May 2, 2023

Twenty Books of Summer: The First Ten

 


I so eagerly left a comment to participate in Cathy’s 20 Books of Summer, I hadn’t yet compiled my list! So, here it is (the first ten, anyway):

  1. Suicide Museum by Ariel Dorfman (published September 5, 2023)
  2. Service by Sarah Gilmartin (published May 4, 2023)
  3. I Am Homeless If This is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore (published June 20, 2023)
  4. Foster by Claire Keegan
  5. Forbidden  Notebook by Alba de Cespedes
  6. Dead-End Memories by Banana Yoshimoto
  7. Mater 2-10 by Hwang Sok-yong (published June 12, 2023)
  8. Watership Down by Richard Adams (reread)
  9. The Mill House Murders by Yukito Ayatsujo 
  10. The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon (published June 20, 2023)
(Several of this titles are Advanced Reader Copies which I have been sent to review. In those cases, I have added the publication date above.)



















16 comments:

Tina said...

I thought Foster was very good. Short but excellent. Quality vs quantity :-)

marlo said...

I loved both Foster and Small Things Like These. She is an exquisite writer. You have many interesting books on your summer list. I have checked out Forbidden Notebook and added others to my already too long tbr list. You have really encouraged me to read more books in translation.

Arti said...

I entered my comment in the previous post but meant for this one. No matter, I just thought this is an interesting book list. Foster is a 4 Ripple read for me. 😉 and I’m glad you have found a new (or old?) home for your blog. All the best, Bellezza!

Brona said...

You are so organised!
I think you will love Foster. I just picked up Keegan's earlier short story collection, Walk the Blue Fields. I could be tempted to add it to my 20 books....

The ARC's all look very interesting too.

Cathy746books said...

Forbidden Notebook will be on my list too. Foster is a good choice as it is a quick read and I am very keen to read Service!

Bellezza said...

Marlo, I’m so glad you found me here! I hope it wasn’t a struggle for you.

I loved Small Things Like These so much! I recommended it to my Book Club, and several members actually bought the hardcover. After reading that one, I’ve intended to read more, and I downloaded Foster when it was on sale for kindle.

Forbidden Notebook has a deep appeal to me for two reasons: being Italian and being about journaling, both with speak to my heart quite deeply.

How wonderful that you find yourself reading more books in translation!! I find that little else compares to them.

Bellezza said...

Isn’t it funny, Arti, to be a new-old home?! I find myself to be in a state of ambivalence over quite a few things: should I journal in a Moleskine or a Hobonichi a6? Should I stick with Wordpress or go back to Blogger? Ultimately, I came back here for several reasons such as a fresh start (I was feeling so bogged down at WP, for some reason), the way that the blogs I particularly follow have snippets in my sidebar, and the way that Mr. Linky will work on Blogger but not on WP.

Love that Foster had 4 Ripples for you! I shall get back to you when I’ve read it. So glad you’re my dear blogging friend.

Bellezza said...

Organized, or retired? 😉 I’m not so organized that I could come up with a full list, but I have since added a few more that came to mind since publishing this post. I bought Javier Marias’ last book, Thomas Nevinson, and Collected Works which is a best seller in Sweden by Lydia Sandgren, so those two shall appear. So glad this list looks compelling. I shall look forward to your thoughts on Keegan’s short story collection. Isn’t it wonderful to find a beloved author?

Bellezza said...

I cannot wait to read Forbidden Notebook! And if Service is half as good as it is heralded…

Thank you so much for the wonderful challenge, and blog, you offer!

Bellezza said...


I felt the same way about Small Things Like These. Loved that books so much, and I’ve wanted to read more of Claire Keegan since. I’ve heard The Quiet Girl film was based on this book, Foster, but I haven’t seen it. Or, of course, read Foster yet. 😉

Emma at Words And Peace / France Book Tours said...

Already!
Thanks, I need to prepare my list.
Nice list! I have only read Banana, though not this title.
And I have the first book in this series by Yukito Ayatsujo on my TBR. Enjoy your summer of reading!

Bellezza said...

Don’t things come around so quickly? Already is right! I find the mysteries of Yukito Ayatsujo to be hit or miss, but I’m willing to try this one after reading its accolades. Looking forward to perusing your list, Emma.

Larry said...

I have to say, I’m aware of only a few of these books. I look forward to your reviews as I expand my reading horizon. As one who cooked professionally way back when, I’m curious about Service. Forgive the stereotype, but there are always salacious things going on in the background at restaurants.

Bellezza said...

Larry, so glad you found me here! I would love to hear more about your cooking profession. I don’t think there’s a stereotype with restaurants, necessarily. Every profession has its secrets, its salacious bits. (I taught in school district 204, and I’ve heard it called 20fornication.) Before I/we get to Service, May I recommend Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler? (https://www.amazon.com/Sweetbitter-Stephanie-Danler/dp/1101911867) I found it most interesting, and you may as well since you know the restaurant industry.

Les in Oregon said...

I have enjoyed this summer reading challenge, but don't know if I'll attempt it this year. We'll be traveling for 5 1/2 weeks (to Canada), and I'm sure I'll be too busy enjoying the trip to find time to read. Maybe I'll pack some very short books and see how I do. I have Small Things Like These in my stacks (loved Foster) and see a few others on my shelf that might work. Thanks for the reminder! I'd almost forgotten about the challenge.

Lory @ Entering the Enchanted Castle said...

Oh, Watership Down is the perfect summer reread!

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