Once More Unto The Breach: 20 Books of Summer 2022
It’s decision time once more: do i want to sign up for #20booksofsummer ? Created by Cathy at 746Books.com the idea is to read 20 books between 1 June and 1 September. I’ve attempted this project six times but never reaching that magical figure of 20. Last year was my best effort with 18 books read (though not all of these were on my original reading list).
Even with the benefit of Cathy’s flexible “rules”, I doubt I’ll get anywhere near that same level this year (too many other things needing my attention right now). But I don’t want to miss out so I’m going for the entry level option of 10 books.
Coming up with the list is the best part of #20booksofsummer. I know from previous years that it’s a good strategy to have plenty of choice of titles to allow for changes in mood. Hence why I have 15 titles on my list.
This year’s list is designed to take me on a reading tour around the world. Since a summer holiday looks unlikely I shall let my books do the travelling. It should be a very relaxing experience: no nail-biting waits for passports; no long queues at check in and I will not be required to remove shoes, belts or jackets while moving from one reading nook to another.
Of course every journey has to start from home so I’m choosing a novel set in Wales as my first book. I may read the other books in some kind of geographic order or I might criss cross oceans and time zones.
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye ….
Australia: Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton — did not finish. Replaced by This Mortal Boy by Fiona Kidman (New Zealand)
Brazil: I Didn’t Talk by Beatriz Bracher — did not finish
England: A Perfectly Good Man by Patrick Gale — read
Germany: The Vanishing Sky by Annette Binder
France: Revenge Of The Translator by Brice Matthiessent — did not finish. Replaced by Maigret Goes To School by Georges Simenon (Belgium)
Ireland: The Rising Tide by Molly Keane — read
Israel: About The Night by Abat Talshir
Japan: A Man by Keiichiro Hirano
New Zealand: The New Ships by Kate Duigan — read
Nigeria: Dele Weds Destiny by Tomi Obaro — read
Poland: Chasing The King Of Hearts by Hanna Krall — read
Scotland: The Cone Gatherers by Robin Jenkins — read
Uganda: Kololo Hill by Neema Shah — read
Wales: The Hiding Place by Trezza Azzopardi — read
Zimbabwe: The Book Of Memory by Pettina Gappah — read
Pingback: Books of Summer 2023: Random Choices From The Shelves : BookerTalk
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Wow, I’m impressed that you got books from so many countries! The cover of The Cone Gatherers tells me that it is either a dark humor or harrowing book. Don’t you love how Cathy’s challenge has almost no rules and yet everyone follows along and emphasizes there are no rules? There is some fun psychology at work in Cathy’s challenge, and I wish I knew more about it myself.
I love the travel theme! Enjoy your summer reading and good luck with your list.
This is one way to clock up the air miles while keeping a low carbon footprint. I think I should get brownie points for my eco credentials don’t you??
What a great theme for your books of summer list. I had to look up Patrick Gale. He sounds like a very interesting writer. I will check into of the authors on this list, and I hope to see reviews on some of these books.
I’ve read only one other book by him – Notes from an Exhibition – it was so good I immediately bought two other novels by him
Great list! I didn’t know that Brice Matthieussent had written a book. He translates books from the English.
I think I saw a reference to his translation work and thus how this book comes across as so authentic
An impressive list – good luck!!
If I read only half of them I’ll be pleased….
I’ve only read Boy Swallows Universe from your list – it was not my usual kind of book but I absolutely loved it (does require the reader to give themselves over to the narrative).
Ok, thanks for the “warning” – I’ll have to remember that it’s probably not the kind of book to read late at night when I’m tired
A relaxing and imaginative travel plan, look forward to following your peregrinations – bon voyage!
Far more relaxing than real travel, especially these days where nearly every day seems to bring a news story about long queues at airports or cancelled trains
Touring the world through books sounds like a great theme for your summer reading. I haven’t read any of those, but I hope you enjoy them all!
Thanks Helen, this form of travel is very eco friendly as well as cheap!
Enjoy this great international list!
Have you read any of these??
There’s quite a few I fancy here, Karen – doubt I’d manage the twenty though! Good luck & enjoy your travels.
I did manage to get to 18 last year but only because I had a few novellas in the mix. If they’d all been standard length novels I’d never have done it.
Happy Reading!
Thanks Davida, I hope it does prove to be a happy experience though I suspect some of the books are a little on the dark side
Well, that happens… As long as there are a couple lighter ones to keep it getting too dark.
Ooh, what a lovely idea! I am trying for the 20 again – sometimes I manage, sometimes I don’t – but I can’t make my list till I know what is actually on my TBR next, as that’s how I do it. With some wiggles. And swaps allowed!
Happy wiggling! When I first did 20booksofsummer I got frustrated that I didn’t get to the 20 but as the years have gone by I’ve learned to be more relaxed. It’s meant to be fun isn’t it!
I love the travel aspect of this list and you can never go wrong with Molly Keane! Thanks for joining in again and best of luck x
I thought you’d like the Molly Keane listing 🙂
Very much enjoyed The Book of Memory but lots of the rest are new to me. Looking forward to seeing what you think of them. Enjoy your travels, Karen!
If only I could get air miles for all this virtual travel
Bon Voyage! What an exciting sounding world tour. I have no desire to jet set off anywhere soon, so this sounds like a great alternative.
Happy to have you along as a fellow passenger Rosie.
Well, you’ve got some interesting books there including the Azzopardi!
Your review of Azzopardi was the incentive to add it to the list.
Enjoy! 🙌
Thanks Carol, with the turmoil affecting travel from the UK right now I think this is the least stressful way I can think of to travel