I love the 20 Books Of Summer Challenge (Hosted by Cathy at 746books.com. There’s a link to other blogs of people taking part here too). I’m not always great at completing it, but I like this mid year focus to read a bit more. I really need it this year because my reading habits have just been really off this year.
I love the ritual of choosing the 20 books, knowing full well I won’t read half of them – mostly because I’ll swap some out for books I feel more like reading. I’m not good at planning my reading in advance – I much prefer to read whatever I feel like a the time!
the books
So here goes: My 20 Books of Summer that I will read between 1st June and 1st September 2019:
The Iliad – Homer
I read 2/3 of this last Summer. I will finish it this Summer. Oh yes I will.
Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias In a World Designed for Men – Caroline Criado Perez
I’ve read a little bit of this already and god, I LOVE IT. Of course I do. This is one of my all time favourite types of book. Anyone who talks to me over the next 6 months is going to hear something about this book. So seek me out 😀
Any Other Mouth – Anneliese Makintosh
A short story collection that was recommended on the short story writing course I’m currently doing. When I heard my tutor’s description of it, I knew I had to read it. From the back of the book: “a visciously funny, gut-wrenching and shockingly frank account of sexual misadventure, familial disintegration, loss, hope and self-discovery.” Yes, please.
Sarah – J. T. Leroy
I’ve had this one hanging around for about a year. Recommended to me by a friend. The friend has seemingly been and gone, but the book remains. I wanted to read it, then when I heard about the associated documentary about the author, I really really wanted to read it. Then I can watch the documentary film too. (Author: The JT Leroy Story)
I Hate The Internet – Jarett Kobek
I have heard this recommended on the Bookshambles podcast. I like the sound of it, but honestly, this is probably a prime candidate for getting bumped off the list.
Nina Is Not OK – Shappi Khorsandi
I’ve had this for a few years and it just looks like it would be a really good, hopefully funny, read. I’m never going to get round to it unless I put it on a list like this.
Transcription – Kate Atkinson
My first Kate Atkinson book! I’ve already started it because it’s the next book for the Continental book club. I will finish it after June 1st though, so it counts. 😀 Plus I’m only 30 pages in so far. Absolutely missed opportunity to take a photo of this book with this dress, that I wore twice last week, once when my hair also matched. D’oh. I’ve had a serious haircut since I took this picture too!
At the Existentialist Cafe: Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails – Sarah Bakewell
Honestly, this is probably another bump book. I really want to read it, but it’s soooooo big. We will see…
It’s Not About the Burqa – ed. by Mariam Khan
I’ve read a few essays from this already. All the essays are by muslim women talking about faith, feminism, sexuality and race. It’s a really interesting book.
Why I Am so Clever – Friedrich Nietzsche
I’m always putting Nietzsche as the hopeful answer to quiz questions. So maybe I should read something by him and I might start being able to answer ‘Nietzsche’ for the answer to the right questions. I don’t want to dive right in with some giant book by him, but I do have this neat little Penguin Classic as a starter. The tiny size is a bonus to me that means it is likely to actually get read.
The Xenofeminist Manifesto – Laboria Cuboniks
My mate said I’d like it, and she reads ace feminist books. Plus it’s tiny!
Classic Stories 1 – Ray Bradbury
As I’ve already mentioned at least a few times, I’m doing a short story writing course at the moment. So I’m reading more short stories. I’m afraid the boring ones about everyday life don’t really do it for me – I prefer the weirder ones. So I’m confidently putting this Bradbury collection on my to read soon list. Look at the cover, the sun is tiny and having a brew.
Four Bare Legs in a Bed – Helen Simpson
Another short story collection to read. I’ve read some Helen Simpson before (Motherhood, reviewed here, and I really liked her writing). It’s another fairly small book too – trying to build in the ability to pass this challenge!
The Anti-social Family – Michele Barrett and Mary McIntosh
From 1981, a quite academic book on why the nuclear family isn’t all that. I just like reading stuff that reaffirms my life choices.
Milkman – Anna Burns
Originally I was going to read this for a book club that I think isn’t going to happen. But I’ve started, so I’d like to finish (I’m on p18). I’ve heard soooo much about this book and really want to get in on some of the discussion (I’ll be there when everyone else has long moved on).
Milk and Honey – Rupi Kaur
Another one I’m very late to, but I wanted to include a poetry book on my list. I’ve read some of it already, but didn’t then use a bookmark so I’ve no idea where I got to.
Call Them By Their True Names – Rebecca Solnit
Anyone who has read a little bit of my blog must know how much I love Rebecca Solnit. Her writing is so good. I have a few of her books waiting to be read, but I don’t just want to binge through them all in a few months, so I’ve been gently pacing them. This is the one for this summer.
Radical Happiness: Moments of Collective Joy – Lynne Segal
Probably need to read this book a lot more than I realise. From the back of the book: “In an age of increasing individualism, we have never been more alone and miserable. Leading feminist thinker Lynne Segal believes we have lost the art of radical happiness – the capacity for transformative, collective joy. Radical Happiness is a passionate call for the rediscovery of the political and emotional energies that emerge when we learn to share our lives.” A lot of that sounds a bit terrifying to me, but probably useful and good. Can’t wait to review it!
Storm in a Teacup: the Physics of Everyday Life – Helen Czerski
I feel like I’ve been chipping away at this for years, and yet I really enjoy it. It’s a great book about different areas of physics and how they apply to everyday phenomena. Guess I just struggle to read about physics for fun, when physics is work too.
Artemis – Andy Weir
I loved The Martian, and have heard very mixed reviews about Artemis. I want to read it and see where I fall with it! I expect I’ll love it!
all the books together
So that’s the list! Wish me luck!
Be Exactly Who You Want To Be 