Loved, Hated and Honourably Mentioned

I finished 35 books last year and here are some thoughts about it all

I’ve mentioned previously the list I keep of the books I’ve read. Well, this year I’m doing something about it.

Reflecting back on my list, most of the books I consumed would probably be considered low-brow: I succumbed to the tidal wave of romantic fantasy (romantasy) and enjoyed (nearly) every second of it. But in amongst the rabble, there were some standouts, particularly from other genres.

I set out in the year excited to expand my reading habits to other genres. I believe in challenging oneself to read widely, but also believe in reaching for a book that calls to you in the moment. Looking back on my list and the overwhelming representation of those in the fantasy genre, I clearly wanted to be transplanted into another world. Perhaps because there were so many awful things going on in our own world; but I also cannot deny that I just enjoy the genre.

Those about which I felt meh

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I read this earlier in the year, having chosen it for its beautiful cover, and impressed by some of the reviews for other books by the author, but found the plot line somewhat lacking. I didn’t find the relationships between the characters very believable, and the most compelling character was the one we were all supposed to hate. I finished the book, having committed my nascent bookclub to reading it, but felt it was more of a chore than anything else.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Yeah, I read this one - or, well, listened to it. I was kind of desperate to fill the void left by the Crescent City novels by Sarah J Maas that I let booktok (i.e. reels from TikTok on instagram) dictate what I should read next. I enjoyed listening to it in the moment, but now that some time has passed, I don’t think I really got much out of it and didn’t find the story or the characters particularly memorable.

Honourable mentions

Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky

This was a wonderful novella that masterfully spliced together the story of princess embarking on a quest to save her people and a futuristic scientist from space to show how fantasy and science fiction worlds collide.

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari

I read this while on holiday in Japan, and I could not have read it at a better time. I had very little access to internet, and so my phone sat like a dumb brick in my bag for most of the trip . The book is such a wide-ranging, well-researched and supported exposition on our collective inability to pay attention. If you’ve been wondering why you can no longer pay much attention to the things that should matter, or blame yourself for not sticking to the limits you set on yourself to avoid your phone, have a read.

Cultish: The Language of Fanatacism by Amanda Montell

I have been fascinated with language for as long as I can remember, and it is often difficult to find accessible books, but this one was excellent. Have you ever wondered why people get sucked into fitness regimes like CrossFit? What about Multi-Level Marketing schemes? Or - everyone’s favourite - cults?? This book explains how language is power, and scepticism is your most useful defence.

The best books I read this year

The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx

What a brilliantly wrought novel. It very quietly reels you in and leaves you feeling like you’ve known Quoyle and his brood, the Aunt, the town your whole life.

The Night Circus and The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Anything this woman produces, you can bet your bottom dollar I will read it. Both of these books are so beautifully crafted, so vibrant and tender that I felt bereft after closing the last pages.

Other notable takings

On Christmas Eve, my husband and I went to see Poor Things AND WOW WHAT A FILM, WHAT A PREMISE, WHAT A CAST! I have been excited about this adaptation from the book by Alisdair Gray (which I have been trying, and failing, to get my mitts on) for many months, since the official trailer came out, and boy did it not disappoint.

This movie is full of sex, explorations of the human psyche and a forensic lens on toxic masculinity. I cackled throughout, found myself in awe of the brilliance of Emma Stone’s Bella Baxter, left the cinema knowing I’d watched the movie of the year.

This coming year - I want more of that. More of the insane, less of the boring and repetitive.