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