The smell of freshly mowed grass, the sound of birds singing, sipping on a cold drink, reclining in a lawn chair, all while getting lost in the pages of a great book. Reading in the summer is pure bliss.

Summer 2020 is quickly approaching (the first day of summer is June 20) and if you’ve been trying to get your reading list ready, I may be able to help. I created my ‘Summer 2020 Reading List’ a few days ago and thought I’d share in case anyone else is searching for some books to read, or interested in keeping up with what I’m reading.

So, with that said, here is my summer 2020 reading list.

Just Kids by Patti Smith

If you know me in real life you are probably sick and tired of hearing me talk about this book. I’ve also mentioned this book quite a bit on my blog so it might not come as a shock to readers when I say I’m going to be re-reading this book during the summer (in fact, I think it’s going to be the first book I hit).

This book is so wonderfully written and so vivid that when I read it I often feel as if I’m right there with Patti and Robert on their adventures. And the first paragraph of the book’s synopsis on the inside sums up why this book is an excellent summer read.

“It was the summer Coltrane died, the summer of love and riots, and the summer when a chance encounter in Brooklyn led two young people on a path of art, devotion, and initiation.”

Knots by Edward Carson

This poetry book has been on my shelf for years so I think it’s only reasonable that I finally tackle it.

From the back of the book:

“Full of philosophical digressions, questions, and answers, Knots forms a series of cyclical narrations, a kind of verbal asymmetry or mathematician’s knot, continuously mirroring its ideas and subject matter in a play of language and contrasting points of view.”

The Boss of Busy by Alison Hill

Another re-read for me!

This book is all about combatting burnout and getting clear on what matters. And as a small business owner and freelancer, I figured the re-read would be good.

The Shining by Stephen King

I am embarrassed to say I have never read anything by Stephen King. But I have always been interested in the story of The Shining so I ordered online, and now it’s popping up on my #SummerTBR.

Also, a new reading goal of mine is to read more thrillers and I thought this would be a wonderful start.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

I believe somewhere between Grade 9 and 12 I was supposed to have read this book, but I can’t recall whether I actually did (I apologize to any former English teacher who may be reading this). But much like The Shining, I have always been interested in the storyline of this book.

I thrifted Frankenstein some time ago now, and while I always thought I should read the book in October to get me in the Halloween spirit I thought ‘enough is enough, I’m reading this book this summer.’

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Another book I am embarrassed to say I have never read. And quite honestly, I don’t have any information about this book aside from my friends telling me it’s great and that I must read it (and then watch the movie). So, I’ve ordered it online and am patiently (or not so patiently awaiting its arrival).

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts

I am also waiting for this book to come in the mail as well! I have seen descriptions of this book online and have always been intrigued by it so I thought I’d finally give it a go.

From Goodreads:

“Vagabonding is about taking time off from your normal life – from six weeks to four months to two years – to discover and experience the world on your own terms. Veteran shoestring traveler Rolf Potts shows how anyone armed with an independent spirit can achieve the dream of extended overseas travel.”

What will you be reading this summer?

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