Every year, the lovely Cathy at 746Books runs the 20 Books of Summer challenge, and I’ve taken part every year since 2015, though I certainly haven’t completed the challenge every year (my master 20Books page is here). The challenge starter page is here and there are over 85 people taking part at the moment, which is astounding and lovely, including lots of bloggers I read already.
I usually create my pile out of my print TBR, taking the earliest books on it although also adding some Viragoes and the like in at the end for All Virago / All August. This year, I’m being even more strict, and only the two Dean Street Press books I have coming up are slotting into August, although maybe I’ll be able to fit more in if I finish early.
What’s NOT included in my 20 Books pile?
- Ebooks whether NetGalley or downloaded from Amazon
- Review books sent by the publisher or author specifically for review on Shiny New Books or my blog
- Books for other challenges I might do along the way (I don’t think I have anything falling into that category this time)
- Books I am reading along with my best friend, Emma
- Books I’m part-way through at the turn of the month
What IS included in my 20 Books pile?
- The oldest 20 books on my print TBR that don’t fall into the above categories.
THE PILE
And here they are!
Ruth Pavey – A Wood of One’s Own – all about owning a bit of woodland and I think rewilding
Helen Ashton – The Half-Crown House – mid-20th century novel
Stella Gibbons – The Bachelor – another mid-20th century novel
Jeffrey Boakye – Black, Listed – the experience of Black men in the UK
Elton John – Me – the autobiography
James Ward – Adventures in Stationery – something we probably all like, right?
Anna McNuff – The Pants of Perspective – solo running the length of New Zealand
Alex Hutchinson – Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance – what it says on the tin
Martin Yelling and Anji Andrews – Running in the Midpack – running and improving when you’re not a new runner and you’re not an elite (might get promoted up the pile as reading with Wendy)
Mikki Kendall – Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminism Forgot – required reading for White feminists
Angie Thomas – On the Come Up – novel set in America by the author of The Hate U Give
Candice Braithwaite – I Am Not Your Baby Mother – Black women’s experience of maternity
Anna Aslanyan – Dancing on Ropes – translation and why it’s important
Nicholas Royle – White Spines: Confessions of a Book Collector – he collects a particular imprint
Rob Deering – Running Tracks: The Places and Playlists that Made me a Runner – running and music in this Unbound book I subscribed to
Sue Anstiss – Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport – finally we’re seeing more coverage, and this is another Unbound book I subscribed to
Lucy Delap – Feminisms – a history that aims to cover worldwide, not just White developed nations feminism
Edward Hancox – Every Last Puffin – he visits puffin sites in this book I took part in a crowdfunder for
Carola Oman – Nothing to Report / Somewhere in England – two Dean Street Press reprints of WW2 novels.
So, four mid-20th century novels, two nature books, three running books, two general sports books, two books on feminism, three books on Black people’s experiences, two books on music, book on books and words and one on stationery. Five fiction and fifteen non-fiction (a bit unbalanced but I will read other fiction during the summer). Twelve by women, seven by men and one by a man and a woman, sounds about the usual ratio. Will I do it? I really don’t know. But I’ll enjoy trying.
Are you doing 20 Books of Summer this year?
Cathy746books
May 31, 2022 @ 08:20:43
Oh this is a great pile Liz! I haven’t read any but there are loads there that I’d like to – particularly White Spines. Good luck!
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Liz Dexter
May 31, 2022 @ 11:31:44
Thank you, I’m very excited to be taking part again!
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mallikabooks15
May 31, 2022 @ 08:24:36
Good luck Liz. The only one I’ve read from your pile is On the Come Up which I enjoyed. Nothing to Report is one I mean to get to sometime.
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Liz Dexter
May 31, 2022 @ 11:32:03
It’s useful to know that one’s good!
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Announcing 20 Books of Summer ’22: Add your links here!
May 31, 2022 @ 08:27:58
MarketGardenReader/IntegratedExpat
May 31, 2022 @ 08:43:48
You are so disciplined! Exactly 20 books on your pile and 37 on mine. 🤣 I am including two ARCs, but I’ve totally ignored my oldest books in favour of more recent acquisitions. I’m glad to see my favourite title on your pile (The Pants of Perspective). I didn’t realise it was about New Zealand. We were meant to go there, but then Covid arrived. Maybe next year. As a translator, I’ll also be looking out for your review of Dancing on the Ropes. Enjoy your summer reading!
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Liz Dexter
May 31, 2022 @ 11:33:12
Yes, those with good memories will recall some of these from my failed attempt to do more with ReadIndies month! I usually read way more than 20 books in these three months of the year, but not necessarily THE 20 books, so the discipline does flag, but I like to have a proper list!
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Laura
May 31, 2022 @ 08:52:57
I hope you enjoy Lucy Delap’s book, I thought it was excellent! I’m also keen to read Hood Feminism.
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Liz Dexter
May 31, 2022 @ 11:33:53
I think I picked up the Lucy Delap on your recommendation! And you’ll have one yourself soon from me for Hood Feminism, hopefully!
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Helen
May 31, 2022 @ 10:15:04
Good luck! That looks like a good variety of books. I haven’t read any of them, but would like to read White Spines and Adventures in Stationery. I’m taking part too and hoping this might be the first year I actually complete the challenge – I usually read 20 books during the summer, but not the 20 that were on my list!
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Liz Dexter
May 31, 2022 @ 11:34:26
Yes, indeed – I’ve almost always read more than 20 books in May-Aug but not necessarily the ones on my 20Books list!
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Wendy
May 31, 2022 @ 11:20:23
I’ve read Endure–I love Alex Hutchinson’s books. So thoughtful and well-written. I will read Running the Midpack with you! I have one more book to tackle after the one I’m currently reading. Then let’s do it!
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Liz Dexter
May 31, 2022 @ 11:34:58
It’s good to know that one’s a decent one. And hooray, yes, give me a shout when you’re ready to start, any time 1 June to 31 Aug!
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bookishnaijagal27
May 31, 2022 @ 11:50:39
This is such a cute challenge. I hope you get through all the books!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 08:13:50
It is, isn’t it! I hope I will: I don’t always and I’ve started the month half-way through three books I have to finish first, which is not ideal, but we’ll see!
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hopewellslibraryoflife
May 31, 2022 @ 13:54:16
What an interesting pile. I skimmed Elton. The puffin book sounds very interesting.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 08:14:15
Thank you! Yes, I’m looking forward to the puffin one. Did you enjoy the Elton one?
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hopewellslibraryoflife
Jun 01, 2022 @ 12:10:26
Elton was Elton! Didn’t not enjoy it, just not much on celebrity stories. I prefer his music. Most of my friends who read it liked it.
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Grab the Lapels
May 31, 2022 @ 13:57:42
Your book on stationary reminds me of a book I read in grad school that was about how books became physical items in your hands. Like, the history of books. In a book. VERY META.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 08:15:15
Marvellous! I’ve got one called The ABC For Book Collectors that explains the parts of a book and the ways books are described for records and sale, and that has printed notes that say “This is the running header” as the running header, etc., which always amuses me!
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FictionFan
May 31, 2022 @ 14:52:17
Interesting list, though I could never face that amount of non-fiction in such a short period! I’m sure you can do it though – good luck! And have fun!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 08:16:19
I have quite a lot of NetGalley fiction reads running alongside it, and last year I gave myself a load of fairly heavy books on race and racism to read in the first month which did weigh on me a bit, so it should be a bit more varied and lighter than that!
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Jane
May 31, 2022 @ 17:23:59
All new titles to me, I hope you find some great reads and you’re right about Adventures in Stationary, that was the one that caught my eye!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 08:16:42
I’m looking forward to that one, I have to say!
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kaggsysbookishramblings
May 31, 2022 @ 18:31:10
Lovely selection Liz – good luck! Happy to see White Spines in there, and Adventures in Stationery is something I like to have” 😀 I won’t be formally taking part but will definitely read 20 books over summer!!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 08:17:27
Oh, I bet you will! Not the challenge for an intuitive reader like you and one who gets SO many review books but you did well with Narniathon!
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Paul Cheney
May 31, 2022 @ 20:22:02
I hope that you like White Spines!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 08:17:47
I’m sure I will and I’m glad I’ll be getting to it at last!
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WordsAndPeace
May 31, 2022 @ 22:19:21
Sounds like a really fun program, enjoy!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 08:18:10
I feel I’ve set up a good variety this year, even though it is really by chance!
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JacquiWine
Jun 01, 2022 @ 07:57:30
Good luck with your 20 Books of Summer, Liz – you’ve got quite a decent amount of variety there, which is great planning on your part. I’m intrigued by Adventures in Stationary – looking forward to hearing all about it in due course!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 08:18:55
That one and the Pants of Perspective seem to be drawing the most interest! It is quite non-fiction skewed but I have fiction in my NetGalley TBR so think it should do. We’ll see!
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State of the TBR – June 2022 | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jun 01, 2022 @ 09:34:37
Brona's Books
Jun 01, 2022 @ 11:11:21
Adventures in Stationery piqued MY interest!! A finely sharpened HB pencil is a dangerous thing indeed 🙂
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Liz Dexter
Jun 01, 2022 @ 16:41:50
Well if you read Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons In Chemistry, yes indeed!! I might have to promote that one as it is calling to me …
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Brona's Books
Jun 02, 2022 @ 00:40:56
No I haven’t…is there stationery in it as well?
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Liz Dexter
Jun 02, 2022 @ 14:47:38
There’s certainly a dangerous pencil in it!
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heavenali
Jun 01, 2022 @ 17:41:31
What a good looking pile of books. Really hope you like I am Not Your Baby Mother, and I loved The Bachelor and both those Carola Oman.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 02, 2022 @ 14:48:21
Baby Mother looks such an important book, I’m glad it’s getting included here, and yes, looking forward to all those and the second Helen Ashton.
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Emma
Jun 02, 2022 @ 04:27:35
Interesting selection and I’ve never heard of any of these books.
It’s going to be an interesting summer!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 02, 2022 @ 14:49:09
I do read a few obscure things, I think the Elton John and On the Come-up were perhaps the best publicised out of those. Also noting these were acquired in 2020 …
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Rebecca Foster
Jun 02, 2022 @ 14:35:56
Ooh, I’m keen to read Every Last Puffin. Hadn’t heard of that one. The Pavey isn’t about rewilding per se (though the sequel goes a bit more in that direction), more about trying to be a good steward of land. My husband and I are sometimes tempted to buy a woodland to preserve it, but we wouldn’t want it to be somewhere we’d always have to drive to.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 02, 2022 @ 14:50:08
Puffin looks great, I really liked his Iceland, Uncovered and was pleased to be able to be in on the crowdfunder for that. And thank you for the info, I couldn’t think of the word for it: stewardship indeed. That’s up next, hooray!
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katejones73
Jun 04, 2022 @ 14:26:21
This looks like a great list to get stuck into! Good luck with the summer reading challenge : )
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Liz Dexter
Jun 04, 2022 @ 15:56:09
Thank you – and welcome to my blog, I’ll go and have a look at yours. Sometimes I get all the list read, sometimes I don’t, but it’s nice to join in!
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imogenglad
Jun 05, 2022 @ 11:18:08
Great pile! Though I must admit I started the Royle book and gave up on it part-way in, as he was too nerdy about books even for ME!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 05, 2022 @ 17:17:01
Oh, gosh, there’s a challenge for me!
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thecontentreader
Jun 06, 2022 @ 11:28:06
Seems like a good variety of books. I will not join this year, I have enough of my own challenges, and travelling as well. It makes for time to read or not. You never know.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 06, 2022 @ 11:40:34
That’s completely fair enough – and I note that I’m only starting Book 1 today – oops!
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whisperinggums
Jun 09, 2022 @ 09:57:35
Wow I’m impressed by all the things you weren’t going to include. If I were going to do it, I’d be including review copies and other challenges (if I were doing, which I’m not.)
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Liz Dexter
Jun 13, 2022 @ 09:01:30
Yes, this is probably incredibly short-sighted and foolish of me, but it’s what I do every year!
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whatsnonfiction
Jun 09, 2022 @ 11:33:36
What a great and varied selection this is! I’m super curious about Dancing on Ropes, I hadn’t heard of it but my work is primarily in translation and I’d love to hear more about its importance 🙂 Looking forward to your review!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 13, 2022 @ 09:02:24
Fantastic, I’m interested as a language-learner and also I work with a lot of translators and people whose English is their second or additional language, so it’s fascinating to me from that perspective. Not long to wait for the review, hopefully!
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whatsnonfiction
Jun 14, 2022 @ 13:35:54
I think we do very similar work! I put in a library hold for this one right away, I was so excited to discover it. Thanks for it 🙂 Very much looking forward to your review!
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Book review – Ruth Pavey – “A Wood of One’s Own” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jun 11, 2022 @ 08:00:37
kimbofo
Jun 16, 2022 @ 09:32:38
Wow, that’s an impressive-looking list of SERIOUS titles! The only ones I know about (but haven’t read) are White Spines and I Am Not Your Baby Mother. Be interested to see what you think of the latter, I really enjoyed her debut!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 17, 2022 @ 08:05:51
Oh they’re not all that serious, Half-Crown House was jolly, as is The Bachelor and I have those Carola Oman novels later, plus running books. All good (I hope!).
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Book review – Helen Ashton – “The Half-Crown House” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jun 17, 2022 @ 08:02:18
Thomas
Jun 18, 2022 @ 21:05:38
So curious what you think of On the Come Up and I really enjoyed Hood Feminism, looking forward to reading both of your reviews on these books! Feminisms appears interesting too. I’m reading based on my mood and noticed that I’ve been alternating between fiction and nonfiction pretty regularly. I joined an Asian Boston book club and we’re discussing Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo next week and then the following week we’re discussing Yolk by Mary Choi and I’m super excited because I *loved* Yolk when I read it last year. Yay reading!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 19, 2022 @ 16:10:14
Yes, you will eventually find out what I think of these, it’s been a while they’ve been sitting on my TBR! That book club sounds great and a nice variety of books – I do wish there were more books published by British East Asian authors but maybe that will come – I know of at least one anthology.
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Cherryl
Jun 19, 2022 @ 08:39:58
Some interesting titles there 🤗, enjoy!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 19, 2022 @ 16:10:36
Thank you!
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Book review – Stella Gibbons – “The Bachelor” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jun 22, 2022 @ 09:59:29
Ebony Pollard
Jun 22, 2022 @ 13:21:55
I am entering the challenge because I saw this post! 🙂
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Liz Dexter
Jun 22, 2022 @ 14:18:23
Oh, that’s excellent, I hope you enjoy taking part! Make sure you let Cathy know you’re doing it on the challenge starter page …
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Ebony Pollard
Jun 22, 2022 @ 14:21:38
I just posted the link a few minutes ago so that I wouldn’t forget. Hahaha!
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Bibliotherapy: How Reading Books Can Positively Impact Your Mental Health, the 20 Books of Summer Challenge, and My Eclectic Book Selections Revealed – Resilience Everyday
Jun 22, 2022 @ 13:28:44
Book review – Jeffrey Boakye – “Black, Listed” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jun 24, 2022 @ 10:10:18
Book review – Elton John – “Me” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jun 27, 2022 @ 08:00:42
Book review – James Ward – “Adventures in Stationery” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jun 28, 2022 @ 08:00:11
State of the TBR – July 2022 | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jul 01, 2022 @ 10:16:53
Book review – Mikki Kendall – “Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgot” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jul 08, 2022 @ 08:00:10
Book review – Martin Yelling and Anji Andrews – “Running in the Midpack” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jul 12, 2022 @ 08:00:09
Book review – Anna McNuff – “The Pants of Perspective” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jul 18, 2022 @ 10:03:32
Book review – Alex Hutchinson – “Endure” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jul 30, 2022 @ 08:00:10
State of the TBR – August 2022 | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 01, 2022 @ 07:40:47
Book review – Angie Thomas – “On the Come Up” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 03, 2022 @ 08:50:05
Book review – Candice Braithwaite – “I Am Not Your Baby Mother” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 07, 2022 @ 09:02:02
Book review – Anna Aslanyan – “Dancing on Ropes” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 15, 2022 @ 08:00:24
Book review – Nicholas Royle – “White Spines” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 17, 2022 @ 08:00:21
Book review – Carola Oman – “Nothing to Report” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 19, 2022 @ 09:03:58
Book review – Carola Oman – “Somewhere in England” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 21, 2022 @ 08:00:22
Book review – Rob Deering – “Running Tracks” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 24, 2022 @ 08:01:35
Book review – Sue Anstiss – “Game On” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 26, 2022 @ 08:02:01
Book review – Lucy Delap – “Feminisms: A Global History” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 28, 2022 @ 10:54:54
Book review – Edward Hancox – “Every Last Puffin” – Book 20 in my 20 Books of Summer! | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 31, 2022 @ 08:01:01
State of the TBR – September 2022 | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Sep 01, 2022 @ 08:00:34