As the year draws to a close, I’ve created a list of the best books I have read this year. Two won the Booker Prize (this year’s winner, Orbital, and 2011’s The Sense of An Ending). I enjoyed them both, but was left underwhelmed by another much lauded classic, Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis. The books to beat the latter to a place in my top 10 were:
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
A superbly paced political thriller that has regained a place in the zeitgeist with Sky’s new TV adaptation, in which Eddie Redmayne plays the Jackal.
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
A graphic portrayal of forbidden love and the terror of life in the trenches.
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
I read this clever alternative history novel shortly before the US election. A decade ago the narrative might have seemed fanciful, but the return of populist politics means the book now feels more relevant than ever.
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
A thought-provoking book with the best ending I have read for a long time.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
A wonderful modern take on Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. Now I must read the Poisonwood Bible, which has sat unread on my bookshelf for more than 20 years.
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
A thoroughly enjoyable coming-of-age tale of a 35-year-old man living in London. The writing is instantly recognisable as Nick Hornby’s and, having previously read Fever Pitch, I enjoyed the not-so-subtle Arsenal reference in the name of one of the leading loves of Rob’s life.
Long Island by Colm Tóibín
As someone with an Irish passport and who loved Brooklyn the movie, I expected to enjoy this book a lot. The characters all rang true, but the plot was disappointing and the ending left me frustrated.
The Firm by John Grisham
Despite a slow start, the tension built throughout the novel and the reader was kept guessing as to how everything would play out. I saw the film years ago, so I couldn’t remember the ending, yet I still found it difficult not to imagine Tom Cruise as the protagonist Mitch McDeere.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
As a man in my mid-30s I realise I’m not the target audience for this book about two young Italian girls, but I was still surprised by the esteem in which it is held by so many readers. It’s a well told story, but not one that made me feel compelled to read any of the sequels.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
An ambitious book that delivers thanks to its relentlessly beautiful prose. The relative lack of plot means it would make a terrible film, but as a well researched novel, it’s excellent.
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