Wow, as the year zooms by, I can’t believe it’s almost summer! That means it’s time for the tenth annual 20 Books of Summer challenge. This is the 7th year I have participated and I’m looking forward to dipping into some summery reads. 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 Cathy@746books (please click the link for the rules/guidelines 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. This year, I have selected 10 backlist books, and 10 published in 2024. Here is my list as of now. I try not to change them, but if something summery calls my name, then I will make a change.

10 Backlist Books (prior to Sept. 1, 2023)

  1. A Road Trip to Remember by Judith Keim
  2. The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar
  3. The Little Island Secret by Emma Davies
  4. A Home in the Sun by Sue Moorcroft
  5. The Do-Over by Bethany Turner
  6. The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove by Jamie Admans
  7. Pride & Pina Coladas by Melanie Summers
  8. Death of a Clam Digger by Lee Hollis
  9. A Summer Wedding On Arran by Ellie Henderson
  10. Summer at Forget-Me-Not Cottage by Helen Rolfe

10 Recently Published Books

  1. The Summer Club by Hannah McKinnon
  2. The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh
  3. 15 Summers Later by RaeAnne Thayne
  4. For the Love of Summer by Susan Mallery
  5. Feels Like Summer by Wendy Francis
  6. Seven Summers by Paige Toon
  7. Just For the Summer by Melody Carlson
  8. The Sawmill Book Club by Carolyn Brown
  9. The Rom-Commers by Kathering Center
  10. The Seaside Sisters by Pamela Kelley

Other Summery Books I might be able to sneak in:

  1. The Summer Cottage by Annie Rains
  2. Flying Solo by Zoe May
  3. Great Summer Street Party: Sunshine and Cider Cake by Georgia Hill
  4. Great Summer Street Party: GIs and Ginger Beer by Georgia Hill
  5. Great Summer Street Party: Blue Skies and Blackberry Pie by Georgia Hill
  6. A Brush With Love by Mazey Eddings
  7. On Fire Island by Jane L. Rosen
  8. Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins
  9. An Island Summer by Jenny Hale
  10. Sweet Summer’s Kiss by Debra Salonen

Last year I read all 20 books from my two lists, plus 15 other summery books. I have 36 books on my backlist with “Summer” in the title or being set in summer, so I would love to read more than just ten of them. Above are 10 more off that list that I would love to be able to read.

This year, it might be a bit harder for me to complete this challenge as I will be away with my daughter in Europe for just over two weeks in June, and I’m planning to participate in a mini-audiobook challenge in July, but will be able to double dip. I have decided to forgo Christmas in July, this year. Wish me luck.

This should be a great summer of reading. I love this challenge and hope you will join in this year.