This Boy by Alan Johnson (2013) – Alan Johnson is arguably the best recent leader Labour never had and this work is an exceptionally humane and moving account of the author’s childhood in London in the 1950s. Excellent on the changing social and racial fabric of post-War London.
2015 · Annual selections
Books of the Year 2015
Dear All,
In time-honoured fashion, please find below the books that I have enjoyed reading most during the past year. I continue to average around one book a week, helped by a busy travel schedule that has seen me touch four of the world’s continents during 2015, visiting countries as diverse as Andorra and Australia. Meanwhile journeys in the UK have seen me reach both Land’s End and Leeds. My approach to travel is fairly binary: when I am not sleeping, I am reading and vice-versa. At home, there has been ample time to read in the evenings (it’s been nine years and counting since we owned a television…). Whether it is simple escapism or a quest to learn more about human nature and the world, I can think of few other more pleasurable activities.
Despite these generally positive observations, I have found it a curious year for reading, characterised more by lots of ‘good’ books rather than by just one or two truly ‘great’ books. Perhaps I need to go back to the classics (Russian literature is on the agenda for 2016, partly as we plan to travel there to mark both mine and Julie’s 40th birthdays…). Another approach might be to consider more non-fiction. At present, my ratio is about nine novels to each work of non-fiction, so there is clearly scope for improvement. Maybe it’s a sign of age. That said, in terms of being memorable, three of my non-fiction reads perhaps stand out more than have many of the novels read during the past year.
Non-fiction highlights –
David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell (2014) – I find Gladwell one of the best authors on behavioural psychology and this work makes a persuasive case for questioning received wisdoms and also on why underdogs can and do prevail.
Boyhood Island by Karl Ove Knausgaard (2014) – Another account of childhood (I fear perhaps this is what being a father does to one…). Knausgaard’s work is almost Proustian in its reach and ambition, marvelling at the mutability of time. I empathised with many of his frustrations described in the novel, highlighting that ambiguous zone between the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood.
Fiction highlights (top-ten, ranked in order) –
1
Frog Music by Emma Donoghue (2014) – a wonderful piece of historical fiction set in Gold Rush San Francisco. At times reminiscent of Angela Carter, the work also shows how little we know about people yet also the lengths we may go to in order to help them.
2
The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing (1988) – a contemporary fable. If there is a moral, then it is be careful what you wish for…
3
My Antonia by Willa Cather (1918) – a beautifully poignant work about the mystery and joy of simply being alive (thanks to Raficq for the recommendation).
4
An Open Secret by Carlos Gamerro (2012) – a very clever conspiracy theory novel about the discovery of truth set in 1970s Argentina. I did not see the ending coming.
5
What Was Promised by Tobias Hill (2014) - a great account of London life set across three generations and premised on the idea that cities give us collision. The work centres on both the literal and metaphorical crossing of lives.
6
A Man of Parts by David Lodge (2011) - makes a strong case to revisit HG Wells, a talented but misunderstood literary great.
7
A Short Gentleman by Jon Canter (2008) – highly funny. The key protagonist is a very English version of Kennedy Toole’s Ignatius Riley (thanks to my Dad for the recommendation).
8
Not That Sort of Girl by Mary Wesley (1988) – very enjoyable, again focusing on the topic of how little we know about others (and they about us).
9
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (2006) – shockingly compelling. Wind Gap, where the work is set, reminded me at times of Twin Peaks. A great (if slightly rushed) ending that I did not fully foresee.
10
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (1996) – urban fantasy; a totally alternative and novel perspective on London. Perhaps strained the bounds of credulity at times, but a wholly unique and compelling vision.