#20BooksOfSummer2025 – Final Recap Questionnaire #BookBlogger #BookSky #SecretLibraryBookBlog

I’ve just discovered via Joanne @ Portobello Book Blog that there’s a final recap questionnaire for the 20 Books of Summer challenge. In fact Emma @ Words And Peace has posted one every month!

 

FIRST SOME BASIC QUESTIONS

Did you manage to finish all 20 books? If not, what kept you from completing the challenge?

I did finish and I really enjoyed it this year!

Of all the books you read this summer, which one(s) was/were your favourite and why?

I think it’s got to be The Names by Florence Knapp. It really took me by surprise, because when it was first published I wasn’t interested in it, because of the hype surrounding it. However it was a Kindle Daily Deal, and after getting hooked on the sample I bought it for 99p and loved every minute of it! 

Which book surprised you the most, either by being better or worse than you expected?

A Week to Remember by Ruth O’Leary was so much better than I expected, but Stone & Sky by Ben Aaronvitch was sadly very disappointing. 

Did you notice any patterns in the genres you chose or enjoyed this summer?

Hmm, I don’t think so. It was just whatever was on my list, or took me fancy at the the time.

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Which one had the best cover?

It’s got to be The Ballad of Smallhope & Pennyroyal by Jodi Taylor! I love the colour scheme, the peacock feathers and the James Bond look of it!

Which book one was the longest? And the shortest?

Killer Intent by Tony Kent was the longest with 535 pages, and Nala’s World by Dean Nicholson was the shortest with 261 pages 

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Did you read them mostly in print? 5 ebook? 6 audio? 9

Good question! I read 5 print books, 6 ebooks and listened to 9 audiobooks!

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AND NOW FOR SOMETHING MORE CREATIVE:

Imagine you’re hosting a “20 Books of Summer” book club wrap party. Which book would you nominate as the guest of honour, and what kind of toast or speech would you give celebrating it?

I think I’d nominate Nala’s World by Dean Nicholson It’s a really uplifting memoir about the author, a big burly Scottish guy, rescuing a teeny, tiny kitten whilst cycling through the Bosnian mountains, and their life travelling together afterwards. It’s full of adventure, armchair travel and it’s heartwarming. 😀 

Looking back at all the characters you met over the summer, which one would you want as a summer buddy for a weekend getaway, and what activity would you do together?

Ooh that’s a tricky question! 🤔 I’ve met some new characters, and some familiar ones this summer. Some I loved, and some I really didn’t like at all. I think it would be tie between meeting Peter Grant and Beverley his partner from Stone & Sky, as I love both of them, especially the way Kobna Holbrook-Smith narrates them. Or it would be Lady Amelia Smallhope from The Ballad of Smallhope & Pennyroyal, but only as long as Pennyroyal could guarantee that we wouldn’t have any trouble from any villians  whilst we drank Pimms and Margaritas. I’d also love a spot of time travelling if their pod was up to spec! 😉