Pulling together a post about my books of the year is always a task I really enjoy – it gives me the opportunity to look back over the year’s posts, and to relive the pleasure every single book has given me. It’s been an extraordinary year of books – the quality has been exceptional, and of the 102 books I’ve read, I gave 91 thoroughly deserved five star ratings on both Amazon and Goodreads. I would really have liked to list all 91, so it’s been quite a challenge to narrow it down to a final top 20 – if anyone was expecting this to be a top ten (or even a rather random top 18, as in previous years!) there was just no way I was ever going to get there this side of Easter. And I have agonised over every single wonderful book I’ve had to leave out – I really did have a top 91.
Here are the books I’ve chosen for my final list… they’re not in any real order (although I will own up to the fact that the first five were always the first five…), and all links are to my reviews.
The Wild Air – Rebecca Mascull
Another Woman’s Husband – Gill Paul
The Winter’s Child – Cassandra Parkin
Her Last Secret – Barbara Copperthwaite
Swimming Lessons – Claire Fuller
At First Light – Vanessa Lafaye
This Beautiful Life – Katie Marsh
A Life Between Us – Louise Walters
Maria in the Moon – Louise Beech
Through The Barricades – Denise Deegan
The Man in the Needlecord Jacket – Linda MacDonald
The Summer of Impossible Things – Rowan Coleman
The Girl I Used To Know – Faith Hogan
Reality Rehab – Lisa Mary London
And I really must add a couple of special mentions:
- There’s not a single book on that list that was published by Choc Lit – but that’s only because I found it absolutely impossible to choose. I just wanted to add that every book I’ve read that they’ve published this year – as in previous years – has been quite outstanding.
- You’ll also notice that there are no Christmas books on the list, although there were some really strong contenders. Every single Christmas book I read this year – and there were many – were of the highest quality ever, and could have made up a list of their own. Long-standing favourite authors and this year’s new discoveries, I salute you all – and thank you for making the run-up to Christmas particularly special.
Was anyone surprised that I only read just over 100 books? It’s all smoke and mirrors! Many blogger friends have read two or three times as many – and I’m really in awe of their achievement. I do need to apologise to several authors whose books I just haven’t managed to read within the timeframe I promised and hoped for – the books are still on my list, and I’ll get there as soon as I can.
It’s been an interesting year on a personal level – and not quite the new dawn and oasis of calm that I’d hoped for after the hell on earth of 2016. First there was the packing up and sale of my family home in Wales, and Mum’s move to sheltered housing here in Wetherby – followed by our aborted cruise holiday and the extended stay in Madeira, with Mum seriously ill in hospital with a pulmonary embolism. After our return – and her near miraculous recovery at the age of 91 – I’ve needed to adjust to a new kind of normal, with her vascular dementia diagnosis and my new role as carer. Books and reviews have sometimes had to become my secondary priority, but always my favourite escape from life’s realities – thank you everyone whose books have given me such joy when life has, at times, disappointed me a little.
Thank you too to those of you who’ve been unfailing in your support over the past year – blogger friends, authors, publishers and readers. I gave up on thanking people on Twitter some time ago, when I realised it was impossible for me to keep up – but I’ve really tried to reciprocate as much as I can, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
All that remains is to wish everyone – and those you love – a most wonderful Christmas, and looking forward to a New Year full of promise for us all… Being Anne will return on 1st January.
Much love, Anne xxx
Wishing you & your mum a very merry Christmas & all the best for 2018 xxx
A great choice of books Anne. I read Snow Sisters and the Man in the Needlecord Jacket and loved both of them. As I have to make a decision on my Goodreads Challenge for next year, you have already given me some ideas to kick start my 2018 reading. Wishing both yu and mum a wonderful Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2018. Jo xx
There are only a couple here still oin my TBR and I agree with every one of your other choices Anne. Here’s to a happy, healthy and peaceful 2018.
Fabulous choices Anne. Happy Christmas to you and your mum. Hope next year is less eventful with more reading time xx
Have a wonderful Christmas Anne. Love to you and your mum. x
What a fabulous list! It’s been an amazing year for books.
Wishing you and your mum a wonderful Christmas, Anne! xx
Wonderful choices and a great reminder of the joy that books bring whatever else is going on in one’s life. Happy festive reading!
Some great choices there and a few which will appear on my list. Merry Christmas to you and your mum Anne, with every best wish to you both for 2018 xx
I’m super impressed with the number of books you’ve read and for all the wonderful support you’ve given to me and so many other authors this year. Some amazing-lookiing books there. My TBR pile is expanding by the minute!
Thank you so much, Anne. Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and an amazing start to 2018 xxx
Wishing you a lovely Christmas, Anne, and a more settled year next year xx
Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2018.
I just ordered 3-4 of these for my holiday reading! Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for including Not Thomas in your list, Anne. Your nomination for the Guardian’s Not the Booker prize brought Not T to a much wider audience than I could ever have hoped for so soon after publication and I’m very grateful for your support – you certainly helped make 2017 a memorable year for me. Thank you for all the hard work you put into your excellent blog and I hope you and your mum have a lovely Christmas and a very happy New Year xxx
Thank you so much for including Her Last Secret, among so many incredible books! Merry Christmas to you and your mother <3
Thank you for your blog, enthusiasm and everything – wishing you both a lovely Christmas and a happy 2018 xxxxx
Have a lovely Christmas and I hope next year is easier…mine will be now I have all the above recommendations to get through!
Thank you, Anne, for choosing ZENKA to be on your list of favorites this year. I am truly honoured to be among such illustrious authors. I hope 2018 will be easier for you. Saying that, you have coped really well with all the up-and-downs that 2017 threw at you! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, love from Alison. xx
2017 has been a miserable year for many of us older bloggers, especially in terms of our aging parents and their failing health. to be able to get back to reading and reviewing is a welcome relief from the stress. i wish you the best for 2018–have a beautiful holiday.
You’ve certainly had a roller coaster of a year. I am in awe of how you manage to review the number of books you do. That’s a fabulous list. Wishing you a very happy Christmas and a successful 2018.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Look forward to seeing you again in 2018.
Thank you everyone! Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas xxx
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Happy New Year, Anne. Here’s hoping that 2018 brings easier times for both of us. Xx
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