so much more of a good reading year in 2019 through following things like #projectnames and your Daphne Du Maurier week. As my son has told me (apropos of something else…) ‘you need structure, mother’ (!)
Looking forward to your comments on all of these books.
Ha I didn’t purposely put Tangerine and orange together. I hope this list inspires rather than pressurises me, we’ll see.
So glad you are joining in Ali! Always good to see a Molly Keane on the list. I enjoyed A Spell of Winter and am keen to hear what you think of Tangerine. Happy reading x
Glad you enjoyed A Spell of Winter it’s a while since I read Helen Dunmore.
That’s a great list and you have made me think again about the benefits of this challenge! I’m the wrong side of the ‘one in one out’ book balance at the moment, so it could be the perfect way to get back in line.
I must try to get some balance back to my shelves.
I recognise a couple from my own TBR pile – The Reading Party and Transcription. I’ve just finished Warlight and really enjoyed it although there were a couple of elements that made it just short of five stars for me. I’ll be writing my review soon but will look forward to swapping notes (without fear of spoilers) once you’ve read it.
Ooh intruiging, looking forward to your thoughts about Warlight. I’ve been meaning to read it for ages.
Some lovely choices Ali. I totally agree that there’s no point in racing through books for the sake of it. Ignore Goodreads! I’m trying to get the TBR down because its in ridiculous proportions but I’m not setting a target because I’m bound to fail. Happy reading with your 20 Books of Summer 🙂
Well I might fail at sticking to my list, we’ll see. I hope you enjoy your summer reading too.
Happy reading!
Thank you.
What a fab selection of books, Ali! I’ll be so interested to see what you make of the West! And some real chunky ones there, which will be great for the summer hols. I could easily do this challenge in that I will definitely read 20 books during the period – the problem I would have is sticking to my list! :DD
Thank you, yes the chunky ones will be good for the summer hols. Sticking to my list is the greatest challenge.
Good luck! Lovely to see some Persephone titles amongst your choices!
I do love Persephone, thank you.
Hurrah for Robertson Davies – the Reading Week will be at the end of August as I decided anything before then was too crazy with my move. Plus it’s his birthday. So by the end of summer I hope you can get through much of your list!
Ah, end of August. Leaven of Malice might well be my last read for #20booksofsummer.
Great choice of books – I love the variety. I’ve been meaning to read something by Kate Atkinson for a while now, she’s such a well-loved author.
Happy Reading!
I’m joining in too – https://onemoreword.uk/2019/06/02/20-books-of-summer-2019-20booksofsummer-amreading-books-summer/
Thank you, the best of luck with your #20booksofsummer. Kate Atkinson has lots of fans, though it’s a while since I read her.
That looks like a great selection of books. I’m hoping to read Transcription and Warlight soon too, although I didn’t include them on my 20 Books of Summer list as I decided to concentrate on getting through my review copies instead. Enjoy your summer reading!
Getting through your review copies sounds like an excellent idea. Enjoy your reading.
I’m keen to read The Evaristo. Really enjoyed Mr Loverman. It’s good to see Robertson Davies’ name popping up on blogs. I have fond memories of reading his trilogies. Good luck, Ali!
I’ve only read one Robertson Davies before, but really enjoyed it so I’m looking forward to reading Leaven of Malice.
Looking forward to seeing what you think of Tangerine – a book I have picked up many times but hesitated about buying – still wondering whether I made a mistake.
I was drawn to Tangerine by the setting and period of the story. I just hope it’s not too thrillery for me.
I do enjoy browsing these lists even though I lack the necessary discipline to stick to one myself! Marie is an interesting one, more hopeful/optimistic than La Femme de Giles in various respects. I’m rather curious to see what you think of it.
So glad to hear that Marie is more hopeful than La Femme de Giles.
That’s a super pile and yay Robertson Davies!
I’m looking forward to that one, I hope you will be able to join in with that reading week too.
That’s a lovely looking pile of books. Hetty Dorval was one of my first Persephone books ans I remember being very taken with it, and I have National Provincial lines up to read next and it looks very promising.
I probably won’t get to National Provincial yet, so I look forward to hearing what you think of it.
I’m not sure why I haven’t read Warlight yet, either. But it won’t be this summer because I haven’t included it on my list and given all the other books I’m going to have to get through it will have to wait. Maybe I should start compiling next year’s list now!
Yes I probably should too. 😁 Good luck with your list.
Thank you Ali – Happy summer reading to you too and good luck with sticking to your list 🙂
Thank you, fingers crossed.
[…] As far as my June reading goes, it was a little below par, three of the books I read were rather underwhelming – although I have managed to read nine books and eight of them were for my #20booksofsummer. […]