NB: I made my own banner for this as the official one used generative AI. I used a stock photo from Pexels.com, and added some text. It’s not the most beautiful, but please feel free to use it if you would like to.
I’m a little late to the party, and I don’t think I’ve ever participated before… but better late than never, right? The challenge is a simple one: read 5, 10, 15 or 20 books over the summer, between 1st June and 31st August. You can sign up over at AnnaBookBel’s blog and join the monthly link-ups there.
I usually read a lot more than 20 books over the course of the summer, so I’m going to narrow things down a bit and use it to try to read specific books — but if that starts feeling unpleasant or annoying in any way, I’ll stop or swap in other books: the below are just a preliminary list of ideas, though I’ll try to stick to the categories I’ve set up here.
So let’s see…
Five non-fic:
I love non-fiction, especially when I’ve been stressed and struggling to read, so let’s start with some of those! (Not that I’m planning to read these in any order, but I’m hyping myself up here, shush.) I’m not going for any particular theme here, just picking some that I feel enthusiastic about in this moment.
And yet a bit of a theme emerged anyway, ahaha. Technically I’ve started the first three, but I’m not far into them. Which reminds me of my next section…
Five in-progress:
I started a lot of books at once and ended up feeling a bit guilty about not getting back to them, and truthfully, a bit overwhelmed at having so much on the go. So let’s lock in and agree that I’ll try to finish these five.
I haven’t even got far into the latter two, but the whim changed after I’d read a couple of chapters, and I drifted away.
With the other three, I’m solidly in the midst of ’em. I won’t say they’ll be easy wins, becauseĀ The Book Eaters andĀ The Water Outlaws haven’t quite been gelling for me, andĀ Queen James is dense.
Five ARCs:
I’ve been well in control of my ARCs for the last year or so… until I got a bit overwhelmed again, and pulled back on reading. I’ve got some catching up to do! So let’s get these read, if possible!
Five danmei:
I got a lot of new danmei at once, and ended up a bit overwhelmed/wondering if I should read one series at a time, or wait for more to come out (so I can get the next book right away if I’m really into it), etc. But I wouldn’t normally do that, and at least since they just need translating, we know new volumes are coming soon! So I think I’ll just jump in.
I’ve been looking forward to several of these for a while, after all! So should be some good light reading over the summer.
Five wildcards:
I know, this brings us to 25 in total, but I wanted to give myself the easiest possible out if I’m struggling with any of the above books. Without a specific backup plan, I might just feel like I’m cheating (I know, I know, the rules are very flexible, but my brain isn’t). So here’s a wildcard for each of the above in order, and a spare!
Ā 
And you never know… maybe I can make it the 25 specific books of summer, and really flout the rules, ahaha.
So here we go, for at least as long as this sparks joy!
awwesme that you are joining us this year, welcome!
https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/05/19/20-books-of-summer-2026/
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Here’s hoping it works well for me! I have finished my first book for it…
I’ve got my own little summer challenge myself, just June and July though, since school starts in August. I’ll definiitely be reading more than twenty books! I posted about it, both my goals and my daughter’s. If there’s one thing I really love, it’s competing with myself, lol.
I’ve had the ARC for Egypt’s Golden Couple for YEARS. I don’t know why I keep putting it off, it’s one of my favorite subjects. But I am determined to get it done this summer!
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I’m enjoying Egypt’s Golden Couple so far, though they do mention that they’re going to imagine personality traits for the historical figures, which I find a bit weird…
I like the idea of doing this challenge and reading only books you own, but since I rarely do that, I would fail miserably! Good luck, it seems you have a nice variety
Hehe, I have such a backlog, I have to get to it somehow!
This looks like fun! I also usually read more than 20 books in the summer but nowhere near as much as you do. I’ve not been organized enough yet though, to add another challenge to my plate. I love the idea of tweaking the challenge so you read specific books. I’ve been really into running memoirs recently and musician biographies!
I’ve not been reading that much so far this month, but I’m hoping that will change… fingers crossed.
I’m always so impressed with folks who set them themselves such specific challenges as I’m such a mood reader, it just wouldn’t work for me. We have a couple of arcs in common – This Dragon Has Some Complaints and Trade of Blood, both of which I’m really looking forward to tucking into. And I’m very keen to get hold of The Astral Library – I’m a fan of this author and this sounds like a must-read for me, so thank you very much for sharing and best of luck with your list:).
I’m definitely also a mood reader! Given I read about 90 books in such a timespan, there’s plenty of time for lots of mood reading as well! And if these don’t strike my fancy, I’ll pick something else.
Have fun with these! I just read How Queer Bookshops Changed the World, and it was excellent. I am intrigued by the carpets one. My list is here https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2026/05/12/20-books-of-summer-2026/ and I’m on book 3 at the moment …
I’m partway through How Queer Bookshops Changed the World and really enjoying it!
I love your alternate logo. While I don’t support using AI for text, for basic graphics it was a time-saver… Glad to have you join in.
I’m glad you like it. š