20? 15? 10? books of summer 2019

It’s officially summer in the northern hemisphere so time once again for the 20 Books of Summer challenge hosted by Cathy of 746books.com. I’ve never yet managed to complete this challenge despite Cathy’s ultra flexibility with the “rules’. I suspect 2019 will be no different so there’s no point in going the whole hog with a list…

BookerTalk
1–2 minutes

It’s officially summer in the northern hemisphere so time once again for the 20 Books of Summer challenge hosted by Cathy of 746books.com.

15 books of summerI’ve never yet managed to complete this challenge despite Cathy’s ultra flexibility with the “rules’. I suspect 2019 will be no different so there’s no point in going the whole hog with a list of 20 books. I’m going for the option of 15 books of summer and if I manage to read even 10 of them I’ll be dead chuffed.

Half of the fun of this challenge is putting together the list of books to read.  Since I’m not likely to be taking a summer holiday I shall use my reading to do my travelling for me. I’ve chosen 15 titles that will take me to different parts of the world.  Of course every journey has to start from home so the first book on my list comes from Wales. I may read the books the order below, travelling through Europe, crossing the Atlantic and then making my way east before dropping down to the southern hemisphere where by  September 3, when  this challenge finishes , it will be Spring…

So, my suitcase is packed. The tickets have arrived. My passport is up to date.  My journey begins on June 3.

Wales: Ghostbird by Carol Lovekin

France: Hotel Tito by  Ivana Simić Bodrožić.

Austria: A Whole Life by Robert Seethaler

Germany: Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada

Finland: The Midwife by Katja Kettu

Canada: One of Louise Penny’s detective novels  – not sure which yet

USA: Breakfast at Tiffanys by Truman Capote

Jamaica: The Long Song by Andrea Levy

South Africa: A Dry White Season by Andre Brink

India: A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

Indonesia: Twilight in Djakarta by Mochtar Lubis

Malaysia: Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

China: Frog by Mo Yan

Australia: Shell by Kristina Olsson

New Zealand: Ships by Fiona Duigan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73 responses to “20? 15? 10? books of summer 2019”

  1. Reading horizons: Episode 22 : BookerTalk

    […] Mistry’s A Fine Balance was on my #15booksofsummer reading list but I ran out of time. It was going to go back into the bookcase but so many other […]

    Reply
  2. Complex World of Party Animal Holly Golightly [Review] : BookerTalk

    […] read this as part of my #15booksofsummer reading project and my Classics Club […]

    Reply
  3. Reading horizons WWW Wednesday, July 2019 : BookerTalk

    […] Cruelest Month by Louise Penny is book number 5 on my 15booksofsummer list which is a virtual ‘holiday’ around the world. So far I’ve visited Wales […]

    Reply
  4. therulebook Avatar
    therulebook

    Selecting books from across countries – a very interesting idea!

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      It’s so enjoyable to read from a perspective that isn’t only UK/USA centered

      Reply
  5. Courage and hope in the midst of war: The Hotel Tito [review] : BookerTalk

    […] for the fact it was chosen by Asymptote for their book club in November 2018.  Including it in my #15booksofsummer list meant I could read my first ever Croatian author. Another country that I’ve now covered […]

    Reply
  6. Myth and magic in darkest Wales [Review] : BookerTalk

    […] made that disclosure you are probably now puzzled why my #20BooksofSummer reading list includes a book with one of my dreaded words in the title. Sounds contradictory doesn’t it, […]

    Reply
  7. Alert: An Oddball In the Office [review] : BookerTalk

    […] It’s on my 15booksofsummer reading list for 2019 […]

    Reply
  8. WWWednesday: June 19, 2019 | BookerTalk

    […] been making great progress with my list for 20booksofsummer (or in my case 15booksofsummer) which is taking me on a virtual holiday around the […]

    Reply
  9. My #20BooksOfSummer 2019 | Nut Press

    […] the weekend trying to decide if I was going to choose a theme or not. For example, Karen over at BookerTalk is vicariously travelling around the world through her choices, which is a brilliant way to make […]

    Reply
  10. Carol Lovekin Avatar
    Carol Lovekin

    Thank you for choosing Ghostbird!

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I’ve been meaning to read it for so long Carol, I bought it when Honno did a pop up bookshop in Cardiff a few years ago

      Reply
  11. Inside my TBR: the good, the bad and the downright ugly | BookerTalk

    […] put 15 titles from my TBR onto the list for 20BooksofSummer so that’s going to be my focus for the next few months. I’d also like to get to these […]

    Reply
  12. cleopatralovesbooks Avatar
    cleopatralovesbooks

    What a brilliant way to organise your list – enjoy your travels!

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I discovered today the book I had put down for France is actually by an author from Croatia. Oh well, thats a country I’ve wanted to visit for a long time so no harm done

      Reply
      1. cleopatralovesbooks Avatar
        cleopatralovesbooks

        Haha that’s the sort of thing I’d do

        Reply
  13. Jules_Writes Avatar
    Jules_Writes

    I loved putting my list together too, but I don’t think I was as creative as you!
    Happy Reading!

    I’m joining in too – https://onemoreword.uk/2019/06/02/20-books-of-summer-2019-20booksofsummer-amreading-books-summer/

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Just popped over to your blog to see what you’ve listed…

      Reply
  14. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Interesting take on the challenge! I love the idea of hopping across countries. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my favorites by Capote – the writing’s so sharp.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I shall look forward to it then Michael

      Reply
  15. priscilla Avatar
    priscilla

    What a fun idea! I loved A Fine Balance, and Louise Penny’s series is always comforting and fun. Good luck with the challenge…or should I say, bon voyage?! 😉

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I really enjoyed putting the list together and imagining all the places I could go

      Reply
  16. jessicabookworm Avatar
    jessicabookworm

    All the best with your list, Karen and happy summer reading/travelling 😀

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Thanks Jessica. At least in this form of travel you don’t have to queue at airports or do tonnes of laundry on the return

      Reply
      1. jessicabookworm Avatar
        jessicabookworm

        Yes! And you can do it in your pyjamas whilst drinking tea 🙂

        Reply
  17. Ayunda Avatar
    Ayunda

    This is so exciting! Best of luck. I’m Indonesian but never read Mochtar Lubis oops hahaha! Hope you enjoy it. Yangsze Choo is also really high in my TBR.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I only came across him because I was looking for an author specifically from Indonesia

      Reply
  18. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    What a great list! I’m having lots of fun playing with my list. Louise Penny and A Whole Life are definites already. Just the last few that keep changing. It would help if I knew how many I want to aim for!

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      You mean in terms of how many books? You can always change your mind part way through. I do enjoy the process of creating the list (more than reading the books sometimes….)

      Reply
  19. WWWednesday 22 May, 2019 | BookerTalk

    […] much more interested in the books I’ve listed for the 20 Books of Summer 2019 challenge. I’m aiming to read 15 between June 3 and September […]

    Reply
  20. Zoé O'Farrell Avatar
    Zoé O’Farrell

    What an amazing theme for your list! I took forever to choose my list! I have not heard of any of these books bar one. So quite excited to see what you think!

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Thanks Zoe, it was great fun putting the list together

      Reply
  21. FictionFan Avatar
    FictionFan

    What a great idea to go on a virtual trip – the best kind! You’ve got some great looking choices too. I loved Yangsze Choo’s Night Tiger, so would really like to read Ghost Bride sometime, and Alone in Berlin is hovering somewhere on my wishlist. I’m in the minority that didn’t love A Fine Balance, though – hope it works better for you. Enjoy your trip!

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Life would be dull if we all had the same reaction to a book – there’d be nothing much to talk about…

      Reply
  22. Naomi Avatar
    Naomi

    What a fun idea! It makes me want to go with you. I hope you enjoy your trip to Quebec! If I remember correctly, you’ve already read some Louise Penney, is that right?

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I have indeed read a few of her novels – i look for any excuse to return to Three Pines

      Reply
  23. Café Society Avatar
    Café Society

    I think the travel theme is a great idea. And , I am so jealous of your having A Fine Balance to read for the first time; it is one of the truly great books.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Now I’m excited – pity its so far down the list. Maybe I can alter my flight plan to get there quicker

      Reply
  24. Judy Krueger Avatar
    Judy Krueger

    Fun with lists! You made a great one. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a favorite of mine. I have always meant to read A Fine Balance. I own a copy. Perhaps I will join you.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I hadn’t realised Breakfast at Tiffany’s was a novella until I bought my copy.

      Reply
  25. Liz Dexter Avatar
    Liz Dexter

    What a good idea to use it to travel around the world! I haven’t made my Pile yet as I am mithering over whether to include review books or not – I’m thinking not, to make myself read other books, too, and I’m thinking print only so I can make a Lovely Pile!

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I’ve stuck to print versions too and all books that are already in the house so I can make some dent in the TBR and feel very smug when I see the gaps appearing

      Reply
  26. Col Avatar
    Col

    Like the idea so enjoy the journey. Most of your book/countries are new to me but I’ve read and liked Alone in Berlin and absolutely loved A Fine Balance ( make sure you put tissues next to your passport for that one!)

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Really – I had better make sure not to read it in public in that case

      Reply
  27. lauratfrey Avatar
    lauratfrey

    Ghost bride better be good, if either of us get to it!

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      It’s not a book that you see mentioned very often ….

      Reply
  28. lauratfrey Avatar
    lauratfrey

    Ghost Bride better be good- if either of us get to it! Have to say, I didn’t care for the Louise Penny book I tried, but I’m in the minority.

    Reply
  29. Brona Avatar
    Brona

    Love your journey approach to this year’s list Karen – I think my theme will have to be the slimmest books on my TBR pile 🙂

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I made sure to include some slim ones in my own list….

      Reply
  30. WordsAndPeace Avatar
    WordsAndPeace

    ooh, I need to look into this challenge, and at your titles. As for Louise Penny, they really need to be read in order, to get most of them – evolution of characters and relationships

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I think that’s true with the later L Penny novels. the first few can be read in isolation but once the scheming against Gamache gets underway you do need to go with the sequence

      Reply
  31. The Broken Spine Avatar
    The Broken Spine

    I love this idea! I’m in the process of putting my list together, so hopefully, I’ll have it nailed down in the next few days.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Looking forward to seeing what you end up with

      Reply
  32. Jean @ Howling Frog Avatar
    Jean @ Howling Frog

    What a great idea! I love your travel theme. I’ve got several countries too but I didn’t think of taking a ‘trip.’

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I decided to go for a theme to help me feel I’m making progress on one of my projects.

      Reply
  33. heavenali Avatar
    heavenali

    I loved Hotel Tito, my first book by a Croatian writer, and Ghost bird is lovely I think you will enjoy it. A fine Balance is just wonderful, an unforgettable book.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Have I got confused about Hotel Tito – I put it down for France but should it be Croatia?

      Reply
      1. heavenali Avatar
        heavenali

        It is set in Croatia at the time of the war, mainly in the area of Zagreb and a town outside it, but the narrator does take a short trip to Italy. Which ever country you assign it I think it’s a really good book. Hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
        1. BookerTalk Avatar
          BookerTalk

          thanks for the insight Ali

  34. hopewellslibraryoflife Avatar
    hopewellslibraryoflife

    Now I’ll have to research most of these! Good sound list.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Some of them are certainly not well known 🙂

      Reply
  35. Helen Avatar
    Helen

    What a great idea! I hope you enjoy your summer travels. I’ve read Alone in Berlin and will have to disagree with Edward – I loved it and didn’t want to put it down! The Long Song is good too, but I haven’t read any of your others.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I put this on my list after hearing a podcast Tea or Books discussion which was very much in favour of the book

      Reply
  36. kaggsysbookishramblings Avatar
    kaggsysbookishramblings

    Oooh, very globetrotting list – good luck! 😀

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I do like putting these lists together – it’s a great excuse to go looking through the TBR

      Reply
  37. A Life in Books Avatar
    A Life in Books

    I loved both A Whole Life and A Fine Balance. Enjoy your literary travels, Karen.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      I don’t know why it has taken me so long to get around to the Mistry. I do love Indian based fiction

      Reply
  38. Edward Colley Avatar
    Edward Colley

    Alone in Berlin will not offer very cheery holiday reading I’m afraid. It’s a dark tale set in Nazi Germany with, I found, a rather plodding narrative. The principal characters are not one bit engaging and thus it’s difficult to sympathise with their (obviously doomed) crusade.

    Reply
    1. kaggsysbookishramblings Avatar
      kaggsysbookishramblings

      Interested to hear that I wasn’t the only one who struggled with this. I found the narrative so hard to get into I actually abandoned the book, so I won’t rush to try again… 😉

      Reply
      1. BookerTalk Avatar
        BookerTalk

        I hear such mixed reactions to this book.

        Reply
    2. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Oh dear, that doesn’t fill me with confidence…

      Reply
  39. Cathy746books Avatar
    Cathy746books

    I love your travel theme Karen! You are in for a real treat with A Whole Life – it’s wonderful. Thanks so much for joining in.

    Reply
    1. BookerTalk Avatar
      BookerTalk

      Thanks to you for organising this event Cathy

      Reply

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