Once again I am signing up for 20 Books of Summer to try and turn round the dearth of reviews on this blog. The actual reading of 20 books over summer should be the easy bit. I’m not great at sticking to planned TBRs so I might swap some of these titles. I need to focus a bit more on my main reading challenges, so I’ve noted down where a book fits ATY or Popsugar. Here’s the plan (links go to Goodreads):

Books for Review:

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

This fantasy romance sees a marshall starting up a correspondence with an undertaker. Described as a “charming mixture of whimsy and the macabre” this seems exactly what I’m in the mood for. Review copy provided by Orbit Books.

The King is Dead by Benjamin Dean

The first of my vaguely Jubilee themed reading is a story of a young black heir to the throne, suddenly thrust into the spotlight when the king dies. Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster.

The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne

A retelling of Rapunzel from the witch’s point of view. Review copy provided by Orbit Books.

Fulfils: ATY 40. A book related to one of the 22 Tarot Major Arcana cards

The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings

Alternate New Orleans fantasy in which nine songs of power that keep the city’s beat alive escape from a magical piano. Review copy provided by Orbit Books.

Ithaca by Claire North

I do feel a bit Greek-mythed out, what with so many retellings the last few years, but I can’t resist a Penelope story. Review copy provided by Orbit Books.

Fulfils: ATY 30. A book related to mythology

From My TBR:

Aurora’s End by Amie Kaufman + Jay Kristoff

It’s really about time I finish off this trilogy. I haven’t been loving it as much as Illuminae but I do want to know how it ends.

Fulfils: Popsugar 8. A book with a protagonist who uses a mobility aid

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

This has been on my TBR for ages. It’s set in an apocalyptic world where First Nations people are hunted for their bone marrow.

Fulfils: ATY 39. A book from the TIME list of 100 Best YA Books of All Time

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

Now that I’ve decided I like horror books, I keep meaning to give Stephen Graham Jones a go.

Fulfils: ATY 17. A book from NPR’s Book Concierge

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

I really don’t know much about Emily St.John Mandel’s latest, but I think it has something to do with parallel worlds… Anyway, I have a fancy indie bookshop edition so I really should read it.

Fulfils: Popsugar 47. A book featuring a parallel reality

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

I’m kinda getting into romance books as of late. I think I just want something fun and distracting. This one is also about publishing peeps.

Fulfils: Popsugar 28. A book set during a holiday + ATY 27. 2 books with the same word in the title – Book 2

Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire

This appeared on my Wyrd & Wonder TBR and I didn’t get round to it in May.

A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe

This is about the Aberfan disaster, when a landslide in a Welsh mining town hit a school, killing 116 children and 28 adults. I feel I need to steel myself emotionally for this one.

Fulfils: Popsugar 31. A book featuring a man-made disaster

The Deepest of Secrets by Kelley Armstrong

I got hooked on the Rockton series during the pandemic and even though I’m starting to feel lke to books are gettign a bit repetitive, I still enjoy visitng this remote town harbouring criminals and other people wanted to hide from the world.

Fulfils: ATY 43. A book set in a small town or rural area

The Windsor Knot by S.J. Bennet

I thought this might be a fun Jubilee themed read, the Queen solving mysteries.

All the White Spaces by Ally Wilkes

Some sort of horror set in the Antarctic? I guess I’ll find out.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa

I haven’t read any Japanese cat books yet this year. I’m not really a cat person but I do enjoy this weird little subgenre.

Coward: Why We Get Anxious & What We Can Do About It by Tim Clare

This is the only audiobook that has made this list, because I’m taking forever to get through them at the moment. I am always interested from hearing about other anxiety sufferers’ experiences.

Fulfils: ATY: 7. A book related to psychology, neuroscience or the mind

Summer Pre-Orders:

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

Becky Chambers is just an auto-read by this point. Bring on the fuzzy feelings.

Fulfils: ATY 33. The next book in a series

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

A book all about the government department for all things magical? Yes please.

My Dearest Darkest by Kayla Cottingham

I can’t resist dark academia. I don’t really know much more about this one, just that past me thought future me would like it.