I’ve reluctantly come to terms with the fact that I’m not going to break any records with the number of books I read each year. I successfully reached double figures in 2021, but with only a little to spare. Below is a list of 10 of the books I enjoyed most over the past 12 months.
The Spy and The Traitor
Probably my favourite book of the year, this is a superb piece of narrative nonfiction. Ben Macintyre’s book is a thrilling tale of Cold War espionage and is fully deserving of all the acclaim it has received.
Conqueror
The fifth and final book in Conn Iggulden’s Conqueror series. This story follows Kublai Khan’s attempts to step out from the shadow of his grandfather Genghis.
Us
David Nicholls’ book is an enjoyable tale of a man going through marital turmoil. Last year’s BBC adaptation was good, but the book was better.
Travels with a Donkey
I was gifted this book by a kind shop owner and it turned out to be an unexpected joy. It describes Robert Louis Stevenson’s experiences while travelling through France in the late 1800s. Examples of his wordcraft are scattered throughout, elevating the narrative from a dull diary into an amusing snapshot in time. Four years later, Stevenson published Treasure Island and the seeds of its success are present in this non-fiction account.
The Accidental Footballer
The only sports book I read this year, Pat Nevin’s autobiography recounts his experiences growing up in Glasgow and playing football for Chelsea and Everton.
On Writing
This is a sacred text for many authors and it’s easy to see why. I haven’t read any of Stephen King’s fiction books, so I was less interested in his own writing background, but the pearls of wisdom he dispenses regarding good writing practices are ones to live by.
Treasured Islands
A fascinating book that celebrates the geography, people and history of the islands around the British coastline. Read a full-length review of Peter Naldrett’s book here.
Perfect Sound Whatever
A completely different book to his previous work, in Perfect Sound Whatever James Acaster puts forward his argument that 2016 was the best ever year for music. As a huge fan of the comedian, I would have liked to gain a little more insight into his own life, aspects of which are only occasionally alluded to.
Five People You Meet in Heaven
I picked this up in my neighbourhood library box. The story is told in a relatively formulaic way, but this doesn’t detract from what it is: a thought-provoking and uplifting fable. A perfect palate cleanser.
Conversations with Friends
I continued thinking about the four characters in Sally Rooney’s debut novel long after I finished reading it. I now can’t wait to see the small screen adaptation.
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