For the first time ever I made a summer reading list for myself in order to try and find some good books and read them in a slightly more methodical way than the almost random method I usually choose my next book from.

First I listed out all the books I had already but haven’t read adding a couple from there. Long ago I reconciled myself to the fact this list will probably only get longer over time.

Then for the first time I really tried to use goodreads and together with that go through my old lists. What books might make good listens, which I should actually read on kindle or in the flesh even. I added in a few books from booktube recommendations , and tried to mix it up with book genres I normally don’t read (see the romances bellow). I really enjoyed my reads overall and the act of making the list and thinking what to add to it was fun in itself. I think it also helped to make the reading journey a little more satisfying, It at least felt more deliberate.

Two particular favourites that made my summer were The Left Hand of Darkness and A Place to Read which was recommended by Jamie Todd Rubin so a big thanks to him for putting up a review of it.

I will be making an Autumn reading list, I think it could become a seasonal thing. A way of making selections of the books I read more thoughtful and more rewarding.

Over the three months of summer these are what I finished:

• The Library of the Dead by T L Huchu
• Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments by T L Huchu
• Four Walls and a Roof by Reinier de Graaf
• Where The Crowdads Sing by Delia Owens
• A Place to Read by Michael Cohen
• Beach Read by Emily Henry
• The Night Charter by Sam Hawken
• A Brief History of Equality by Thomas Picketty
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
• Depth Charge by Jason Heaton