20 Books of Summer

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This time, I plan to complete Cathy’s challenge: read 20 books from June 1, 2020 until September 1, 2020. It’s called 20 Books of Summer, and I can’t think of anything nicer to do during those hot months than sit with a book and a cool drink. Especially as I strongly suspect that Centennial Beach, my favorite swimming hole, will be closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

So, which 20 books from my shelves shall I read? We are allowed to change the titles, and even change the number (from 20, to 15, to 10), but I like to set a high goal and accomplish it. These titles are included in my list of twenty read before summer’s end. Surely, there will be time to do it.

  1. Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
  2. Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
  3. A Man by Keiichiro Hirano
  4. Shadow Garden the by Alexandra Burt
  5. The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Graham
  6. What The Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
  7. A Million Drops by Victor Del Árbol (for Spanish Lit Month)
  8. Weather by Jenny Offill
  9. Three Apples Fell From The Sky by Narine Abgaryan
  10. The Cathedral by the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones (also for Spanish Lit Month)
  11. The Death and Life of Bobby Z by Don Winslow
  12. The Gentlemen’s Hour by Don Winslow
  13. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
  14. Savages by Don Winslow
  15. Satori by Don Winslow
  16. Broken by Don Winslow
  17. The Vacation by T. M. Logan
  18. The Cave by José Saramago (also for Spanish Lit Month)
  19. Safe by S. K. Barnett
  20. Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McGammon
    (The Moment of Tenderness by Madeleine L’Engle)

There you have it, a nice blend of translated literature, thrillers, contemporary fiction, and what our library has of my new passion for Don Winslow.

What do you have planned for your summer reading?

33 thoughts on “20 Books of Summer”

    • It IS a lot of Don Winslow! Ever since I read The Force, and am now finishing The Power of the Dog trilogy, I cannot put him down! It has been a long time since I have been so enmeshed in an author’s work. I know what you mean about reading from a list: the minute you tell me I have to do something, is the minute I no longer want to. But, I thought this would be a good way to focus this summer, and I’ve long wanted to participate in Cathy’s event.

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  4. An exciting, rich list indeed! I have not heard of many of them so I will anticipate your reviews. I intend to finally get caught up on Neal Stephenson this year. I only have two to go: Reamde and Fall or Dodge in Hell. Just 2000 pages, ha ha. Then I might tackle Don Winslow!

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    • I have loved Neal Stephenson, but I haven’t read as much of him as you have, only Criptonomicon and Snow Crash. But, they were so fascinating! What an imagination he has. Fall is so thick, though, I almost wish I had bought it for my kindle as that would be easier to hold. And to think I never objected to holding Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand! Will you read Fall this summer?

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  5. I love that Wind in the Willows cover, which I had not seen. I laughed out loud, as the kids say.

    I will be reading books from the 1930s this summer, pretty much. Exactly which ones will depend on whether or not libraries reopen, but I have plenty to read, regardless.

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    • Isn’t that cover…hilarious? It contains none of the charm of a book I dearly love, and I much prefer the whimsical artistic characters which better portray the ones inside.

      I am not aware of many books from the 1930s, so it will be interesting to me to see what you choose. And, how wonderful to be independent of the libraries! Ours just arranged for curbside pick-up this week, which is lovely, but WHAT WERE THEY DOING THREE WEEKS AGO?! My rage against our local library continues largely unabated…

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  6. “Breasts and Eggs” immediately caught my attention when I saw the comment by Murakami on the cover. Hope you have a great reading summer, and do stay safe!

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    • Well, he is not like P.D. James as you have been enjoying. If you pick up any of his books be prepared for violence in the extreme, along with an eye-opening read as to the perils of this world: poverty, drugs, abuse. Along with a hero here and there.

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  9. A lovely selection, the covers look great together. I have a Plan but won’t finalise the Pile until 31 May, especially as I want to get a few read first and that will have an impact on what’s on the Pile!

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  10. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the Robert McCammon book. I keep meaning to re-read Boy’s Life, which I enjoyed quite well. I love Swan Song, but doubt I’ll ever get back to that one.

    I hope you have a lovely summer, Meredith! Stay well. xoxo

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    • Wasn’t Boys’ Life wonderful?! I loved it, although it’s been decades since I read it last. I believe Blackbird Speaks is before Swan Song, but perhaps it doesn’t matter if they are read in order. They are such hefty books, I wonder how it would be feasible to return for a reread, but I am so glad to know you like Robert McCammon, too.

      I love the pictures I see from time to time on your feed when I enter Instagram. I try not to go there often, somehow facebook and Instagram trouble my spirit, but not with specific feeds like yours which show Little Whale Cove and other glorious scenes. Be well, too, my friend.

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  11. M, I love the idea of 20 Books of Summer, but I know me – if I make a list of books to read for the summer I won’t read them 🙂 I have a TBR list, but its more of a list of books that I want to buy. I’m not sure what I will read this summer. I suppose whatever catches my fancy. I do have some of the books on your list on my TBR list – can’t go wrong with Japanese Literature 🙂 Enjoy the Don Winslow – seems like you are on a kick. Hope you and your family are well. Take care and stay safe!! xx

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    • There is something about making a list which turns it into a job; not sure what that’s called, but I experience it, too. I love how you appreciate Japanese literature as I do, and there are some titles I’m really looking forward to pictured in this post. Hope you are well, too, dear Nadia. There is surely lots to journal about these days, isn’t there? xo

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  12. I really enjoyed Convenience Store Woman so I’m very curious to read Earthlings. You’ve got a great list of books here so I think you’re going to be enjoying your summer!

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    • I’m looking forward to Earthlings, too, as I so enjoyed Convenience Store Woman. Although Earthlings seems like a different kind of book altogether! I wonder how she handles a “coming of age” theme…

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    • Well, it is a bit heavy on Don Winslow (which even now I am reconsidering, as there’s so much out there to read,) but, I do like a variety of genres. I hope your summer reading is satisfying in every way! So glad you come and comment with such sweet words.

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  15. I see you’re about to become a Don Winslow fan (if you’re not already!)
    One of my colleagues has been RAVING about Breasts and Eggs, so I hope you love it too 🙂

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