This annual challenge is run by my namesake Cathy at 746 Books. This year it takes place between 1st June and 1st September 2022. I’ve participated for the past few years but only managed to complete it once, last year in fact.
As (the other) Cathy explains, the rules are simple. Take the Books of Summer image, pick your own 10, 15 or 20 books you’d like to read and add your link to Cathy’s master post so she knows you’re taking part.
The rules are accommodating as well. Want to swap a book? Go for it. Fancy changing your list half way through? No problem. Deciding to drop your goal from 20 to 15? She’s fine with that too.
I’m aiming for the full 20 once again. This year I’m targeting the paperback books that have been in my TBR pile the longest according to Goodreads. Most are books I bought myself; a few (whisper) are review copies. All have been there an embarrassingly long time. Why just paperbacks? Well, because they’re double-stacked at the moment and it looks untidy! If I enjoy them and think I might want to read them again, they’ll go back on the bookshelf. If not, they’ll go on the pile for the charity bookshop.
You can find my list below. Links from the titles will take you to the book description on Goodreads. I’ll update them with links to my reviews when – note, not if – I’ve read them.
The Cleaner of Chartres by Salley Vickers Read and reviewed
The Boy Who Saw by Simon Toyne Read and reviewed
The Women of the Castle by Jessica Shattuck Read and reviewed
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley (waiting since March 2017) Read and reviewed
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (waiting since April 2017) Read and reviewed
Island of Secrets by Patricia Wilson (waiting since April 2017) Read and reviewed
The Plague Charmer by Karen Maitland (waiting since May 2017) Read and reviewed
The House of Birds by Morgan McCarthy (waiting since July 2017) Read and reviewed
The Honey Farm on the Hill by Jo Thomas (waiting since August 2017) DNF
Rivals of the Republic by Annelise Freisenbruch (waiting since August 2017) Read and reviewed
The Girl from Simon’s Bay by Barbara Mutch (waiting since September 2017) Read and reviewed
My Mother’s Shadow by Nikola Scott (waiting since October 2017) Read – review to follow
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (waiting since October 2017)
Treason by James Jackson (waiting since November 2017)
The Draughtsman by Robert Lautner (waiting since March 2018)
The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle by Kirsty Wark (waiting since March 2018)
The Painter of Souls by Philip Kazan (waiting since April 2018)
Appetite by Philip Kazan (waiting since April 2018)
Ponti by Sharlene Teo (waiting since April 2018)
Where Roses Never Die by Gunnar Staalesen (waiting since May 2018) Read – review to follow
Wish me luck! If you’re taking part too, enjoy your summer of reading.


What a fabulous line up of books 🙂 xx
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I hope so. I had to get the duster out for some of them!
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Haha I have a few that 😉
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Nice pile Cathy! I’ve been meaning to read Ponti for ages, so look forward to hearing what you think. Thanks for joining in and happy reading!
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Thanks. I forgot to mention I’m also intending to be ruthless. If I’m not enjoying a book I’m going to set it aside and swap in another one. There are plenty of the latter!
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That is a good plan!
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[…] Cathy at What Cathy Read Next […]
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Good luck! I loved Magpie Murders so would definitely recommend reading that one this summer.
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I know it’s so hard to pick one book, but what were your favorites?
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You’ve got this, Cathy. Good luck!
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That’s a great set of choices. I’ve only read Magpie Murders which I enjoyed very much. Good luck!
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You’ve got this! I’m also going to do it again this year – but only with 10…
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I’ll be joining in. I’ve a few on your list that have been waiting to be read for similar lengths of time. I’ve still to pick my reads so that should be the fun and hard part. Good luck!
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I’m joining this challenge for the first time and hoping to read books off my backlist, as well. It looks like you have a great summer of reading ahead! Good luck!
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