Hello! I’m back!
I had a lovely break, in which I have been busy with many non-book tasks. (For instance, I have planted many scented plants on my balcony in the hopes of drowning out my neighbours’ vapes). Reading-wise, I have spent most of the past three weeks on a single thousand-page novel (Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell), which I am enjoying enormously and hope to review once I finally finish it! I also read Robert Harris’ Conclave, which I liked very much, but it was right at the start of my hiatus and I’m not sure I still remember it well enough to review it. I’ll definitely be reading more of his work, though.
Anyway, what better way to ease back into the swing of things than with a 20 Books of Summer list? It’s that joyful time of year again, characterised by light evenings and undue optimism about how quickly I can read. In stark defiance of my history with Cathy’s wonderful summer reading challenge, which I have succeeded in exactly once (in 2020, when I had nothing else to do), I am having another go.
I’ve definitely found in the past that I’m more successful when I try to have some method to my madness, which this year manifests as a theme. I’m not going travelling this summer – not even in the UK, except maybe for day trips – because I have assorted tedious responsibilities like “extending the lease on my flat” and “having the kitchen replumbed” that have to take priority. (I do have a work commitment in Manchester that will require a night away, which I’m quite excited about because I’ve never been there before, but I don’t know if that counts as a holiday exactly). I’ve therefore developed a 20 Books of Summer list that is mostly made up of books that will take me to other corners of the world – plus a few British seaside towns or walking trips:
From a Crooked Rib – Nuruddin Farah (Somalia)
“Cherry” Ingram: The Englishman who Saved Japan’s Blossoms – Noake Abe (Japan)
Death on the Riviera – John Bude (France)
Fire From Heaven – Mary Renault (Greece – sort of)
The Beautiful Summer – Cesare Pavese (Italy)
Anil’s Ghost – Michael Ondaatje (Sri Lanka)
Nine Coaches Waiting – Mary Stewart (France)
Der blaue Himmel – Galsan Tschinag (Mongolia)
Red Sorghum – Mo Yan (China)
Tour de Force – Christianna Brand (unnamed Mediterranean island)
Winchelsea – Alex Preston (England)
Uncle Paul – Celia Fremlin (England)
O Cruel Alexis – Virgil (Rome)
Ashenden – W Somerset Maugham (Switzerland)
Requiem for a Wren – Nevil Shute (Australia)
The Remainder – Alia Trabucco Zerán (Chile)
Aberystwyth Mon Amour – Malcom Pryce (Wales)
When in Rome – Ngaio Marsh (Italy)
Der geteilte Himmel – Christa Wolf (East Germany)
Another Day of Life – Ryszard Kapuscinski (Angola)
I’ve finally learnt my lesson, and this list is packed with mystery novels, thrillers, short nonfiction, novellas, and even a single solitary poem in the form of O Cruel Alexis – so I hope I should be able to make it through them all in the time! I didn’t get on with Pryce’s Aberystwyth Noir series the last time I tried it, despite the fact that – as an alternate history/fantasy combination – it should be right up my street. However, I’ve now learnt more about the Welsh colony in Patagonia that forms a jumping-off point for Pryce’s alternate timeline, so I wanted to give it another try. Plus, is my German still good enough for the Tschinag and Wolf novels? There’s only one way to find out.
No doubt I will chop and change my books as the summer goes along, but I’ll try to stick with my vague travel theme! The library always does a display this time of year with books set in beachy places, so I can already see that I might be tempted… I’m looking forward to reading other people’s lists, and seeing where all your reading adventures this summer will take you!
An exciting and diverse list of which I have read zero 🙂
Thanks, I’m really excited about this list! Lots on here that I’ve wanted to read for years, and lots of recent impulse purchases too 🙂
What a great list, so varied and I haven’t read any of them. Enjoy!
Thank you! Yes, I’ve definitely found that variety is the trick to sticking with the list I’ve picked (even if it’s not the trick to actually finishing the challenge…)
Great list Lou. I read Theatre by Somerset Maugham recently and really enjoyed it. Happy reading and good luck!
Thank you! The only book by Somerset Maugham I’ve read is The Painted Veil – which I did very much enjoy – so I’m looking forward to this.
I read The Razor’s Edge in college when I took a fiction/film class. The protagonist was played by Bill Murray doing one of his serious roles that never work for me.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Bill Murray doing a serious role! I can’t quite picture it.
I’m never impressed. I like him somewhere in the middle.
Welcome back! I hope you feel refreshed from your time off.
I haven’t read anything on your list except Anil’s Ghost – Ondaatje is one of my very favourites. I started assembling my summer list and was about to add James Joyce’s Ulysses to it but fortunately came to my senses and opted for some that I am actually excited to read!
Thank you! I haven’t read anything by Ondaatje yet, but I’m looking forward to Anil’s Ghost (even though the blurb suggests it might be quite bleak). Ulysses was on my first Classics Club list, but I never read it and I can’t honestly imagine that I ever will. I hope you enjoy whatever you put on your list in its place!
I’m trying to prioritize books I own and haven’t read and realized that I must have given away the copy of Ulysses I had. It was kind of a relief to remember that and to accept that I will likely never read it and that’s ok!
Welcome back! Your list looks like fun. I’ll be reading Nine Coaches Waiting too over the summer, and Uncle Paul will be perfect for making you feel glad you’re at home rather than at the seaside! 😉
Thank you! I’m really looking forward to Nine Coaches Waiting – Mary Stewart has become a real summer holiday author for me. Her books just feel right for this time of year.
Thats a great idea, reading around the world. I’m pretty familiar with Neville Shute but I don’t know the one you’ve chosen, I hope you get to review it.
This particular Shute is set partly in a big manor house near me that was requisitioned during the war, which is why I’ve picked it – though it’s not much read now, which may be a sign it’s not very good! I think the eponymous Wren is stationed there, does something she regrets, and runs away to Australia, which is where the rest of the book is set. I’m really looking forward to it!
I love your theme of holiday-by-book.
I’ve only read one book by Ryszard Kapuscinski, Travels with Herodotus, which I read on holiday in…Mexico. Which had nothing to do with the book, but now every time I see that book on the shelf, I think of Mexico! I’d be keen to read more though, so looking forward to your response on Another day of Life.
I had never actually heard of Kapuscinski until a few days ago, when I came across this book in a bookshop and thought it sounded really interesting. So many of his books have great premises, so I’m pleased to know there is much more of his work to explore if I like it!
What a list! So many books that I’d love to read and some of my favorite genres, too. Good luck with the challenge! And by the way, I love the Mulan reference at the beginning 🤣
Thank you! Are you participating in the challenge this summer? (And I love that Mulan gif too!)