2026 Big Book Summer Challenge discussion

No sign-ups are required to participate in Big Book Summer, but in this thread, you can introduce yourself to the other group members.

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!

Hi Sue
So 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 Sue
So 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 useful
for 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 useful
for 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.