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A thread for my 2020 reads...
Book 1: Airhead - Emily Maitlis 
Picked this up on a whim as was on offer in Waterstones. Really enjoyable quick read and a fascinating behind-the-scenes take on news making. Impressive turnaround to add the chapter about Prince Andrew interview to paperback edition!
Picked this up on a whim as was on offer in Waterstones. Really enjoyable quick read and a fascinating behind-the-scenes take on news making. Impressive turnaround to add the chapter about Prince Andrew interview to paperback edition!
Book 2: Killing Commendatore - Haruki Murakami
Taken me far too long to get around to reading this lovely tome. No surprise with the 5 stars for my favourite author; think this has gone straight to no 2 in my list of best books by him. Totally spellbinding.
Taken me far too long to get around to reading this lovely tome. No surprise with the 5 stars for my favourite author; think this has gone straight to no 2 in my list of best books by him. Totally spellbinding.
Book 3: My sister, the serial killer - Oyinkan Braithwaite
Perfectly readable but felt like it wasn’t fully formed. Was expecting it to be more humourous and dark from the blurb so bit disappointed.
Perfectly readable but felt like it wasn’t fully formed. Was expecting it to be more humourous and dark from the blurb so bit disappointed.
Book 4: Book of the Year 2019
Despite owning a physical copy, actually did this as an audiobook because what could be better than effectively an 11 hour edition of your fave podcast? Lots of geeky QI Elves facts and laughs along the way.
Despite owning a physical copy, actually did this as an audiobook because what could be better than effectively an 11 hour edition of your fave podcast? Lots of geeky QI Elves facts and laughs along the way.
Book 5: Middle England - Jonathan Coe ½
LOVED this. Really enjoyed Coe’s writing style and characterisation and as per the reviews this is the perfect “Brexit book”. Wasn’t aware it was the 3rd in a trilogy so will add others to my TBR list. HT to @PhilipJMorris
½LOVED this. Really enjoyed Coe’s writing style and characterisation and as per the reviews this is the perfect “Brexit book”. Wasn’t aware it was the 3rd in a trilogy so will add others to my TBR list. HT to @PhilipJMorris
Book 6: The Five - Hallie Rubenhold
Found this social history utterly engrossing. The life stories of the five canonical victims of Jack the Ripper and how they probably weren’t what you’ve been taught they were.
Found this social history utterly engrossing. The life stories of the five canonical victims of Jack the Ripper and how they probably weren’t what you’ve been taught they were.
Book 7: Death in Danzig - Stefan Chwin
Following my usual travelling tradition so a book set in Gdańsk by a Polish author. A post war story of mass migration. Well formed characters and the language here is *exquisite*, I didn’t want it to end.
Following my usual travelling tradition so a book set in Gdańsk by a Polish author. A post war story of mass migration. Well formed characters and the language here is *exquisite*, I didn’t want it to end.
Book 8: A country in the moon - Michael Moran
A reasonable history of Poland that taught me a few things but a little outdated and the authors neutrality was questionable.
A reasonable history of Poland that taught me a few things but a little outdated and the authors neutrality was questionable.
Book 9: I Am Pilgrim - Terry Hayes
I imagine this is a page turner and utterly engrossing...in different times. Felt a little too close to the bone right now & I found it difficult to pick up!
I imagine this is a page turner and utterly engrossing...in different times. Felt a little too close to the bone right now & I found it difficult to pick up!
Book 10: The Body - Bill Bryson (audible)
I’ve struggled with some of Bryson’s non travel writing before but found this fascinating - maybe doing it on audiobook helped?
I’ve struggled with some of Bryson’s non travel writing before but found this fascinating - maybe doing it on audiobook helped?
Book 11: Before the coffee gets cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Fell in love with the blurb, less so the execution. A nice pleasant plinky-plonky read for a Sunday afternoon but not as good as I was hoping. Felt like it may have been a poor translation.
Fell in love with the blurb, less so the execution. A nice pleasant plinky-plonky read for a Sunday afternoon but not as good as I was hoping. Felt like it may have been a poor translation.
Book 12: Truth to Power - Jess Phillips
Not book 12 (forgot to thread it!) I really enjoy Jess’s writing but for a short book this felt a little lacking in substance; perhaps a tad repetitive.
Not book 12 (forgot to thread it!) I really enjoy Jess’s writing but for a short book this felt a little lacking in substance; perhaps a tad repetitive.
Book 13: The Last Day - Andrew Hunter Murray
Have to admit I wouldn’t have bought this if I wasn’t such a No Such Thing podcast groupie. Pleasantly surprised, well written thriller about a world where the earth has stopped turning - very enjoyable lockdown read.
Have to admit I wouldn’t have bought this if I wasn’t such a No Such Thing podcast groupie. Pleasantly surprised, well written thriller about a world where the earth has stopped turning - very enjoyable lockdown read.
Book 14: The Rosie Result - Graeme Simsion
I love Don, one of my favourite characters ever. I think this is the conclusion of the story (presuming he’s stopping at trilogy) so start from the beginning; well worth it.
I love Don, one of my favourite characters ever. I think this is the conclusion of the story (presuming he’s stopping at trilogy) so start from the beginning; well worth it.
Book 15: Queenie - Candice Carty-Williams
I started this thinking it was a nice “easy read” but the more the storyline developed the more I realised this is a book with some very definite depth.
I started this thinking it was a nice “easy read” but the more the storyline developed the more I realised this is a book with some very definite depth.
Book 16: Where the crawdads sing - Delia Owens
This is one of the best books I have read in YEARS it made me want to deprive myself completely of sleep. The language flows beautifully, the characterisation and plot are perfect. Can’t recommend this enough. Gorgeous.
This is one of the best books I have read in YEARS it made me want to deprive myself completely of sleep. The language flows beautifully, the characterisation and plot are perfect. Can’t recommend this enough. Gorgeous.
Book 17: Lockdown - Peter May
Thrillers are not normally my genre but I’m addicted to May’s books after loving the Black House trilogy. This one written 15 yrs ago is set in a pandemic situation in London but wasn’t published as deemed “unrealistic”.
Page turner
Thrillers are not normally my genre but I’m addicted to May’s books after loving the Black House trilogy. This one written 15 yrs ago is set in a pandemic situation in London but wasn’t published as deemed “unrealistic”.
Page turner
Book 18: Education Exposed - Sam Strickland
Common sense, no nonsense approach to school leadership. The best educational book I’ve read in yonks. Almost ran my highlighter out.
Common sense, no nonsense approach to school leadership. The best educational book I’ve read in yonks. Almost ran my highlighter out.
Book 19: Ironopolis - Glen James Brown
A tale of a working class Northern community facing regeneration. Believable characters and tales of secrets and myths.
HT to @MrNixon12 for the recommendation.
A tale of a working class Northern community facing regeneration. Believable characters and tales of secrets and myths.
HT to @MrNixon12 for the recommendation.
Book 20: The Chain - Adrian McKinty
Pacey thriller, strong concept and plot. Good twists and turns. Perfect Saturday read.
Pacey thriller, strong concept and plot. Good twists and turns. Perfect Saturday read.
Book 21: Witchmark - CL Polk
Disclaimer: this was a book club choice & fantasy really isn’t my genre. This has magic and a very twee LGBTQ love story. I found it an easy read but was utterly disengaged from the story and characters.
Disclaimer: this was a book club choice & fantasy really isn’t my genre. This has magic and a very twee LGBTQ love story. I found it an easy read but was utterly disengaged from the story and characters.
Book 22: It’s not about the burqa - Mariam Khan (Ed)
A collection of essays from Muslim women on diverse topics from love, marriage, sex and divorce to queer identity to feminism. Thoroughly readable, intelligent and absorbing.
A collection of essays from Muslim women on diverse topics from love, marriage, sex and divorce to queer identity to feminism. Thoroughly readable, intelligent and absorbing.
Book 23: The Nickel Boys - Colson Whitehead.
Just superb, an essential read. Colson’s writing is exquisite. Read in one sitting.
Just superb, an essential read. Colson’s writing is exquisite. Read in one sitting.
Book 24: Rodham - Curtis Sittenfield.
What if Hillary hadn’t married Bill? So we’ll written, an engrossing read. There’s a real authentic voice to Hillary’s character such that you have to keep reminding yourself you’re not reading an autobiography. Loved it.
What if Hillary hadn’t married Bill? So we’ll written, an engrossing read. There’s a real authentic voice to Hillary’s character such that you have to keep reminding yourself you’re not reading an autobiography. Loved it.
Book 25: An Utterly Impartial History of Britain - John O’Farrell
Listened to almost all this audiobook and not sure why I persevered, to be honest. The humour is questionable at times and this definitely wasn’t the potted history lesson I expected it to be.
Listened to almost all this audiobook and not sure why I persevered, to be honest. The humour is questionable at times and this definitely wasn’t the potted history lesson I expected it to be.
Book 26: Some kids I taught and what they taught me - Kate Clanchy
A passionate tribute to the profession and the characters we meet along the way. Her love for both the job and the kids shine through every page.
A passionate tribute to the profession and the characters we meet along the way. Her love for both the job and the kids shine through every page.
Book 27: The next person you meet in heaven - Mitch Albom
Loved the original book 15 yrs ago so was hoping that this sequel would live up to the precedent set. Not disappointed. A quick morning read and like the original, amazingly uplifting for a book about death.
Loved the original book 15 yrs ago so was hoping that this sequel would live up to the precedent set. Not disappointed. A quick morning read and like the original, amazingly uplifting for a book about death.
Book 28: The wondrous life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz
Book club read.
If we’re looking for positives...I made it to the end before I threw it in the charity shop box.
Book club read.
If we’re looking for positives...I made it to the end before I threw it in the charity shop box.
Book 29: This book will change your mind about mental health - Nathan Filer
Good and comprehensive introduction to schizophrenia, effectively myth busting some stereotypes.
Good and comprehensive introduction to schizophrenia, effectively myth busting some stereotypes.
Book 30: The Midnight Library - Matt Haig
Adored this, as expected with Matt’s books. Life affirming, enchanting and beautiful throughout, savoured every word.
Adored this, as expected with Matt’s books. Life affirming, enchanting and beautiful throughout, savoured every word.
Book 31: Saving Lucia - Anna Vaught
Not an easy read but well worth the time investment. A fictional story based on four real women committed to a psychiatric hospital in the mid 20th century, including the daughter of James Joyce and Lady Gibson who shot Mussolini.
Not an easy read but well worth the time investment. A fictional story based on four real women committed to a psychiatric hospital in the mid 20th century, including the daughter of James Joyce and Lady Gibson who shot Mussolini.
Book 32: The travelling cat chronicles - Hiro Arikawa
My search for Japanese literature to rival Murakami continues. This is a VERY twee story but a quick read, probably a 3.5 but a bonus half a star for talking cats.
My search for Japanese literature to rival Murakami continues. This is a VERY twee story but a quick read, probably a 3.5 but a bonus half a star for talking cats.
Book 33: A Silent Death - Peter May
Pacey with excellent characterisation and scene setting, as always.
Decent page turner.
Pacey with excellent characterisation and scene setting, as always.
Decent page turner.
Book 34: The Windrush Betrayal - Amelia Gentleman (Audible)
This reads like some apocalyptic horror story, except it isn’t fiction. Written by the Guardian journalist who first broke the stories of those affected. Acts as a testament to the power of quality journalism.
This reads like some apocalyptic horror story, except it isn’t fiction. Written by the Guardian journalist who first broke the stories of those affected. Acts as a testament to the power of quality journalism.
Book 35: Utopia Avenue - David Mitchell
I’m a massive Mitchell fan so always open his books with high expectations. This has absolutely blown me away, got absolutely lost in it. One of those which you want to speed read but also want to take slow to savour every word.
I’m a massive Mitchell fan so always open his books with high expectations. This has absolutely blown me away, got absolutely lost in it. One of those which you want to speed read but also want to take slow to savour every word.
Book 36: The Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman
Flew through this; charming characters, dry humour and a decent (very gentle and ungory) whodunnit.
Flew through this; charming characters, dry humour and a decent (very gentle and ungory) whodunnit.
Book 37: Caesar’s Last Breath - Sam Kean
I love Kean’s books, very readable without scrimping on the actual science. This is the story of the air you breathe with a in-depth look at some of the components from hot-air ballooning to chemical weapons to flatulence.
I love Kean’s books, very readable without scrimping on the actual science. This is the story of the air you breathe with a in-depth look at some of the components from hot-air ballooning to chemical weapons to flatulence.
Book 38: Downsizing - Tom Watson (Audible)
Really interesting and inspirational story of how Tom changed his diet and lifestyle to get his type 2 diabetes in remission.
Really interesting and inspirational story of how Tom changed his diet and lifestyle to get his type 2 diabetes in remission.
Book 38: Burnt Sugar - Avni Doshi 1/2
Struggled to get on with the flowery language here, although settled into it on longer reading sessions. A decent tale of a fraught Mother- daughter relationship
1/2 Struggled to get on with the flowery language here, although settled into it on longer reading sessions. A decent tale of a fraught Mother- daughter relationship
Book 39: This Mournable Body - Tsitsi Dangerembga
The main theme here is isolation so the whole book is written in a detached second person voice. Just realised it’s the 3rd book in a trilogy so may have appreciated more if I’d read the other two?
The main theme here is isolation so the whole book is written in a detached second person voice. Just realised it’s the 3rd book in a trilogy so may have appreciated more if I’d read the other two?
