Well, that’s it for another year – 20 Books of Summer ends tomorrow and what a blast it’s been.

Although I didn’t finish my challenge this year I am still counting it as a win.

I read 17 of my original 20 choices and swapped two books for others. The Anita Brookner I had chosen, Brief Lives, had the smallest type I have ever seen – or not been able to see in this case – so I swapped it for another Brookner, the very enjoyable Fraud.

I also swapped The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe because of small print issues and instead read the slightly disappointing And Now You Can Go by Vendela Vida.

I didn’t manage to finish The Wedding by Dorothy West on time, but am about a third of the way through, although it’s not really grabbing my attention I’m afraid.

The reason I’m calling this year a win is because, on top of those 19 books, I read another 15 books over the course of the summer! I’ve quite surprised myself with the amount of reading I managed, so I’m not going to worry too much about that 20th book that didn’t get finished.

What’s the point in having slack challenge rules if you can’t apply them to yourself?!

It’s been heartening to see so many of you completing your challenge over the last week or so. Over 120 of you wonderful people took part and thank you all for making it a great summer.

So, how did you all do? No matter what the outcome, I hope you all enjoyed taking part. It’s a really important part of my reading year and helps me focus and knock some books off the 746, so, all being well, I’ll see you all again next year!

In the world of book blogging though, there is always more reading to be done and I am already making some autumn plans to take part in the odd challenge and get the 746 down into the 300s!

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R.I.P(R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril) the traditional autumn reading challenge (started sixteen years ago by Carl V. Anderson) is starting on 9 September and I’ll be choosing a few spooky reads to work through over the next few months and will include a few that will also work for Calmgrove’s Witch Week over Hallowe’en.

I’m also looking forward to taking part in The 1976 Club in October hosted by Simon of Stuck in a Book and Kaggsy at Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings. I have two books lined up, The Boys from Brazil by Ira Levin and Lucinella by Lorne Segal.

Looking ahead to November, Rebecca and I will be returning with Novellas in November – our celebration of great, short books – watch out for a special announcement next week…

Do let me know how you all got on with your summer reading and what bookish plans you have lined up for the autumn!

20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge #20booksofsummer21 20 Books of Summer