2016 Big Book Summer

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net
A few years ago, I came up with the idea to use the relaxed freedom of summer to tackle some of the biggest books on my TBR shelf that I'd been wanting to read but never seemed to have the time for.  Both of my book groups take time off during the summer, so with no interfering commitments, I declared it The Summer of the Big Book and really enjoyed delving into some hefty tomes, like The Passage and Pillars of the Earth.

It was so much fun that four years ago, I created this challenge so that YOU can join me! And here it is Memorial Day weekend again and the official start of summer 2016. So join in the fun!

The Details:
Hey, it's summer, so we'll keep this low-key and easy!
  • Anything over 400 pages qualifies as a big book.
  • The challenge will run from Memorial Day weekend (starting May 27 this year) through Labor Day weekend (Labor Day is September 5 this year).
  • Choose one or two or however many big books you want as your goal.  Wait, did you get that?  You only need to read 1 book with over 400 pages this summer to participate! (though you are welcome to read more, if you want).
  • Choose from what's on your shelves already or a big book you've been meaning to read for ages or anything that catches your eye in the library - whatever peaks your interest!
  • Sign up on the links list below.
  • Write a post to kick things off - you can list the exact big books you plan to read or just publish your intent to participate, but be sure to include the Big Book Summer Challenge pic above, with a link back to this blog.
  • Write a post to wrap up at the end, listing the big books you read during the summer.
  • You can write progress posts if you want to and/or reviews of the big books you've read...but you don't have to!  There is a separate links list below for big book review posts.
That's it!  Go check out your shelves and your TBR list and sign up below!

(Don't have a blog?  No problem!  You can still participate in the challenge - just leave a comment in the Comment section, stating your goals for the Big Book Summer Challenge or sign up in the Goodreads group.)

Check out my own list of books to read for the challenge.

New this year: I started a group on Goodreads for the 2016 Big Book Summer Challenge, where we can talk about Big Books and our progress on the challenge. If you don't have a blog, you can also use the Goodreads group to sign up for the challenge, post updates, and show which Big Books you are reading!

At the end of the summer, there will be a Big Book Giveaway! After Labor Day, I'll select one name from among the participants (bloggers who leave a link below as well as those without a blog who leave a comment to announce their participation or participate through the Goodreads group) and will offer the winner a choice from a selection of Big Books from my own shelves - probably most of the titles I read this summer and perhaps a few others to choose from.

And help spread the word on Twitter with #BigBookSummer (you can follow me at @suebookbybook).

Be sure to include a link to your kick off blog post (not your homepage):


   

   


Come back to this page during the summer to add a link whenever you review a Big Book or post a progress report:


   

   

22 comments:

  1. Yay for the Big Book Challenge. I have got to finish these review books and we're traveling to islands for our June Travel the World in Books Reading Challenge, then maybe I can tackle a big book!! Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinned to our linkup board.

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    1. Sounds like a busy reading summer for you already! I have a couple of book group books to finish before I begin tackling my Big Books too - hope you will join in!

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    2. How about making the Island Travels a Big Book...?

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    3. I have to see how long the ones I have are. I really want to pick one of my island books from my bookshelf. I've been horrible about reading my own books this year.

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  2. Great! will put together a post .
    Thanks, Sue - looking forward to another Big Book Summer of Reading ...

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  3. Thanks so much for reminding me of this great challenge. I love big books, and I cannot lie. Looking forward to chatting about them with you all summer.

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    1. ha ha - glad to have you in the challenge again this summer, Jane!

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  4. I'll be reading Marvels by Selznick this summer! I am excited to be part of the challenge again :)

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    1. Awesome! That is one of my Big Books for this summer, too, Kellee :) Can't wait to get to it - I am just finishing The Raven King & then I still have a couple of book group books before they break for the summer.

      Once you have your intro post up, remember to come back here to add it to the link-up list!

      So glad you'll be participating again!

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  5. Sorry- I added my review post to the kick off post link up!

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    1. No problem! You can remove it from the kick-off list and add it to the review list - just run your cursor over the entry and click the garbage can icon to delete it. I can't do it but you can always delete your own entries.

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  6. Oh nice, count me in! Going to check which books have over 400+ pages ^_^

    Btw. thank you for stopping by my blog, it means a lot to me <3

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    1. No problem - I really enjoyed your blog & was glad to discover it :)

      Glad you will be joining the fun!

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  7. Ooh great challenge. Over 400 pages is quite intimidating as a summer read, but I used to do that prior to having a kid heh. Enjoy your challenge :) :)

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    1. Just think of it as 2 200-page books - easy! If you change your mind, you are welcome to join at any time before the end of August :)

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  8. Two bloggers are having a Bob Book readathon in August and are looking for cohosts. I thought of you. The details - http://reviewsandcake.com/big-books-and-fake-cake/

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    1. Oooh...sounds like fun! Thanks for the heads up - I will go check it out!

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  9. Thanks for the heads up about your BIG BOOK CHALLENGE.

    I normally do not like challenges, but if it requires only one book and I have a 400 page book, I will participate.

    Thanks, Sue.

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    1. Yes, this is a super-easy one, Elizabeth! Just one book of 400 pages or more (though of course, you can read more if you want). All you have to do is write a short kick-off post & link back here, then get started!

      Sue

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    2. Thanks, just added my kick off post to the linky :)

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  10. Anonymous5:17 PM

    I have finished "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and have posted my book review on my blog - The Reader and the Book and will have it on Goodreads. Thanks for the challenge...a book I have meant to read for years...496 pages!

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  11. Late to get you my update but I did manage to finish two books - one on audio and one in print: And The Mountains Echoed by Khalid Hosseini and A Gentlemen In Moscow by Amor Towles. Thanks for the push!

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