#20 Books of Summer 2025 - June Wrap-up

Time for the June Wrap-up for 20 Books of Summer challenge. It is hosted by AnnaBookBel.

I did a rather good start, and am pleased with my reading. I must admit that not all books I read are from my original list, but that is life. I needed something easier to read so found some very good Swedish detective stories, and an Agatha Christie. A must summer read. I read 9 books in June. Books read marked in bold. Here is my adapted list:

1. Aurelius, Marcus - Meditations (NF)


2. Austen, Jane - Lady Susan

3. Brook, Timothy - Vermeer's Hat (NF)

4. Brooks, Geraldine - Nine Parts of Desire

5. Byatt, A.S. - The Children's Book

6. Craike, W. A. - The Brontë Novels (NF)

7. Desmond/Moore, Adrian/James - Darwin's Sacred Cause (NF)

8. Fitzgerald, Penelope - Edward Burne-Jones, A Life (NF)

9. Franzen, Jonathan - Freedom

10. Gabaldon, Diana - The Scottish Prisoner

11. Geras, Adèle - Ljus och skugga (Facing the Light)

12. Johannesson, Jan - Experimentet

13. Koen, Karleen - Och nu ansikte mot ansikte (Now Face to Face)

14. Laoutaris, Chris - Shakespeare and the Countess

15. Lucas Correa, Armando - De som färdas om natten

16. Merriman, Helena - Tunnel 29 (NF)

17. Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford (NF)

18. Oates, Joyce Carol - Blondie

19. Roy, Arundhat - The God of Small Things (Not finished)

20. Talbot Rice, Tamara - Memoirs of St Petersburg, Paris, Oxford and Byzantium

21. One Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie

22. Isbrytare by Kristina Ohlsson

23. Nattankare by Kristina Ohlsson

24. Skuggläge by Kristina Ohlsson

25. Frälsekransen by Kristina Ohlsson

Emma @Word and Piece helps us highlight what we read with a questionnaire.

1. If your #20BooksofSummer25 TBR were a beach, what’s the most surprising thing you’ve unearthed so far – a hidden gem, a total shipwreck, or something unexpectedly delightful?

I took a rest from my list to read a couple of detective stories by Swedish author Kristina Ohlsson. I had read the first in the series a while ago and really liked it. A little bit different set-up of characters than the usual ones. It takes place by the sea a little bit north of Gothenburg, on the west coast of Sweden.

There is a murder where the story goes back many years and affect people today. Water, harbours and beaches are always within reach. The stories are so well built up, and for all of the books the stories get more and more exciting. As you near the end it is impossible to put the book down. I am now on the fourth book, which is the fifth(!) (I missed out no. 5 and thought it was no. 3, so already read the last one). They can be read in which order you want, but relationships do develop through book. Very good, easygoing reads this summer. A good start.

2. Imagine your reading progress as a summer road trip. Which book has been the scenic route, which has been the highway, and is there a rest stop book you’re looking forward to?

The scenic route is definitely the books I talk about under no. 1. The highway would be Tunnel 29 by Helena Merriman. The adrenalin was pouring all through this very exciting, real life thriller. My review under the link. The rest stop book I am looking forward to is Lady Susan by Jane Austen.

3. If one of the books you’ve read this month was turned into an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called?

It would be Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford. A subtle, regular flavour like vanilla, which is also my favourite flavour. I can see Madame de P eating ice-cream in her parlour, or maybe in the garden to her private palace or gazebo.

4. If you could swap places with a character from one of the books you’ve read this month, purely for the summer, who would it be and what items would you absolutely take with you?

Maybe swap with Madame de Pompadour, to be able to live in France in the 18th century. Live in a palace and feel the atmosphere, and the bad smell, as it seems to have been. I guess I don't need to bring a perfrume to take away the odour. I can't really think of anything I could take with me, going back in time, but probably would have to take with me my medications.

5. “Plot twist!”: If your summer reading challenge were a book, what unexpected event just happened to shake things up? Or did life get in the way of your reading plans?

Well, I am heading towards a holiday with our van. Although I do bring books, there always seem to little time to read them. We are heading to Norway to visit our son and girlfriend, so a few busy days in Oslo. Then on to discover the southern part of Norway. I do hope to have time to continue my 20 Books of Summer.

A nice way to wrap-up the June reading for this challenge. Looking forward to July reading, which will also compete with Paris in July. I see you there as well.