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Hi SueSo glad you're doing this again. I set my big books aside months ago in anticipation of reading them in the summer. I've set aside three books to start with but hoping I can get to more
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Dubois Honoree Fanone Jeffers
A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
Betty by Tiffany McDaniel.
Hi Sue & Nancy, I'm Julie Ann from Yorkshire in England. Can't believe how quick Big Book Summer has come round again. I've been participating in the challenge for quite a few years. Going to go through my books and pick some portentials, think i'm going to start with The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott.
Nancy wrote: "Hi SueSo glad you're doing this again. I set my big books aside months ago in anticipation of reading them in the summer. I've set aside three books to start with but hoping I can get to more
The ..."
Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Nancy! Happy to hear you've been anticipating it and setting books aside - me, too! I read The Love Songs of WEB DuBois for BBS last year - it is fabulous. Very powerful, with some tragedy and dark stuff - but also plenty of love, joy, and healing. And it's beautifully written (the author is a poet). Hope you enjoy it - I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Julie Ann wrote: "Hi Sue & Nancy, I'm Julie Ann from Yorkshire in England. Can't believe how quick Big Book Summer has come round again. I've been participating in the challenge for quite a few years. Going to go th..."Welcome back, Julie Ann! You have been participating in Big Book Summer for a long time. I looked back while setting this group up and was surprised to see that we've had a BBS Goodreads group for 10 years now! Glad you're looking forward to reading Big Books!
Hello Sue! I watched your YouTube video this morning and I’m so glad you are doing this challenge again. I will post my hopeful books for this challenge on Instagram today. The new merch looks great! This is my third year participating.
Hello, My name is Fern and I am so excited for this event. I have been planning for months. 😁 Thank you so much for hosting this event again this year.
Hi. My name is Mary. I stumbled across this group last summer. I didn't join then, but I read a couple big books. This year I'm excited to join. I've been saving "Lonesome Dove", which I starting today for my first big book this summer.
Hello everyone!Sue, I just watched yours and Melinda’s videos! I’m so glad you are continuing this event. It is one of my favorite Booktube events of the year. This will be my third year participating and I have several books in mind as well as a couple buddy reads lined up. Happy reading everyone!
This is my 3rd Big Book Summer. I just watched the Book Tube videos. Already have three big books picked out.
Kristin wrote: "Hello Sue! I watched your YouTube video this morning and I’m so glad you are doing this challenge again. I will post my hopeful books for this challenge on Instagram today. The new merch looks grea..."Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Kristin! And thanks - I was excited to create some new designs and new items. Can't wait to see what you hope to read!
Pianomans wrote: "Hello, My name is Fern and I am so excited for this event. I have been planning for months. 😁 Thank you so much for hosting this event again this year."Welcome back, Fern! So glad you've been looking forward to it (me, too!)
Mary wrote: "Hi. My name is Mary. I stumbled across this group last summer. I didn't join then, but I read a couple big books. This year I'm excited to join. I've been saving "Lonesome Dove", which I starting t..."Welcome to Big Book Summer, Mary! So glad you decided to join the fun! Lonesome Dove is SO good! You're in for a treat - enjoy!
Nicky wrote: "Hello everyone!Sue, I just watched yours and Melinda’s videos! I’m so glad you are continuing this event. It is one of my favorite Booktube events of the year. This will be my third year participa..."
Thanks, Nicky! Welcome back to Big Book Summer! Big Book Buddy Reads add to the fun - enjoy!
Tashinka wrote: "This is my 3rd Big Book Summer. I just watched the Book Tube videos. Already have three big books picked out."Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Tashinka! Can't wait to hear about your books. Enjoy!
My name is Janet and this is my second year. I had so much fun last year and found the group really usefulfor suggestions and keeping me on track. I just finished a very big book Les Miserables so I’m starting with one that is just over 400 pages….the new book from Douglas Stuart John of John. Others on my radar are The Calamity Club and The Brothers Karamazov.
Janet wrote: "My name is Janet and this is my second year. I had so much fun last year and found the group really usefulfor suggestions and keeping me on track. I just finished a very big book Les Miserables so..."
Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Janet! Sounds like a great reading plan for the summer. I've been hearing a lot of good things about John of John (I haven't read any Douglas Stuart yet, but I'd like to). I also want to read Calamity Club - loved The Help! I listened to Brothers Karamazov on audio last summer, and I have yet to tackle Les Mis, but lots of my friends have just read it. Enjoy!
Hi, all! I’m so thrilled to be returning once again this year !
Life is back on track this year, and I have been exercising and reading, reading reading.
I’m Allen. I am a substitute librarian clerk. It’s so nice to be in a career filled with books.
I do have a few big books I’d like to tackle. A Little Life and Paradise, as well as The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett .
While I was in here last year, some of you may remember that I was helping take care of my dad. He has made a full recovery.
My mom also had a stroke this January
but has also made a full recovery, and there is no brain damage or anything lost from that.
Allen wrote: "Hi, all! I’m so thrilled to be returning once again this year !
Life is back on track this year, and I have been exercising and reading, reading reading.
I’m Allen. I am a substitute librarian..."
Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Allen! Good to "see" you again and so happy to hear that both of your parents have made a full recovery. It takes a lot out of you to care for an aging parent.
Sounds like a great plan for Big Book Summer!
Hi! My name is Karen and the is 6th year participating in Big Book Summer Challenge. I soon will be starting Shogun ( traveling to Japan in October)but right now I'm finishing Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I haven't decided what other 400+ pages books I hope to read this summer. I'm known as a mood reader so I will update here when I decide what other books I'll be reading this summer.
I'm Linda. This will be my 8th year participating in Big Book Summer Challenge. Today I finished Les Misérables as a buddy read with several others.My intent is to start reading A Suitable Boy to finish by the end of the year, but I figured I'll have more than 400 pages done within the summer reading period.
So glad to be back for my third year of the big book challenge. After I finish the book I am reading I am going to jump into either Lonesome Dove. At Deaths End or something else. Oh and my name is Eric. I am an avid reader. I live in the twin cities area in Minnesota. When not reading. I love to travel with my wife. And I love pizza. Enjoy those big books.
Hello everyone. I'm excited to be taking part in Big Book Summer 2026. I'm about 15% into The Count of Monte Cristo, and it's such a compelling and easy read.
I’m Abby from New Jersey. This will be my third year participating in the big book summer challenge. Hoping to read 3 big books-one in each of June, July and August. Haven’t picked my books yet. Happy Reading to all!
Hello all, I am Kate. I think I first participated in 2017 as I have a Goodreads shelf from that summer. I live on a small island in NYC and am mostly retired. I have a few possible Big Books for this summer and am starting with Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor.
Karen wrote: "Hi! My name is Karen and the is 6th year participating in Big Book Summer Challenge. I soon will be starting Shogun ( traveling to Japan in October)but right now I'm finishing Les Miserables by Vic..."Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Karen! I've been considering Shogun as an audio this summer - I've been meaning to read it for years. Reading it before a trip to Japan sounds amazing!
Linda wrote: "I'm Linda. This will be my 8th year participating in Big Book Summer Challenge. Today I finished Les Misérables as a buddy read with several others.My intent is to start reading [book..."
Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Linda! I've heard of A Suitable Boy but don't know much about it. Enjoy!
Eric wrote: "So glad to be back for my third year of the big book challenge. After I finish the book I am reading I am going to jump into either Lonesome Dove. At Deaths End or something else. Oh and my name ..."
Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Eric! I read Lonesome Dive for BBS 24 and was blown away by it! One of the best novels I've ever read. Last year, I read the sequel, Streets of Laredo, and this summer, I'll read Dead Man's Walk, book 1 in the series (LD is actually book 3). Enjoy - you're in for a treat!
Julia wrote: "Hello everyone. I'm excited to be taking part in Big Book Summer 2026. I'm about 15% into The Count of Monte Cristo, and it's such a compelling and easy read."Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Julia! I enjoyed Count of Monte Cristo - a "fast" read for such a huge book!
Abby wrote: "I’m Abby from New Jersey. This will be my third year participating in the big book summer challenge. Hoping to read 3 big books-one in each of June, July and August. Haven’t picked my books yet. Ha..."Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Abby! That sounds like a great plan!
Kate wrote: "Hello all, I am Kate. I think I first participated in 2017 as I have a Goodreads shelf from that summer. I live on a small island in NYC and am mostly retired. I have a few possible Big Books for t..."Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Kate! I'm not familiar with that book, so I look forward to hearing about it. Enjoy!
Hi Everyone, I am Sanchita from India. I came across this challenge yesterday and really liked it. So I am participating in it. This is the first time for me. I am looking forward to picking up the big books and reading them.
Hi everyone, I’m Robin from Sacramento, California. I have a bunch of hopefuls for this year’s challenge. I’m going to start with Lonesome Dove which has been on my TBR forever. Afterwards I hope to watch the television miniseries adaptation as I’m also participating in the Book Cougars #pagetoscreen year of reading
Hi all! I'm Deb from Chicago. Ready for another Big Book Summer! I'm starting out with Tom's Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski. Enjoy your reading!
I'm Kathy from Chicago and ready for my 3rd Big Book Summer. Last year I finished 7; I hope with some extra days this year I can get to 8 this summer. Plus, the first day of Big Book Summer (May 22) was my birthday, so I'm taking that as a good luck sign!Currently I've got 3 Big Books going:
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen--on audio--a many times re-read; for my birthday week.
South Riding by Winifred Holtby and
All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot--reading a few chapters here and there and hope to finish this summer.
Have a great reading Summer, everyone!
Chicago tuning in- this is Colleen from Chicago! It’s been a few years since I participated actively though I am a lurker and hear the Book Cougars talk about their Big Book Summers each year. Thanks so much for hosting, Sue and Melinda! I am either reading or considering reading these:
The Making of Americans by Gertrude Stein,
Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (might be interesting alongside the USA’s 250th birthday)
We the People by Jill Lepore
The Future is Female: 25 Classic Science Fiction Stories by Women volumes 1 & 2 (each fits the requirement)
The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson
And we will see what happens. I am a project reader until I’m a mood reader, which maybe just means I’m a mood reader :).
Happy Big Book Summer to all!
Sanchita wrote: "Hi Everyone, I am Sanchita from India. I came across this challenge yesterday and really liked it. So I am participating in it. This is the first time for me. I am looking forward to picking up the..."Welcome to Big Book Summer, Sanchita! So glad you found us and decided to join the fun! Feel free to come back to the group all summer long to share what Big Book(s) you are reading!
Robin wrote: "Hi everyone, I’m Robin from Sacramento, California. I have a bunch of hopefuls for this year’s challenge. I’m going to start with Lonesome Dove which has been on my TBR forever. Afterwards I hope t..."Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Robin! You are in for a treat - I read Lonesome Dove for BBS 24, and it blew me away - laughed out loud, sobbed my eyes out, and couldn't put it down. I read the sequel, Streets of Laredo, last year and am reading the first prequel, Dead Man's Walk, this year. My husband and I watched the mini-series last summer, while we traveled through Montana! Enjoy :)
Deb wrote: "Hi all! I'm Deb from Chicago. Ready for another Big Book Summer! I'm starting out with Tom's Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski. Enjoy your reading!"
Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Deb! Enjoy!
Kathy wrote: "I'm Kathy from Chicago and ready for my 3rd Big Book Summer. Last year I finished 7; I hope with some extra days this year I can get to 8 this summer. Plus, the first day of Big Book Summer (May 22..."Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Kathy! Sounds like a great plan! I've been meaning to read P&P for years (I've only read Emma by Austen), but I never thought of listening to it. I'm looking for a classic to listen to on audio this summer, so maybe that will be it - for Jane Austen July (another reading event on Booktube).
Colleen wrote: "Chicago tuning in- this is Colleen from Chicago! It’s been a few years since I participated actively though I am a lurker and hear the Book Cougars talk about their Big Book Summers each year. Than..."Welcome back to Big Book Summer, Colleen - wow, 3 Chicagoans in a row! That sounds like a great plan, with lots of relevant titles for America's 250th. And thanks for reminding me of The Wayfinder! I LOVED The Orphan Master's Son and was so excited to hear he had another novel out. Enjoy them all!
Hello everyone! I'm Joe from Western New York.
Hello. I'm Pam from Michigan. This is my first time participating in this event. I'm starting with The Hunter by Tana French.
Hi I'm Barb from Massachusetts. This is my third year with this challenge. I love the low key nature of it and really enjoy seeing everyone's choices.
Hi Everyone, I am Ann and I live in Berkeley, California. This is my 3rd year participating in the Big Book Summer Challenge. It is fun to connect with other doing the challenge and to enjoy Big Books that I am want to read.
Thanks, Sue, for bringing back my favorite book challenge! This is my third year participating and I'm looking forward to long summer days relaxing and reading BIG BOOKS! I'm either starting with King Sorrow by Joe Hill or God of the Woods. Last year I finally tackled Lonesome Dove, thanks to this challenge.
Suzan wrote: " I've been meaning to read P&P for years (I've only read Emma by Austen), but I never thought of listening to it. There are 2 excellent unabridged recordings: one by Juliet Stevenson and another by Rosamund Pike. Enjoy! It's how Jane Austen introduced her novels to her family--she read them aloud to the family as she was working on them. They're meant to be read aloud, as that was the fashion at the time while the listeners did their "work" (sewing basket).
I just learned about the Big Book Summer Challenge. I’m so in! I preordered The Calamity Club and have been so intimidated by its 634 pages! Now I have the push I need to get into it. I have several classic big books in my pile of possibilities! Thanks so much! I look forward to getting to know the community!
I’m Helen from Pennsylvania. This is my first time participating in Big Book Summer. I’ve been thinking and planning for a few months. Right now I’m finishing Christine by Stephen King. I don’t know if that will count since I started before Begin date. Next read will probably be Anna Karenina- I have wanted to read for so long. Thanks Sue for hosting this event and thanks to Melinda for co- hosting.
Hi everyone,I'm Thina from South Africa so technically I'd be participating in the Big Book Winter. This will be my first time participating in Big Book Summer so I'm so excited, I think the concept is brilliant. I'm currently reading the Starless Sea, the main big books that I want to target have not yet been determined, but Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is high up on that list. I'm new to Goodreads so I'm so happy to have found this challenge. Happy reading everyone!!!
I'm Sue Jackson. I've been hosting Big Book Summer for 14 years, first on my blog and also on my YouTube channel for the past 5 years. I live in Delaware with my husband, and we have two grown sons, 28 and 31 (and two weddings coming up!). Besides reading, my husband and I love to travel with our camper and spend time outdoors.
Now it's your turn!