So, half way through the year already. For some of us it will have flown by, others will be wondering if 2020 will never end. As countries around the world begin to emerge from the cocoon that Covid 19 spun, it’s easy to forget that not everyone will want to return to the ways from The Time Before. Be kind, be careful and don’t forget others won’t feel the same as you (that applies to books as much as to life in general).

Here’s what came to isolate with me this month.

1. The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow, sent for review by Orbit.

2. Sway by Dr Pragya Argawal, sent for review.

3. The Wonderous and Tragic Life of Ivan and Ivana by Maryse Condé , sent for review.

4. Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker, sent for review by Quercus.

5. Everything is Fine by Gillian Harvey, sent for review by Orion.

6. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, a treat I bought for myself.

7. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, sent for review by Viking.

8. All My Lies Are True by Dorothy Koomson, sent for review by Headline.

9. The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon by Sara Steele, sent for review by Headline.

10. The Miseducation of Evie Epworth by Matson Taylor, sent for review by Simon and Schuster.

11. The Tainted by Cauvery Madhavan, sent for review by the author.

12. The Part-Time Job by PD James, sent for review by Faber and Faber

13. The Graves of Whitechapel by Claire Evans, sent for review by Sphere.

14. Expiry Date by Rachel Ward, sent for review by Sandstone Press.

15. The Butterfly Lampshade by Aimee Bender, sent for review by Hutchinson.

16. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge, a purchase from Woodbridge Emporium.

I’m taking part in the 20 Books of Summer challenge and should have read 7 books this month to be on track. I would have been if a pesky show called Broadchurch hadn’t ruined those plans (and yes, I’m am on the pulse of new hot TV programmes, why do you ask?)

Here’s what I managed to read.

1. The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard (finished off from May so doesn’t count for the 20 Books of Summer challenge).

2. The Curator by M W Craven.

3. Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce.

4. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.

5. The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina.

6. My Husband Simon by Mollie Panter-Downes.

So there we have it 16 in, 6 out, which more or less makes it a one way system for books this month. I should have the third series of Broadchurch nailed in a few days so hopefully I don’t find another programme to distract me from reading. Though that said, I could easily binge watch Cardinal and I’ve heard good things about The Bridge…