20 Books of Summer

May10

This is the first time that I’m participating in the 20 Books of Summer challenge hosted by Cathy at 746books.

I’ve chosen my summer reading to include books from the Four Books in a Row challenge, suggested by Rebecca at Bookish Beck, the Bookbloggers Challenge run by Lynne at Fictionophile, and to complete the What’s in a Name Challenge hosted by Andrea at the Carolina Book Nook, but I’ve divided it into months for my ease of reference.

You’ll see that my July reading has a definite theme that, in fact, spills over a bit into August. And bonus: I was able to get all of these books off my own shelves, or in my Kindle library, except for four titles. Two of those I’ve put inter-library loan requests in for, but whether the libraries will be open remains to be seen. The remaining two, I’ll just have to bite the bullet for, and buy ecopies. (Total about $15 Canadian). Not bad for a whole summer of reading!

JUNE

1. One Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
2. Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch
3. On Tour by Noel Streatfeild
4. The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
5. Sweet William by Beryl Bainbridge
6. Something for Everyone by Lisa Moore

JULY

7. We are All Birds of Uganda by Hafsa Zayyan
8. Birdie by Tracey Lindberg
9. The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
10. The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegnor
11. One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker
12. Birds of a Kind by Wajdi Mouawad
13. The Birds by Tarjei Vesaas
14. The Birds by Aristophanes

AUGUST

15. Birdcage Walk by Kate Riordan
16. Birdcage Walk by Helen Dunmore
17. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones
18. Hour Glass by Michelle René
19. Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey
20. Runaway by Alice Munro

I have one title held back that I reserve to swap in if one of these titles doesn’t work: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. My dad recommended Hiaasen to me. Don’t you just love that cover? Have you ever read anything by Hiaasen?

P.S. The book links are affiliate links so I will receive a small percentage of any purchase you make after clicking through from this blog.

#4BooksinaRow #20BooksofSummer21 #BB2021FRC #WhatsinaName

P.P.S. I’m still trying to master this block editor thing, so my spacing is a little-not-so-much-what-I’d-like. Please bear with me. Thanks!

posted under Book stuff

“20 Books of Summer”

1. On May 11th, 2021 at 8:42 am Cathy746books Says:

   Thanks for taking part – great list! I do love Helen Dunmore and Alice Munro. Good luck and happy reading!

2. On May 11th, 2021 at 11:08 am Debbie Says:

   Thanks for the welcome, Cathy – and for hosting!

3. On May 11th, 2021 at 3:14 pm Ti Says:

   The bird theme AND split up by month. Go, you!

4. On May 11th, 2021 at 3:38 pm Debbie Says:

   Lol, Ti. I’m nothing if not a planner.

5. On May 11th, 2021 at 7:27 pm Whispering Gums Says:

   absolutely love this: I was able to get all of these books off my own shelves, or in my Kindle library, except for four titles

   I would love to do this… One day in the distant future perhaps.

   You have good books on your shelves Debbie.

6. On May 12th, 2021 at 11:07 pm Debbie Says:

   I was quite proud of that, Sue, and I’m happy that you noticed and approve. 🙂

   My books have been through three severe culls in five years (because, you know, downsizing is a process) and what’s left should be worthwhile.

7. On May 12th, 2021 at 5:29 am Rebecca Foster Says:

   What fun! I love your birdy theme. The Good Lord Bird is a great one.

8. On May 12th, 2021 at 11:05 pm Debbie Says:

   I’m looking forward to that one, Rebecca. In fact, I’m quite excited by the whole flock of them!

9. On May 15th, 2021 at 11:48 am Ellie Warren Says:

   I’m loving all these themed lists I’m seeing, I wish I’d thought to do that! Hope you enjoy all your summer reading.

10. On May 15th, 2021 at 3:35 pm Debbie Says:

    I love to do a themed list once or twice a year, Ellie. I find it makes for a surprisingly wide variety of genres.

    Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

11. On May 18th, 2021 at 10:28 am Diane Says:

    What a great list – all the different “bird” titles stood out! enjoy Debbie. Hope you’ve been doing well.

12. On May 19th, 2021 at 11:55 am Debbie Says:

    Thanks, Diane. I’m quite pleased with all the birds. 🙂

13. On May 19th, 2021 at 2:11 am Laura Frey Says:

    Huh, I didn’t even know Lisa Moore has a new (ish) book out, I loved Caught! Birdie is so stunning, I’ve not read anything like it. Loving this list.

14. On May 19th, 2021 at 12:06 pm Debbie Says:

    Something for Everyone is a short story collection, Laura, and I think they don’t usually get the buzz that novels do.

    I meant to read Birdie the summer I read The Break but didn’t get to it. Maybe they’re related in my mind because they’re both Canadian women authors? Anyway – really looking forward to it.

    Thanks for dropping by Exurbanis.

15. On May 20th, 2021 at 9:56 am Deb Nance Says:

    I think it’s great fun to do a themed month (or months), and I love the idea of having a bird theme, since I’m currently obsessed with them.

    Good luck!

    I’m hoping to read twenty of my 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up.

16. On May 20th, 2021 at 11:39 am Debbie Says:

    Have fun with the Children’s books, Deb. I imagine there are some wonderful titles in that list!

17. On June 3rd, 2021 at 4:22 pm tracybham Says:

    The bird theme is wonderful. I am enjoying hummingbirds coming into my yard now that it is warmer. I am reading the Birdwatcher by William Shaw, my first book for 20 books of summer. It makes me want to read more books about birdwatching (fiction and nonfiction).

18. On June 3rd, 2021 at 5:18 pm Debbie Says:

    I’m so looking forward to this theme, Tracy. I read The Birdwatcher a couple of years ago and was generally disappointed. If you’re actually interested in the birdwatching, the “Birder” series starring Dominic JeJeune by Steve Burrows is much better.

19. On June 5th, 2021 at 3:48 pm Julia Tomiak Says:

    Wow! What a list! Some interesting titles here. I hope you enjoy. I have read Hiaasen, and I found his kids enjoyable and informative – a nice mix for kid lit.

20. On June 6th, 2021 at 4:45 pm Debbie Says:

    I didn’t know that Hiaasen wrote kid lit, Julia! is that what Hoot is?