I will be taking part in the 20 Books of Summer Challenge for the 6th year. I have not always been successful, but this is one of my favourite and easiest challenges. For those of you that are new to the challenge it runs from 1st June – 1st September and is hosted by the lovely Cathy746books (please click the link for the rules and sign up info).
The nice thing about this challenge is that you can customize it. You can select 10, 15 or 20 books for this challenge, and you can change up the books as the challenge goes on. You can choose any books or themes you choose. Sounds pretty simple, but we shall see.
I am going with 20 Books. I always try to read Summery or Beach reads for this challenge and try to pick some off my backlist. I have prepared a spreadsheet of over 60 books that would fit my criteria of Summery/Beach Reads or have the word “Summer” in the title. I am going to try and read or listen to 10 backlist books (on my TBR and published prior to September 2022) and ten more recent releases.
My only problem will be that I always do Christmas in July, which takes a big chunk of time. I try not to include those books on my list, I want these to be summery reads. I will start right on June 1st with the hope of reading or listening to ten that month, and ten in August. Fingers crossed. 🤞🤞
Here are the books on my list, at this time. I try not to change them, but if something else summery calls my name, then I might make a change.
Ten Backlist Books:
- The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel: published 2016-07-26 – Audiobook (Hoopla)
- Curves, Kisses and Chocolate Ice Cream by Sue Watson: published 2017-06-22 – Audiobook (Scribd)
- Sourdough by Robin Sloan (also a 12 Friends, 12 Books recommendation): published 2017-08-04 – Audiobook (Scribd)
- Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop by Rebecca Raisin: published 2019-03-04 – Audiobook (Scribd)
- A Perfect Cornish Summer by Phillipa Ashely: published 2019-04-25 – Audiobook (Scribd)
- A Summer To Remember by Sue Moorcroft: published 2019-05-02 – Audiobook (Scribd)
- A Summer of Surprises by Judith Keim: published 2020-06-23 – Audiobook (Scribd)
- The Inn at Summer Island by Rachel Magee: published 2020-08-23 – Audiobook (Hoopla)
- The House at Magpie Cove by Kennedy Kerr: published 2020-11-03
- A Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas: published 2021-05-07 – Audiobook (Hoopla)
Newer Releases:
- The Little Flower Shop by Lori Foster: published 2023-05-09 – Audiobook (Hoopla)
- Coming Home to the Highlands by Lisa Hobman: published 2023-04-04 – Audiobook (Hoopla)
- Meet Me at the Lake by Carly Fortune: published 2023-05-02 (Read 2023-06-05)
- The Island Villa by Sarah Morgan: published 2023-05-02 – Audiobook (Hoopla)
- The Bookshop by The Bay by Pam Kelley: published 2023-06-06 – Audiobook (NG)
- The Sweetheart List by Jill Shalvis: published 2023-06-13 – Audiobook (NG)
- Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman: published 2023-06-13
- Hello Stranger by Katherine Center: published 2023-07-11 – Audiobook (NG)
- The Diary From the Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr: published 2023-06-28
- The Happiness Plan by Susan Mallery: published 2023-06-20
There are a few more that I might be able to fit in as well:
- Mermaid Beach by Sheila Roberts – read 2023-06-02
- Beginning of Forever by Catherine Bybee
- Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale
- We Are Family by Beth Moran
- Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson – Audiobook (NG)
- The Magic of Sea Glass by Jenny Hale – Audiobook (NG)
- A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please – Audiobook (Hoopla)
- The Scottish Ladies Detective Agency by Lydia Travers – Audiobook (NG)
- On Fire Island by Jane L. Rosen
- Hidden Beneath by Barbara Ross
- Front Porch Club by Michelle Major – Audiobook (Hoopla)
- The Summer Daughter by Colleen French – Audiobook (Hoopla)
- The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader – Audiobook (Hoopla)
- Sweet Pea Summer by Alys Murray – read 2023-06-04
- Happy Place by Emily Henry – read 2023-06-09
I have ebooks or physical books of all of these, but if I can find audiobooks, I will probably do a read/listen instead.
Will you be joining the challenge?
June 3, 2023 at 9:41 pm
Way to go, Carla!
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June 3, 2023 at 10:12 pm
Thanks, Jennie.
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June 4, 2023 at 6:56 am
You’re welcome.
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May 31, 2023 at 1:30 pm
I liked the way you organized this! I am joining this challenge as well.
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June 1, 2023 at 9:17 am
I hope we both enjoy whatever we actually pick up to read, Cindy.
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May 21, 2023 at 3:32 pm
These all look so enticing Carla. I think I need a few summer reads as an antidote to the dismal weather we’re having. ⛈🌧🌧🌧🌧⛈❤📚🤗
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May 21, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Yes, you are in the midst of fall almost winter, aren’t you? Yes, summery reads would definitely help. 🌞🌞📚
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May 17, 2023 at 5:15 pm
Good luck with the challenge! The Summer That Melted Everything is one of my all time favorites.
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May 17, 2023 at 9:33 pm
You are the second person to praise The Summer That Melted Everything, so I am really looking forward to it now. Thanks, Yvo.
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May 17, 2023 at 4:40 pm
The only one I’ve read is The Little Flower Shop and I want to read all of your newer ones……oh who am I kidding Carla! I want to read them all!🤦♀️🤷😂📚💜
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May 17, 2023 at 9:31 pm
You might have some of the older ones, who knows. I am looking forward to knocking 10 off my backlist. 📚💞
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May 17, 2023 at 11:40 am
Oooh, a great reminder that I need to participate again this year! I hope you enjoy Hello Stranger and Meet Me at the Lake. They weren’t my favorites by the authors but I did enjoy them. Good luck, Carla!
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May 17, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Thanks Dedra. I can’t wait to see what you choose to read for this challenge. I just got the audiobook for Meet Me at the Lake, so that will be one of my first to listen to, if I can wait. I might have to swap it out if I finish it before June 1st.
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May 16, 2023 at 7:20 pm
What???? You ONLY had 60 books on your spreadsheet that fit the criteria?😱🤣 Just giving you a hard time, Carla.😉 Actually, if you can knock out 10 books from your backlist in addition to 10 current ones, that would be awesome. They look like fun, light reads–perfect for summer by the pool!
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May 16, 2023 at 9:01 pm
Actually, once I got to 60, I stopped adding them. 😂😂 That is what I am hoping, Linda. Lots of poolside reading. 🌞📚
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May 16, 2023 at 12:52 pm
This seems like a fun challenge and I know you will knock it out of the park.
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May 16, 2023 at 2:21 pm
Thanks Deanna. It helps me knock off some of those backlist books. I hope I can read them all.
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May 16, 2023 at 8:31 am
What lovely Summer reads Carla. I was puzzled by the Sarah Morgan as I didn’t think I had missed a new release. Then I realised that it’s got a different title and cover in the UK. Nothing like trying to confuse people!!
Good Luck with reading these.
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May 16, 2023 at 8:47 am
Thanks Janette. I hate when they do that with covers and titles.
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May 16, 2023 at 5:59 am
Thanks for taking part again Carla, I love how summery your choices look! Good luck x
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May 16, 2023 at 7:51 am
Thanks Cathy. I hope to knock off those backlist books.
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May 16, 2023 at 12:38 am
I always love to see your books for this challenge. I like the idea of the spreadsheet with the word summer in it.
I am joining too, if you want to check my list out.
http://hobbiesandeverythinginbetween.blogspot.com/2023/05/20-books-of-summer.html
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May 15, 2023 at 10:26 pm
If anyone can do this you can Carla! I love that we have several books in common! I look forward to adding some Christmas reads from your stack too!
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May 16, 2023 at 7:38 am
Thanks, Jodie. I hope I can entice you with some when I put together that list.
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May 15, 2023 at 9:16 pm
I plan to participate as well. Good assortment of books – many by fav. authors. Happy summer reading!
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May 15, 2023 at 9:22 pm
Thanks, Bev. I will watch for your list.
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May 15, 2023 at 4:26 pm
A lovely selection of books! It’s such a great challenge, good luck Carla x
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May 15, 2023 at 5:23 pm
Thanks Rae, it should be fun.
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May 15, 2023 at 4:06 pm
Love Hello Stranger. It was a very sweet romance. I also liked The Summer That Melted Everything. It was creepy.
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May 15, 2023 at 4:10 pm
I have had the Summr That Melted Everything on my 20 Books of Summer list every year, but keep changing it. I am going to try and read it first this year.
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May 15, 2023 at 4:20 pm
I think you’ll like it. I read it as an ARC and loved it. The author was a sweetheart, too.
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May 15, 2023 at 4:22 pm
Good to know.
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May 15, 2023 at 3:43 pm
Hello Stranger is interesting and reminds me of a Lisa Genoa book. Sweetheart List is fun! Happy summer reading!
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May 15, 2023 at 4:18 pm
Thanks, Carol. I hope they are all fun and interesting.
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May 15, 2023 at 3:33 pm
Good luck Carla! I love this challenge as well, especially being able to change the books as I go.
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May 15, 2023 at 4:07 pm
I hope we both have fun with it this year, Nicki.
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May 15, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Ah enjoy and good luck 😁
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May 15, 2023 at 4:02 pm
Thanks, Sarah.
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May 15, 2023 at 2:29 pm
You can easily finish this challenge in a month. Meet me at the lake is also on my TBR.
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May 15, 2023 at 4:01 pm
I probably could, but 2 months should be comfortably doable
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