It’s that time of year to round up the books I’ve read and corral them for grading!
I read 66 books in 2022
Of these, 51 were fiction and 15 non fiction.
I rated them Amazon style with 5 stars, and then gave an extra star to stand out 5 stars which have then gone forward to be my best reads of the year. I haven’t included any of my reference books on this list. That’s for another time.
Of the 50 fiction titles
10 earned the 5 star ‘plus’ award.
17 were 5 stars
16 were 4.5 stars
4 were 4 stars
1 was 3.5 stars
2 were 3 stars
1 was 2.5 and put aside half way through as a did not finish.
Of the 15 non fiction titles I read
6 earned the 5 star ‘plus’ award
9 earned the 5 star rating
Among the fiction books it’s been impossible to separate a standout novel this year because several were on a par and very different genres so I’ve just put them up in lights according to when I read them in the year not in order of preference or enjoyment.
Without further ado and in read order.
The 5 star pluses.
THE GIVER OF STARS By JoJo Moyes. – I read this early in the year and was immersed from cover to cover. Hearing a controversy of plagiarism surrounding this title, I read the other book in the controversy too, which came is a 5 star. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Michelle Richardson. As far as I was concerned there was no charge to answer, and I enjoyed both novels. The story of lady librarians in the Kentucky backwoods during the Depression era, travelling to distant homesteads with satchels of books. Plenty of conflict, drama, and danger.
Next up is another controversial one. JOAN by Katherine Chen. There was a lot of dissatisfaction and grumbling in certain quarters over the lack of historical veracity in this novel about Joan of Arc, but for me this novel felt to have integrity and the right kind of ‘feel’ for the period. It’s an interpretation and just one amongst myriad facets of the same. I was transported back and that is what good historical fiction does. One of my much lower star ratings was given to a novel purportedly set in the 12th century that felt like modern people in fancy dress… So, you pay your money and you take your chance. I loved this one but your own mileage may vary.
WYRD SISTERS by Terry Pratchett. One of his great novels – and one I realised I’d read a long time ago, but it was so good I just had to re-read. The story of Macbeth as you’ve never read it before! A classic.
THE MERMAID OF BLACK CONCH by Monique Roffey. A Caribbean folk tale about a man who captures a mermaid and much more as he discovers himself. Mesmerising. Winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2020
RUN WITH THE HARE HUNT WITH THE HOUNDS – Paul Duffy. 12th century Ireland on the same timeline as my novel The Irish Princess. This is beautifully written – gorgeous, lyrical language and a real sense of time and place, and a deep understanding of the history of the period. Once again, these truly are people of their time and not modern folk dressed up. This deserves to be a bestseller.
THE WHITE HARE – Jane Johnson. I love Jane Johnson’s novels. Whatever she chooses to write about, the subject matter is always absorbing and beautifully written. This time newcomers arrive in Cornwall in the post WW2 1950’s and the deep magic of their new home swiftly weaves its way into their lives. Haunting and luminous. Another one I didn’t want to put down.
REDHEAD BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD – Anne Tyler. This was the first Anne Tyler I have read and certainly gave me a taste for her writing style. A love story with an awkward hero who is his own worst enemy, hidebound to routine – but then that routine falls out of kilter and he has to begin dealing with emotions.
THE GAME OF KINGS – Dorothy Dunnett.
Another repeat read because I’d been asked to write a piece for Dorothy Dunnett’s Whispering Gallery reader and fan group and it was a while (too long) since I had visited with this superb author. There are writers, and then there is Dorothy Dunnett in a league of her own. Once you ‘get’ her, nothing else will do.
BATTLE SONG – Ian Ross
A new to me author. I was asked to read this novel in advance of publication – I’m always a bit dubious about saying yes because I’m not one of those authors that will endorse works just to get my name out there. My contract is always with the reader and I will only ever endorse books I love to bits. Happily Battle Song is one of these. Set in my own period of A Marriage of Lions in the 13th century and covering the same matters, but with a different slant. There is plenty of battle in it, but a lot more going on than that, and it’s vividly and sensitively written as well as being a complete page turner. Look out for it in the spring!
THE CURFEW – T.M. Logan
I met Tim Logan recently at an author evening. I’d not heard of his books before even though he’s a multi million seller and his word has been televised (The Holiday). I like thrillers – writing historical fiction all day, it’s refreshing to read in a different genre during down time. I loved this one – so many twists and turns so that the reader is constantly unseated from their expectations. Edge of the seat stuff!
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Non Fiction 5 Star pluses
THE LIFE OF AN MP – Jess Phillips
Labour Member of Parliament Jess Philipps explains what a working MP actually does – and she is one of the diamonds who actually does her job and cares about her constituents and wider social issues – unlike some. I was fascinated to go backstage at Westminster and into a constituency office to see what the job actually entails.
GUT – Giuilia Enders
As the title suggests, it’s all about our intestines. How they function, what they do. What we can do to improve things – magnificent!
A CHILD OF THE EAST END – Jean Fullerton
Author Jean Fullerton’s auto-biography of her childhood, teen, and early adult years growing up London’s East End. A fascinating glimpse into the 50’s and 60’s of a world largely vanished. Told in a very readable style and very perceptive of human nature.
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TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS – Adam Kay
A slim novella detailing tales of night-shifts on A&E and the wards in the NHS during the season of the year. Having a nurse in the family, I really identified with his narrative, and Adam Kay has such an evocative tragi-comic touch to his writing. Highly recommended.
HOW NOT TO BE WRONG – James O’Brien
I’m a big fan of LBC Radio’s James O’Brien, and his common sense, left of centre approach to life. How not to be wrong is a candid look at how his own views have changed over time and he looks at how he has done that by thinking through the issues and listening to people on the other side of the argument. Some of his persuaders have been callers to his radio show who have helped him think in other ways, – sometimes by a different ‘put yourself in my shoes viewpoint’ and sometimes by their own crass behaviours and prejudices. A hard-hitting makes you stop and think book.
NIGELLA CHRISTMAS – Nigella Lawson
I always love Nigella’s writing style and this one has been no exception. There are so many useful and interesting recipes, especially for seasonal entertaining. Loved it.
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Honourable mentions – the 5 stars: I loved all these too.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Michelle Richardson
Thin Air – Anne Cleeves
Opal Country – Chris Hammer
Conclave – Robert Harris
The Wicked King – Holly Black
Royal Secret – Andrew Taylor
I Know You – Claire McGowan
Miss Benson’s Beetle – Rachel Joyce
False Value – Ben Aaronovitch
Amongst Our Weapons Ben Aaronovitch
Hamnet – Maggie O’Farrel
A Perfect Cornish Christmas – Philippa Ashley
The Queen of Nothing – Holly Black
Cross Burn – Val McDermid
The Catch – T.M. Logan
Walking Among Lions – Brian Wainwright
Honourable mentions 5 star non fiction reads.
Spoon- fed – Tim Spector
How to be Right – James O’Brien
The Book Your Dog Wishes You Would Read – Louise Glazebrook
The power of Habit – Charles Duhigg
Forgotten Skills of Cooking – Darina Allen
25 Things You Need to Know About the Future – Christopher Barnatt
The 8 Week Blood Sugar Diet recipe book – Dr Claire Bailey
The Madness of Grief – Richard Coles
How to be a Liberal – Ian Dunt
At My Table – Nigella Lawson.
Here’s to 2023 – I wonder what I’ll be reading next year and if I’ll beat 66 this time!
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