For the last couple of summers, Cathy @ 746Books has been hosting the 20 Books of Summer. Being the kind of reader who has a hard time sticking to lists, I haven’t joined in the past. But this year, I have that big stack of library books I want to read. I’m starting off easy with the 10 Books of Summer option, so I’ll have plenty of freedom to veer from the list constantly from time to time.
My 10 Books of Summer:
Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
Yes, this is the story of Anne before she came to Prince Edward Island; the first 10 years of her life in Nova Scotia. I’m reading this one right now, and thoroughly enjoying it (despite the fact that poor little Anne has to cook and clean and scrub diapers and feed babies and talk to her reflection in the glass for company).
We’re All In This Together by Amy Jones
This book comes out in June. All I know about it so far is that the protagonist miraculously survives plummeting down a waterfall in a barrel. Sounds like fun! And there’s a shark??
Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese
I’m reading this for a June group read at Goodreads. The only other book of his I have read is Ragged Company, which I really enjoyed. Time for another one.
The Motorcyclist by George Elliott Clarke
George Elliott Clarke is most well known for his poetry, but I loved George and Rue when I read it a couple of years ago, so was excited to find out he wrote another novel. But I have to admit that this cover isn’t exactly calling my name. So, just in case…
Blue by George Elliott Clarke
I can’t go wrong with one of his poetry collections.
The Naturalist by Alissa York
Fauna was one of the first books I reviewed on my blog (which means that the review is probably terrible – read at your own risk). I’ve been excited about this new one since it came out and I saw that it had a turtle on the cover! (MoreĀ CanLit with turtles.)
This Marlowe by Butler Hallett
I won this book at the 49th Shelf a couple of months ago, and feel bad that I haven’t read it yet. It has joined the fate of all my other owned books. I’m hoping that if I put it on this list, it will get read sooner rather than later. Also, I want to discuss it with Buried In Print who has already read it.
Harbour View by Binnie Brennan
I’m not sure if this is a novella or a collection of linked stories about a group of people who are the residents and staff of a nursing home overlooking the Halifax Harbour. This is a nice slim one to squeeze in if I’m starting to feel like I’m falling behind. And I do love reading about old people.
The Mystics of Mile End by Sigal Samuel
Lots of people have been loving this book, and I want to be one of them!
The Translation of Love by Lynne Kutsukake
This book about a Japanese-Canadian girl newly repatriated after her release from a Canadian internment camp in 1946 just came out in April. My eyes were opened after reading Obasan, and I just finished reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, so I’m curious to see how this one fits in.
One for good luck: Unless by Carol Shields
Carol Shields is my pick for the letter ‘S’ in my A-Z CanLit Project, and I’m hoping to read it soon. Maybe even get to letter ‘T’?
What are you hoping to read this summer?
Consumed by Ink 
Yay! She’s in! Great list Naomi, We Are All in the Together sounds fantastic – waterfalls, barrels, potential sharks! You’ll manage this lot no problem at all. cx
I’m in! It only took me 3 days to write this post. Now let’s hope I find the time to read the books. They all sound so good! š
I really like Richard Wagamese! I’ve read Indian Horse, Medicine Walk and One Native Life.
Hi Sarah! I also have Indian Horse sitting in my library pile – maybe I’ll get to both of them. That would be nice. š
Do you have a favourite?
What an interesting, varied list! The Alissa York especially appeals to me; thanks for the recommendation. I love Carol Shields and have been saving up two unread novels of hers on my shelves for a future treat, including Unless.
The Naturalist sounds so good, doesn’t it? I’ve been putting it off so far, I think because I’m afraid of disappointment. But there will be none of that on this list!
Lots of books unknown to me here, Naomi. Looking forward to your reviews.
I was surprised that my whole list turned out to be Canadian – it wasn’t really intentional. But I’m happy about it, anyway. š
What a great list! The premise of We’re All In This Together sounds incredible and I’m definitely adding that to my TBR. That cover of The Mystics of Mile End is stunning though!
I hope We’re All In This Together turns out to be as good as it sounds. I will let you know!
Lots of great covers here! I’m also partial to The Naturalist and Blue.
I was so impressed with the way Budge Wilson created suspense in a novel where the ending is obvious from the start — of course Anne will end up at Green Gables. I remember getting up really early to read Before Green Gables because I was so impatient to find out what was going to happen next. Can’t go wrong with George Elliott Clarke’s poetry and Carol Shields’s novels! The Republic of Love is on my list for the summer for sure, along with The Nymph and the Lamp (as you already know), and Jane Eyre, and Christy Ann Conlin’s Heave, and at least a few more. I might wait to hear what you think of some of the books on your list before I decide what to add to mine….
I’m loving Anne’s friendship with the Egg Man! Budge Wilson has done such a good job keeping the book true to Anne’s character. And I love the way she has planted the seeds that come out later in A of GG.
Heave should definitely be on your list! Hopefully, I’ll have a review to post about that one soon… Time has been tight lately.
Don’t know any of these books, so will be fun hearing what you think of them. Don’t tempt me to add too many though, pleeeease!! I must say your list wins the award already for best covers – some gorgeous ones there! Have a lovely summer of reading. š
Thanks, Fiction Fan! I’ll take that (imaginary) award and feel proud (even though I have nothing to do with it)! However, I can’t promise you that I will not try to tempt you with these books. š
Wow. All are new books for me, I have Unless by Shields on the shelf. Hoping to pick that one soon.
It’s interesting to hear about which books are known and which aren’t. I think Carol Shields is the most well known writer on my list (probably by a long shot). Oh well, maybe that will change a little bit by the time I’m done reading these. š
Of the books on your list, the only one I’ve read is Unless by Carol Shields. That said, it was quite a while ago and the details have slipped from my mind – looking forward to a refresher by way of your review! Hope you enjoy your summery reads. š
I’m glad I decided to put Carol Shields on the list – she seems to be the one writer most people have read or heard about. I’ve only ever read The Stone Diaries and that was also a long time ago, so I’m looking forward to reading her again!
Totally fascinating list! What a lot of new books and authors to discover. Great covers on many of them too.
Thanks! Hopefully I’ll get through them all, so that I can let you know which ones you should urgently read. š
Great list, Naomi, and many books I am not familiar with. I read Obasan many years ago in an Asian American Literature class in college, and that was the first I had ever heard of the Japanese internment camps. I’ve also been wanting to read Carol Shields’ The Stone Diaries for a long time. Have you read it?
I joined our local library’s reading program to read up to 12 books that have been sitting on our TR list. I put the list together, and I have yet to touch a single one of them! Good luck with your summer list, and maybe I should join you, by creating yet another list, ha ha…
I’d love to hear what’s on your library list, Cecilia! You could just use that one. š
I read The Stone Diaries years ago, so I don’t remember a lot about it except that it’s good. I think you would like it!
Gosh, I’ve been out of it lately, but I haven’t heard of any of these books and only one of the authors! Love some of the covers, though, especially The Mystics of Mile End!
Judging by the other comments, you’re not the only one who hasn’t heard of any of the books! But, the good news is, now everyone has! š
That’s a good way to look at it!
So glad you decided to join in. I think Cathy might be the only one able to stick to her lists, no?! š The Translation of Love is definitely calling my name.
I wish I had 10 heads so that I could read them all at once. Right now. š
Hi, Naomi. Glad you decided to go for it this summer! Last year was my first time and I had to revise my list partway through. My goal this year is to try and read the original list.
I won’t worry about it too much. It was fun just to make the list. š
Thanks for commenting!
Some stunning covers in this collection! Can’t wait to hear if the insides are as great as the outsides š
Me too!
Exciting list filled with authors I’ve not read – except for Carol Shields. She’s one my my all-time favorite writers. I am SO TEMPTED to join this. I’m leery, though, because I’m such a hardcore mood-reader/free-range reader. I’m contemplating. I have until tomorrow to decide, LOL!
You can probably join in any time this summer! I’m a mood reader, too, which is why I went with a list of 10 instead of 20. But, it was just fun to make the list. And, I actually might read most of these. š
I would feel worried reading the Anne book because it is not by Montgomery. I hope it follows her style! I have TWO motorcycle books calling my name! My family always rode motorcycles.
I *was* worried about reading Before Green Gables for that very reason, but I heard from a couple of trusted readers that it was well done. And they were right!
i like the eclectic nature of your list. I do fancy This Marlowe by Butler Hallett – it’s a fascinating period of history
This Marlowe will be different from some of the other books. I don’t really know what to expect except to be taken back in time. I’m curious to find out!
I’ve heard “That Big Stack of Library Books” is a great band. Can you affirm this?
I couldn’t tell you, BUT if you discover it’s true, you could feature them on your ‘musicians’ day! I bet they’re great!
For reasons I have to keep to myself til Friday (happy, though!), I can’t take on this challenge, but I love the list you’ve put together!
Agh! Dying of curiosity. I’m glad you at least said that it was happy or I would be imagining amputations or brain surgery or some such thing.
It’ll be on facebook, I promise! š
Gosh, I have no idea what I’m reading this summer. I couldn’t possibly commit to a set list of books. Perhaps next year! haha
Are all of these books by Canadian authors?
Yes! All of them, even though it wasn’t really intentional.
If you had a big stack from the library, you’d have some idea of what you’re reading this summer. š
Reading CanLit comes naturally to you. haha
Oh, right! I look forward to an update later in the summer to see how many of the books you read.
Uh oh… š
I like your 10 option š And I haven’t heard of any of these…have to do some checking out!
10 felt nice and safe. š
I really want to read that Anne of Green Gables book! Best wishes for your summer reading. š
Thanks! I’ll let you know how it goes!
What am I hoping to read this summer? Way too many things compared to how much time I actually have to read, as usual! And now I’ve added The Naturalist to my list as well, because I do not tire of reading about Victorian scientists doing their thing. I am litrally right now reading a book about that — well, it’s Edwardian scientists and it’s YA and the scientists I believe turn out to be magic-doers BUT STILL. :p
Yes to Victorian scientists! And the spiritualists, too. That whole thing was also pretty cool. And, I’m with you on wanting to read way more than I have time for, but it’s nice to dream… š
Can’t wait to hear about that book!
Ack! I still haven’t read Before Green Gables! Anxious to hear your thoughts! Nor have I gotten to Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet yet!
I thought I was the last to read Hotel on the Corner, but I guess I was only one of the last. It’s very good!!
I just finished reading the Amy Jones – so good. Great summer read and I’m recommending it to everyone. Also I loved Mystics of Mile End. And Unless is a gorgeous book. Sheilds’ best in my opinion. Good luck.
Yay! So great to hear you loved the Amy Jones – you’re the first I’ve heard from about it!
You have several stunning book covers on your list. I’ve never heard of Alissa York, but that turtle cover is gorgeous. I haven’t read any Canadian lit in years – I think I’m overdue.
(Harbour View and Translation of Love also intrigue thanks to cover love).
I’m loving the diversity of lists for this year’s #20booksofsummer as I’m making way around the participants.
You’re so right – I’ve seen so many new-to-me books on the lists! It’s going to be a dangerous summer for the tbr. š
Thanks for visiting! I’m off to check out your list…
Thank you so much for sharing this list with us, Naomi! I love it especially because it’s exposing me to so many new books/authors I hadn’t come across yet. The Mystics of Mile End sounds especially intriguing for me, and I love Japanese fiction but have not read any Japanese-Canadian fiction so also putting The Translation of Love on my list!
What a great list: some real favourites on here! And thanks for reminding me again about The Motorcyclist; I remember hearing him in interview (probably on The Next Chapter, a few years ago now) speaking about his father, so I am particularly curious about this one, but it keeps slipping down the stack (partly because I do also want to get to George & Rue soon as well). Summer seems to have crept up on me this year, but I should make a list. Of course I should make a list.
So far I have stuck to this list (but I’m only on my second book. Still…). š
I’ll have to look for that interview – maybe it will motivate me!
Of course you should make a list!
I wonder if I could break my summer reading into twenty books…I know I’m planning on a few: La Regenta by Alas for one, which comes in at 700 pages. If I broke that down into segments, do you think it could count as three? š
I have wanted to read Anne of Green Gables since I saw the series on PBS many years ago. What a great pick!
I think you could totally count a 700 page book as 3 books! Cathy’s ‘rules’ are very relaxed. š
Carol Shields!!
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Interesting titles. I think I have the Carol Shields book unread on my shelves too. She knocked it out of the park with The Stone Diaries. But I haven’t read others of hers yet. I should make a summer reading list too. I think I want to add some thriller / or summer book types to my list which I don’t normally read — but are good for the hot season!
You should! It’s going well so far – I’m on #3.
The Stone Diaries is also the only Carol Shields I’ve read, too. Time for another one!