Sunday, May 16, 2021

20 Books of Summer - 2021


Goal 20 Books - Read to Date - (14) (1-DNF)

Every summer I usually come up with an informal list of 10 books that I want to read between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This year I've been noticing a more official summer type challenge hosted by Cathy@ 746Books.  The dates of the event are June 1 - September 1 and I've decided to pick a combination of books from my bookcase, audio downloads and eGalley/eBooks.  Interested in joining the summer challenge? Have you read any of the ones from my list?

You can click on the links to find out  a little info about each of the books I've added to my list:

  1. Malibu Rising; Taylor Jenkins Reid - 4/5 stars
  2. Belonging; Nancy Thayer
  3. Six Weeks to Live; Catherine McKenzie  4/5 stars
  4. The Summer of Lost and Found; Mary Alice Monroe
  5. Northern Spy; Flynn Berry 4/5 stars
  6. Blush; Jamie Brenner - 3/5 stars
  7. Family Reunion; Nancy Thayer  - 5/5 stars
  8. Oh, William!; Elizabeth Strout
  9. Heaven; Mieko Kawakami  4/5 stars
  10. The Maiden; Alex Michaelides 4/5 stars
  11. Mirrorland; Carole Johnstone
  12. Model Home; Eric Puchner
  13. Sooley; John Grisham - 4.5/5
  14. The Hypnotist's Love Story; Liane Moriarty
  15. The Newcomer; Mary Kay Andrews - 4/5 stars
  16. The Scenic Route; Binnie Kirshenbaum    - DNF
  17. When the Stars Go Dark; Paula Mclain - 3.5/5 stars
  18. Swimming Back to Trout River; Linda Rui Feng - 4.5/5 stars
  19. Three Martini Afternoons at the Ritz; Gail Crowther - 4/5 stars
  20. Vineyard Crossing; Jean Stone
Possible Alternates
  1. The Language of Hoofbeats; Catherine Ryan Hyde
  2. Mom Genes: Inside the New Science of Our Ancient Maternal Instincts;Abigail Tucker
  3. That Summer; Jennifer Weiner   2.5/5 stars
  4. The Photographer; Mary Dixie Carter - 3.5/5 stars
  5. The Pursuit of Alice Thrift; Elinor Lipman

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42 comments:

  1. Helen's Book BlogMay 16, 2021 at 12:08 AM

    Looks like a great list. I've got Northern Spy on my TBR shelf and now wish I'd put it on my books of summer list. Of course, what bad thing happens if I exchange a book or two? No bad thing! :-)

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:12 PM

      I actually have the audio of Northern Spy but, I'm waiting until my turn comes for the print edition to possibly do a combo read/listen.

      Delete
  2. GregMay 16, 2021 at 1:13 AM

    I'd like to read more Taylor Jenkins- Reid.

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  3. MysticaMay 16, 2021 at 3:44 AM

    Thanks for the list which will make everyone envious!

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:13 PM

      I do like seeing all the lists - just what we all need more ideas of books we want to read LOL

      Delete
  4. CathMay 16, 2021 at 5:44 AM

    Oddly, I haven't read or even heard of any of your books. I followed a few links and several really appeal to me, Family Reunion especially. I seem to be getting more into these contemporary, family books with some history thrown in, not sure why that's happening! A little bit tempted by this challenge, I'll think about it.

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:14 PM

      I hope to catch up on a few Nancy Thayer books that I've missed over the years.

      Delete
  5. Brian's Home BlogMay 16, 2021 at 8:45 AM

    That is a nice selection. That would keep me busy for two years!

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  6. Charlotte BurtMay 16, 2021 at 9:20 AM

    Malibu Rising was great (I finished it last week) but the others look great too. I am far too much of a mood reader to make long TBR's, I have my list of ARC's to read and that is enough for me.
    Charlotte Burt's Books

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:15 PM

      I'm a mood reader as well so that's why I picked a variety of contemporary, mystery and thrillers and possibly NF.

      Delete
  7. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzMay 16, 2021 at 10:27 AM

    What a great list. I would love to read Malibu Rising, When the Stars Go Dark, Swimming Back to Trout River, and Three Martini Afternoons at the Ritz. I will write these down on my tentative TBR. I'm eager to hear what you think of these, Diane.

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:22 PM

      Deb, Those 4 are some of the ones that I'm most looking forward to.

      Delete
  8. Dorothy BordersMay 16, 2021 at 10:28 AM

    You've got some interesting titles there. I'm looking to add some "beach reads" to my summer reading. Jennifer Weiner is always my go-to for that but maybe I'll branch out and some some from your list.

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:23 PM

      Mary Kay Andrews, Nancy Thayer and Jeniffer Weiner are good for nice summer reads.

      Delete
  9. Sam May 16, 2021 at 10:29 AM

    I love the idea that this challenge is going to help you get through the TBRs that are already on your shelves or e-readers. Reading from my own library is always one of the unofficial goals I have going into the year year...and it's one I always disappoint myself with. Here we are in the middle of the fifth month of the year already, and I've read a grand total of six books from my own shelves.

    I'm surprised to see that I haven't read any of the books on your list, but you've included some authors, like Strout and Thayer, that I'm familiar with. Good luck on the challenge.

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:26 PM

      Thanks Sam. Now that our library is open and not doing curbside pickup it's less incentive for me for some reason. I do download library books frequently (eBooks and eAudios).

      Delete
  10. jenclairMay 16, 2021 at 11:18 AM

    I loved Swimming Back to Trout River! Several others look interesting. Darn, so many books to choose from!

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  11. IlianaMay 16, 2021 at 12:12 PM

    I keep hearing about this reading project and I'm getting tempted to join. My problem is sticking with a book list! There are several books you've chosen that I want to read too. I hope you have fun and looking forward to reading your reviews!

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:27 PM

      Iliana, I tried to have a variety as I am definitely a mood reader.

      Delete
  12. Elza ReadsMay 16, 2021 at 1:17 PM

    This sounds like fun!! I'll make a note and look into it. You have a nice, diverse set of books here. I'm sure it's going to bring you lots of joy.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier, hope you will have a good week ahead!

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:28 PM

      Yes, I need to have a variety to fit my particular mood LOL.

      Delete
  13. Lark May 16, 2021 at 1:33 PM

    Happy Reading! I've been trying to decide which books I want to read this summer, too, but I haven't quite whittled my huge TBR list down to my top twenty choices yet. :)

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:42 PM

      You still have several weeks to decide, in case you choose to participate.

      Delete
  14. JoAnnMay 16, 2021 at 4:07 PM

    This is a great list, Diane. I haven't read any of them, but hope to get to Malibu Rising this summer. Good luck!

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:43 PM

      I always have fun making the list and who really cares if it doesn't go exactly as planned? LOL

      Delete
  15. Les in OregonMay 16, 2021 at 5:55 PM

    You've picked some interesting books, Diane! I'm anxious to read When the Stars Go Dark and Swimming Back to Trout River. Have fun!

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  16. thecuecardMay 16, 2021 at 11:52 PM

    Looks like a great list. From your list, I want to read: Paula McLain's ... as well as Northern Spy .... and possibly Malibu Rising ... We better getting cracking ... enjoy.

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 17, 2021 at 2:45 PM

      Susan, it seems those (2) books are very popular among our reading crowd this year. I am listening to The Plot which you had on your blog and it was slow going but, now very very interesting.

      Delete
  17. Joy May 17, 2021 at 10:37 AM

    I've only read The Hypnotist's Love Story otherwise, none of the books you have is familiar to me. Looking forward to reading your thoughts on these, tho.

    Good luck!

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  18. EllieMay 18, 2021 at 8:45 AM

    I've not read any of these but I am intrigued by Mirrorland.

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  19. shelleyrae @ book'd outMay 18, 2021 at 8:52 AM

    That list will keep you busy. The only one I’ve read is The Hypnotists Love Story which I thought was good but not great.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 18, 2021 at 9:05 AM

      Thanks so much. I hope Hypnotist's Love Story works for me, it sounds good.

      Delete
  20. Debbie RodgersMay 19, 2021 at 11:01 AM

    I haven't read any of these, Diane, but Model Home looks really intriguing!

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  21. TracyKMay 19, 2021 at 4:53 PM

    These books are new to me, Diane. I really like your idea of having a Possible Alternates list. I may have to do that. I am having a hard time cutting back my list.

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  22. Literary FelineMay 19, 2021 at 8:58 PM

    What a fun idea! I am terrible about following lists and so am not sure I could even attempt this, but as a list maker--it's tempting. Haha. I recently read Swimming Back to Trout River and liked it. I hope you will too. I hope you enjoy all of these!

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  23. Emma at Words And Peace / France Book ToursSeptember 6, 2021 at 10:16 PM

    You did great!
    I had fun with it too, even though I read a lot of books that were not on my original list, lol: https://wordsandpeace.com/tag/20-books-of-summer/

    ReplyDelete

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