My Year in Books

The year isn’t quite over yet, but here’s what I’ve read so far in 2022:

The Last London, Iain Sinclair

Sinclair is one of my favourite writers and London is my favourite subject matter, so I’ve read nearly every book he’s written about the world’s greatest city- and the passion of my life. This was another great one from Sinclair.

A Tomb with a View: The Stories and Glories of Graveyards, Peter Ross

I actually love visiting cemeteries and always find time to visit one in whichever city I’m exploring. This close look at one particular gravestone from cemeteries around the UK was an enthralling read.

Hotel du Lac, Anita Brookner

I work my way through the Man Booker Prize winners, so this one came up on my list. Good, but not terribly memorable, in my view.

The Past, Tessa Hadley

I had read another book by Hadley and really enjoyed it, so this one entered my queue, mainly because I really love books by female British writers.

At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails, Sarah Bakewell

I absolutely loved this book. It was all about the lives and relationships of Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and their circle of writer and artist friends in Paris during the 1930s.

The Garden Party and Other Stories, Katherine Mansfield

I like reading books by Commonwealth writers, particularly those from Australia and New Zealand, so that is why I sought out this collection of short stories. My partner is also a Kiwi, so I was curious to read something from his homeland’s literary canon.

A Thousand Ships, Natalie Haynes

I absolutely loved this book and could barely put it down! One of the best books I’ve ever read and easily one of the best from this year.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This book had me genuinely sobbing at times- and wondering what it would be like if I had the chance to revisit a person from my past to have one last conversation. A deeply moving read.

I Can’t Stay Long, Laurie Lee

Laurie Lee is one of my favourite travel writers, and I especially like his reflections on growing up in England in a time gone by. Life just isn’t like that anymore, and it’s fascinating to read about how it once was.

Chums: How a tiny group of Oxford Tories took over the UK, Simon Kuper

I studied at Oxford, so I was pretty curious to read this. Kuper certainly paints the current Tory leadership in an unflattering, but honest light, tracing the roots of their policies back to their days at Oxford.

Small Things Like These, Claire Keegan

This short book was a contender for this year’s Man Booker Prize, and after reading it I understand why. A tiny book, but it packs a powerful punch. I’d happily read it again.

The Silence of the Girls, Pat Barker

The Booker-winning author dazzled with her retelling of the Iliad from the point of view of women. This was another one that I could hardly put down. I’m looking forward to reading her follow-up, The Women of Troy.

The Woman Destroyed, Simone de Beauvoir

Three short stories from a giant of French literature, all with female characters as the focus.

London Clay, Tom Chivers

No subject matter is more enthralling or joyful to read about than the great love of my life- London. Chivers, in my opinion, established himself as a worthy successor to the giant of London histories, Iain Sinclair.

The Years, Annie Ernaux

I added this book to my list after Ernaux was announced as this year’s winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature- and I’m glad I did.

Nietzsche in Turin, Leslie Chamberlain

I read this book about the last few years of the great philosopher’s life while I myself was in Turin. I really enjoyed this, but there's so much more to learn about Nietzsche still.

Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, Camille Laurens

This book, all about the ballerina of the iconic statue by Degas, was recommended to me by a friend at work and is my current read.

What was in your reading list this year? What will you be reading next year??