It's been a good year for reading and the first one where I've kept a record of all my books.
2012 saw the completion of my English Lit degree. It was the year I learnt to love Middlemarch and think that anything less than 600 pages constituted a short book. I began my A Level studies with Heart of Darkness more than twenty years ago and finished my degree with the same, perhaps a little wiser but certainly better read.
This year I also signed up for the Classics Challenge, selecting fifty classic books to read over the next three years. My favourite so far has been Graham Greene's Brighton Rock, partly for its pace but mainly for its characterisation of Pinkie, the teenage gang leader. Villains are so much more interesting than the good guys, don't you think?
I have fellow book bloggers to thank for my next two choices. Firstly there's the discovery of Elizabeth Taylor, in particular Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont, which impressed me with its sensitive portrayal of old age, both sad and humorous. Taylor is, I think, a fabulous example of a writer who shows rather than tells and I very much admire her understated style. Secondly, I learnt that I can enjoy nature writing, at least in the company of Robert Macfarlane and his book The Wild Places. I'll certainly be dusting off my walking boots but, lacking his astonishing hardiness, I will be waiting for better weather.
A Dickens Day at Lancaster Library persuaded me to try Tomalin's biography of Dickens. I have it on audiobook and I dip into it every time I want to be inspired by his remarkable energy.
Contemporary fiction hasn't had much of a look-in this year, but I must mention The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. It's a moving and magical tale of an elderly childless couple build a snow child that comes to life. It would make a very good read for the chilly winter months.
So that was 2012. With a shelf-load of new books and the perfect reading room, there's a lot to look forward to in 2013.
Here's wishing you and yours all the very best for the year ahead.
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A few weeks ago Lancaster library hosted a Dickens Readers Day. I nearly didn't go, but I'm very glad I did. From a choice of work...
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For the past few weeks I've felt as though I've been living in some kind of creative desert. I haven't written any prose ...
Happy New Year, Karen! I hope it's a wonderful one for you. I do love reading people's highlights, and it sounds like it was a very successful year for you. I have sort of held off reading The Snow Child because I feel I've heard too much about it, but if you really liked it, I might sneak it back on the list!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you Litlove! I hope that 2013 is a better year for you.
DeleteI know what you mean about hearing too much about a book. I feel the same about Mantel's new book.
I love reading the best of 2012 list of other bloggers! Graham Greene and Tomlin are two writers I will put on my list 2013. Gelukkig Nieuwjaar 2013!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy them both and a Happy New Year to you too!
DeleteThe Snow Child is in Amazon's Kindle sale till 7th Jan. I've indulged! ;) And in a pile of other Kindle books too! Eeek! Must begin to behave in the new year!
ReplyDeleteI think I may have found your blog via Dove Grey Reader? Am enjoying following your reading (and other) thoughts.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year, and Happy Reading, from Liverpool.
So glad you're enjoying the blog, Maggie, and thank you for commenting.
DeleteI haven't looked at the Kindle sale yet, but isn't it great to have some good reading lined up for the dark winter months ahead?
Wishing you all the best for 2013.
A Happy New Year Karen and I hope one of full of good books as last year. You are the second person who has mentioned 'The Snow Child' so that is definitely going on the list for 2013. It seems very strange to think that that is now this year and not next. Still, at least here it has dawned bright and sunny. I shall consider it an omen.
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