Cathy at 746 Books is hosting the 20 Books of Summer reading challenge again this year. As Cathy states, it’s the most relaxed reading challenge you’ll participate in (swap books out, change your target, do whatever).
As I’ve done in previous years, I’m using this challenge to read from my to-be-read stack. The challenge is straightforward – read twenty books between June 1st and September 1st.
Of course, it’s winter in Melbourne. So while Cathy et al. is enjoying the Irish sunshine, I’ll be rugging up. The last few years, I’ve compared the Irish summer with the Melbourne winter on the day I finished each book. I’ll do it again this year.
Here is my Summer (Winter) reading list (with spots free for my book group picks and new releases that call my name):
01. Milkman by Anna Burns
02. The Incendiaries by R. O. Kwon
03. The New Me by Halle Butler
04. Nothing But Blue Sky by Kathleen MacMahon
05. The Believer by Sarah Krasnostein
06. Us by David Nicholls
07. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
08. Twenty-One Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks
09. The Biographer’s Lover by Ruby J. Murray
10. Life After Truth by Ceridwen Dovey
11. The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
12. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
13. Stray by Stephanie Danler
And audios that I’ll only count if the timeline is tight…
14. Brat by Andrew McCarthy
15. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
16. Snowflake by Louise Nealon
17. The Truth About Her by Jacqueline Maley
18. Rosie by Rose Tremain
19. The Night Always Comes by Willy Vlautin
20. Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
You’re in for a treat with The Last of her Kind ❤️
I’ve only read two from your list, but I hope you’ll love Pachinko as much as I did. A perfect winter read to lose yourself in.
The only one I’ve read is Milkman, which I thought was excellent. Happy reading Kate!
Dear Kate, I loved, loved, loved MILKMAN. And I really appreciate the reco’s to add to my TBR list. I’ll be grateful if you’ll consider my book, too: Brave(ish): A Memoir of a Recovering Perfectionist. I wrote it to inspire women (and men!) that it’s never too late to learn to live our own lives (and to entertain with my travel mis-adventures living on four continents. Thanks for letting me share, and HAPPY READING!
It took me a while to get into Milkman but once I did, it was fabulous
I read a sample ages ago and it didn’t appeal but a friend lent me their copy and assured me I’d love it!
I’ve read six of your picks and particularly loved the Kwon and Nicholls. I can’t wait for Krasnostein’s new book to be available over here, and that’s the Nunez novel I want to pick up next.
That’s reassuring! Had the Nicholls for ages and have recorded the tv series but must read book before watching!
Fabulous list! Thank you for reminding I own The Believer. I immediately started it and think it will be just wonderful. Happy winter reading.
I bought it as soon as it was released but have been saving it for the depths of winter.
Ohhh Pachinko – lucky you!
All these are new to me, I hope you find some favourites and I’m looking forward to the weather reports – such a good idea!
Yay for Milkman! The Kwon might make my list, I’m still undecided. If our current weather is anything to go by, your winter temps are still going to beat us!
The Biographer’s Lover…a terrific book!
Bought on your recommendation!
The only books from your list that I’ve read are Lucky and Born on a Blue Day, and I remember both as enlightening memoirs. Read on!
Sense that Lucky will be tough reading…
Kate – So lovely to see this – thanks for including Portraits of a Few of the People I’ve Made Cry in your Melbourne winter/Irish summer reading list – and I have to say, The Last of Her Kind is one of my favorites – I love Sigrid Nunez’s books – am reading her first novel right now, coincidentally, A Feather on the Breath of God.
I look forward to reading Portraits – thanks for stopping by 🙂
Good idea to leave free spots, I hope you enjoy your winter reading.
I read and enjoyed both Better Than Before and Pachinko. Good luck!
I’m hoping to read twenty of my 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up.
Have heard such good things about Pachinko. Good luck with your challenge.
I loved Milkman and US on audio. I enjoyed Pachinko and Dress Your Family … I can’t wait to read your reviews. Good luck with your reading.
Am tempted to find Milkman on audio just for the accents.
I loved Milkman – that’s the only one I’ve read so looking forward to hearing what you think of the others. And I think I remember you comparing the weather last year, wasn’t it often warmer in Melbourne? Hope the reads bring a little sunshine to your winter!
Yes, I’ll be comparing the weather again 😃 Some years our winter has been warmer than the Belfast summer but I think last year they were roughly the same. Will see what happens this year!
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Well done, Kate. I have only read “Pachinko” from your list but I had a very busy book summer, as well.