And just like that, hat is it for another year! 20 Books of Summer ends today and it’s been one of the biggest and best years to date.
Despite a strong start and the best intentions, I didn’t manage to complete the challenge this year. I reviewed 18 of my chosen books and read 19 and am placing the blame for my failure of the challenge firmly on the hefty bulk of The Bonfire of the Vanities, which was a big, long distraction!
However, on top of those 18 books, I also managed to read another 7 books over the course of the summer, so I am going to go right ahead and call my participation this year a win!
It helped that I really loved most of the books that I read. Favourites were Suzanne by Anais Barbeau-Lavalette, translated by Rhonda Mullins, In A Lonely Place by Dorothy B Hughes, Orbital by Samantha Harvey and Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion.
It’s been heartening to see so many of you taking part and completing the challenge over these summer months. Over 120 of you wonderful bloggers took part so thank you all for making it such a great summer of reading.
On a personal note, 2024 year saw 20 Books Of Summer reach it’s tenth year, so I think it’s the perfect time to bow out of hosting duties for the final time.
While I love this challenge and the sense of community it fosters, work pressures and family needs means I have struggled in the past to look after the challenge and to give it the time I think it deserves.
I am very happy for the challenge to continue and if any of you lovely bloggers feel like picking up the hosting mantle then I would happily take part again next year, however, I think that after ten years, it’s finally time for me to say goodbye to 20 Books of Summer.
Thanks for all your support over the last ten years, I’ve loved hosting this challenge and hopefully it will continue in some shape or form.