20 Books of Summer, hosted by Cathy at 746 Books, is a very simple idea: make a list of twenty books (there are also ten and fifteen book options) and read them during the months of June, July and August. However, it’s not as simple as it sounds and despite taking part every year since 2017, I’ve never been able to complete it! I often do read twenty books during that period, but not necessarily the books on my list.
This year’s 20 Books of Summer starts on 1st June and finishes on 1st September. I have listed below the books I would like to read. Most of these are either upcoming NetGalley review copies or books for various other challenges and projects I’m taking part in.
1. Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie (Read Christie 2024)
2. N or M? by Agatha Christie (Read Christie 2024)
3. Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson (Moomin Week)
4. Thomasina by Paul Gallico (Reading the Meow)
5. In the Upper Country by Kai Thomas (Walter Scott Prize project)
6. The Noh Mask Murder by Akimitsu Takagi
7. The Meiji Guillotine Murders by Futaro Yamada
8. The King’s Witches by Kate Foster
9. The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron
10. The Burial Plot by Elizabeth Macneal
11. The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks
12. A Woman of Opinion by Sean Lusk
13. Babylonia by Costanza Casati
14. The King’s Mother by Annie Garthwaite
15. A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith
16. The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson
17. The Lost Queen by Carol McGrath
18. The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden
19. The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
20. Cabaret Macabre by Tom Mead
Alternatives
I have listed four of the shorter books remaining on my Classics Club list as alternatives in case I don’t feel like reading some of the books above when the time comes.
1. The Black Lake by Hella S. Haasse
2. The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff
3. The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
4. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
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Are you taking part in 20 Books of Summer this year? What do you think I should read first?
She Reads Novels 
Almost all of these are new to me, Helen. I’ll look forward to hearing more about them as you work through the list. Good luck and happy reading!
Thank you! A lot of these won’t be published until later in the summer, so I don’t think many people will have read them yet.
I haven’t read any of these. Happy reading.
Thank you!
Ah, I didn’t know that Annie Garthwaite had a new book out. Another one for the Amazon wishlist!
Yes, it’s the sequel to Cecily so should be good.
I’ve only read the Jansson title, the rest not, but I like that you’ve got a couple of Japanese novels listed – there seem to be more and more of these available, don’t there?
Yes, until relatively recently I had come across very few Japanese novels. It’s good to see so many of them being made available now.
What a fun list of summer reads. I always like seeing what books others are looking forward to…even though lists like yours always seem to add to my own TBR list. ;D Happy reading all of these! And is that Tom Mead novel another Joseph Spector one?
Thank you! Yes, the Tom Mead book is the third Joseph Spector one. I’m looking forward to it!
Have fun reading!
Thanks!
Plenty of murders and burials there – perfect summer reading! Have fun!
It is quite a dark list, now that you mention it!
I’m reading N or M? right now! I also enjoyed Hazelbourne. Have fun!
It’s been years since I last read a Tommy and Tuppence book, so I think it’s time to read another one! I’m looking forward to Hazelbourne.
You might have noticed that I’m reading the T&T books all in order as a personal reading challenge. I went and bought brand new copies of them all just to do so!
Interesting list – good luck and happy reading!
Thank you!
I’ve a few of these books on my list too. I’m looking forward to ‘The king’s mother’!
Yes, I’m really looking forward to that one too. I enjoyed Cecily.
Thomasina was a fun discovery for me last year! I can also recommend the Moomin books. Otherwise, looks like a lot of great summer reading there, with plenty of magic, mystery and adventure.
Yes, I remember that you enjoyed Thomasina last year! I’m looking forward to it – and to trying a Moomin book for the first time.
There’s a Moomin Week? Brilliant! [lol] I remember enjoying the cartoons growing up and have had Moomin calendars up for the last few years. I keep meaning to read the books and others by her. I’ve heard *very* good things about Tove Jansson’s writing.
I used to enjoy the Moomin cartoons as well but haven’t really thought about reading the books until now. I’m curious to see what I think of them!
I think I might do this again this year, I do love a list! I might actually read some of the books that featured in the last 2 years list!
I love putting lists together for this, but then I get distracted by other books and run out of time!
I read The End of the Affair a long time ago, but I remember liking it. I like getting some classics in during 20 books of summer.
Yes, I would like to read at least one or two classics this summer. I’m glad you liked The End of the Affair!
I haven’t read anything on your list, not even the Christies and Moomins, have fun reading!
Thank you!
Nice list! I must get a Moomin book before it’s too late!
Thanks Liz! I’ve never read a Moomin book before so I’m hoping that will be a good one to start with.