As we're six days into 2025, I'd better share what I read last year before it becomes ancient history! I managed to finish a total of 105 books, the most I've read since I started keeping a record three years ago.
1. As Meat Loves Salt - Maria McCann
2. Simplicity or Splendour, Arts & Crafts Living: A Carruthers & M Greensted
3. Phoebe Anna Traquair (1852 - 1936) - Elizabeth Cumming
4. The Air Loom Gang - Mike Jay
5. William Morris by Himself (Edited by Gillian Naylor)
6. Beyond Black - Hilary Mantel
7. A Scandalous Life: The Biography of Jane Digby - Mary S Lovell
8. The Final Confession of Mabel Stark - Robert Hough
9. The Overnight Kidnapper - Andrea Camilleri
10. Pre-Raphaelite Women - Jan Marsh
11. A Crowning Mercy - Bernard Cornwell
12. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes - Edith Hamilton
13. New London Style - Chloe Grimshaw
14. English Passengers - Matthew Kneale
15. The Pre-Raphaelites - Jane Farrington
16. Haven - Emma Donaghue
17. The Pre-Raphaelites - Timothy Hilton
18. A Room Made of Leaves - Kate Grenville
19. The Secrets We Kept - Lara Prescott
20. César Manrique - Fernando Ruiz Gordillo
21. Confidence - Denise Mina
22. Clytemnestra - Constanza Casati
23. The Hemlock Cure - Joanne Burn
24. Stoner - John Williams
25. The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson
26. The Hypnotist - Lars Kepler
27. A Son of the Circus - John Irving
28. Luckenbooth - Jenni Fagan
29. Mackintosh - Tamsin Pickeral
30. The Caliph's House - Tahir Shah
31. The Heavenly Table - Donald Ray Pollock
32. Hit Man Anders and the Meaning of It All - Jonas Jonasson
33. Playing Cards in Cairo - Hugh Miles
34. More Tales of the City - Armistead Maupin
35. Further Tales of the City - Armistead Maupin
36. Michael Toliver Lives - Armistead Maupin
37. The Heroines - Laura Shepperton
38. Psyche and Eros - Luna McNamara
39. The Blue Afternoon - William Boyd
40. The Witching Tide - Margaret Meyer
41. Sistersong - Lucy Holland
42. Babycakes - Armistead Maupin
43. Costume at Castle Howard - George Howard
44. Significant Others - Armistead Maupin
45. Sure of You - Armistead Maupin
46. Mary Ann In Autumn - Armistead Maupin
47. The Days of Anna Madrigal - Armistead Maupin
48. The Night Listener - Armistead Maupin
49. Northern Spy - Flynn Berry
50. The Shape of Water - Andrea Camilleri
51. Mona of the Manor - Armistead Maupin
52. Ripley Under Ground - Patricia Highsmith
53. On a Greek Island: A Personal Experience - Fionnuala Brennan
54. The Eye in the Door - Pat Barker
55. Maybe The Moon - Armistead Maupin
56. The Thread - Victoria Hislop
57. Bridge of Clay - Markus Zusak
58. Those Who Are Loved - Victoria Hislop
59. In Memoriam - Alice Wynn
60. The Book of Secrets - Anna Mazzola
61. This Other Eden - Paul Harding
62. Strange Flowers - Donal Ryan
63. Learned by Heart - Emma Donaghue
64. Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield
65. The Son Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway
66. The Farm - Tom Rob Smith
67. Driving Over Lemons - Chris Stewart
68. The Island - Victoria Hislop
69. I Can't Stay Long - Laurie Lee
70. The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
71. The Olive Tree: Travels in Greece - Katherine Kizilos
72. Wolf Winter - Cecilia Ekbäck
73. Maestra - LS Hilton
74. Gathering - Anne Enright
75. The Muse - Jessie Burton
76. The Photographer - Craig Robertson
77. The Fourth Shore - Virginia Baily
78. How To Be Both - Ali Smith
79. Counting The Stars - Helen Dunmore
80. The House of Doctor Dee - Peter Ackroyd
81. The Centre - Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi
82. The Figurine - Victoria Hislop
83. The Fates - Rosie Garland
84. The Girl With All The Gifts - M.R.Carey
85. The Trials of Marjorie Crowe - C.S Robertson
86. Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
87. The Shadow Of Perseus - Claire Heywood
88. Lady Tan's Circle of Women - Lisa See
89. The Secret Photographs - Jacquie Bloese
90. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane - Lisa See
91. The Secret Hours - Mick Herron
92. We That Are Young - Preti Taneja
93. The Lost Swimmer - Ann Turner
94. The Last Devil to Die - Richard Osman
95. Pure - Andrew Miller
96. Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse
97. Raga Mala - An Autobiography by Ravi Shankar
98. Miss Benson's Beetle - Rachel Joyce
99. Blue Water - Leonora Nattrass
100. The Owl Killers - Karen Maitland
101. The Photographer of the Lost - Caroline Scott
102. The Bellwether Revivals - Benjamin Wood
103. A Place of Greater Safety - Hilary Mantel
104. Mermaid Singing - Charmian Cliff
105. A Terrible Kindness - Jo Browning Wroe
2. Simplicity or Splendour, Arts & Crafts Living: A Carruthers & M Greensted
3. Phoebe Anna Traquair (1852 - 1936) - Elizabeth Cumming
4. The Air Loom Gang - Mike Jay
5. William Morris by Himself (Edited by Gillian Naylor)
6. Beyond Black - Hilary Mantel
7. A Scandalous Life: The Biography of Jane Digby - Mary S Lovell
8. The Final Confession of Mabel Stark - Robert Hough
9. The Overnight Kidnapper - Andrea Camilleri
10. Pre-Raphaelite Women - Jan Marsh
11. A Crowning Mercy - Bernard Cornwell
12. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes - Edith Hamilton
13. New London Style - Chloe Grimshaw
14. English Passengers - Matthew Kneale
15. The Pre-Raphaelites - Jane Farrington
16. Haven - Emma Donaghue
17. The Pre-Raphaelites - Timothy Hilton
18. A Room Made of Leaves - Kate Grenville
19. The Secrets We Kept - Lara Prescott
20. César Manrique - Fernando Ruiz Gordillo
21. Confidence - Denise Mina
22. Clytemnestra - Constanza Casati
23. The Hemlock Cure - Joanne Burn
24. Stoner - John Williams
25. The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson
26. The Hypnotist - Lars Kepler
27. A Son of the Circus - John Irving
28. Luckenbooth - Jenni Fagan
29. Mackintosh - Tamsin Pickeral
30. The Caliph's House - Tahir Shah
31. The Heavenly Table - Donald Ray Pollock
32. Hit Man Anders and the Meaning of It All - Jonas Jonasson
33. Playing Cards in Cairo - Hugh Miles
34. More Tales of the City - Armistead Maupin
35. Further Tales of the City - Armistead Maupin
36. Michael Toliver Lives - Armistead Maupin
37. The Heroines - Laura Shepperton
38. Psyche and Eros - Luna McNamara
39. The Blue Afternoon - William Boyd
40. The Witching Tide - Margaret Meyer
41. Sistersong - Lucy Holland
42. Babycakes - Armistead Maupin
43. Costume at Castle Howard - George Howard
44. Significant Others - Armistead Maupin
45. Sure of You - Armistead Maupin
46. Mary Ann In Autumn - Armistead Maupin
47. The Days of Anna Madrigal - Armistead Maupin
48. The Night Listener - Armistead Maupin
49. Northern Spy - Flynn Berry
50. The Shape of Water - Andrea Camilleri
51. Mona of the Manor - Armistead Maupin
52. Ripley Under Ground - Patricia Highsmith
53. On a Greek Island: A Personal Experience - Fionnuala Brennan
54. The Eye in the Door - Pat Barker
55. Maybe The Moon - Armistead Maupin
56. The Thread - Victoria Hislop
57. Bridge of Clay - Markus Zusak
58. Those Who Are Loved - Victoria Hislop
59. In Memoriam - Alice Wynn
60. The Book of Secrets - Anna Mazzola
61. This Other Eden - Paul Harding
62. Strange Flowers - Donal Ryan
63. Learned by Heart - Emma Donaghue
64. Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield
65. The Son Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway
66. The Farm - Tom Rob Smith
67. Driving Over Lemons - Chris Stewart
68. The Island - Victoria Hislop
69. I Can't Stay Long - Laurie Lee
70. The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
71. The Olive Tree: Travels in Greece - Katherine Kizilos
72. Wolf Winter - Cecilia Ekbäck
73. Maestra - LS Hilton
74. Gathering - Anne Enright
75. The Muse - Jessie Burton
76. The Photographer - Craig Robertson
77. The Fourth Shore - Virginia Baily
78. How To Be Both - Ali Smith
79. Counting The Stars - Helen Dunmore
80. The House of Doctor Dee - Peter Ackroyd
81. The Centre - Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi
82. The Figurine - Victoria Hislop
83. The Fates - Rosie Garland
84. The Girl With All The Gifts - M.R.Carey
85. The Trials of Marjorie Crowe - C.S Robertson
86. Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
87. The Shadow Of Perseus - Claire Heywood
88. Lady Tan's Circle of Women - Lisa See
89. The Secret Photographs - Jacquie Bloese
90. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane - Lisa See
91. The Secret Hours - Mick Herron
92. We That Are Young - Preti Taneja
93. The Lost Swimmer - Ann Turner
94. The Last Devil to Die - Richard Osman
95. Pure - Andrew Miller
96. Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse
97. Raga Mala - An Autobiography by Ravi Shankar
98. Miss Benson's Beetle - Rachel Joyce
99. Blue Water - Leonora Nattrass
100. The Owl Killers - Karen Maitland
101. The Photographer of the Lost - Caroline Scott
102. The Bellwether Revivals - Benjamin Wood
103. A Place of Greater Safety - Hilary Mantel
104. Mermaid Singing - Charmian Cliff
105. A Terrible Kindness - Jo Browning Wroe
My books are always second-hand, mostly charity-shopped but, if I'm after something specific, I'll buy a used copy from AbeBooks. I use a Kobo (ereader) when I'm travelling.
My top ten reads of 2024 were, in descending order:
- In Memoriam - Alice Wynn
- The Heavenly Table - Donald Ray Pollock
- The Photographer of the Lost - Caroline Scott (a recommendation by my friend Lynn, thank you!)
- The Eye in the Door - Pat Barker
- Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
- Blue Water - Leonora Nattrass
- Mermaid Singing - Charmian Cliff
- Stoner - John Williams
- English Passengers - Matthew Kneale
- As Meat Loves Salt - Maria McCann
For years, Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong has been my favourite novel set in WWI but In Memoriam has taken its place. It's appalling, beautiful and devastating in equal measure and will live with me for a long time.
I've not been further than the Kinky Shed all day but that's no reason not to get dressed. I'm wearing an original Chelsea Girl cheesecloth maxi dress from 1969 (not to be confused with the label of the same name released by River Island in the noughties). I'm wearing a turquoise and copper pendant given to my Mum by an ex-boyfriend in 1966 - my fabulous friend Sheila has the same one - which I've strung it on my gold muff chain (as seen on this blog post). The turquoise bar pendant was £2 from the BHF charity shop in Walsall last week.
My first book of 2025 is The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff, a compelling story of the Mormon sect & polygamy, combining a modern day murder mystery with actual historical testament. Apparently, there's a film based on the book.
Have you read any of the books I read last year, what was your favourite book of 2024 and what are you reading right now?
Let me know in the comments!
I've read NONE of your book list but I'd LOVE to read Raga Mala - An Autobiography by Ravi Shankar. That sounds great!!
ReplyDeleteI mostly buy mine second hand or from independent bookshops, Vinted or eBay. Never Amazon! Occasionally WHSmith or Waterstones or passed on from a friend.
The new turquoise bar is v pretty! Just finished Hamnet, about to start Return To the Riversea
Hello Kezzie! I've never read any Maggie O'Farrell, I've seen her books in charity shops but never picked one up, assuming it was chick lit - how wrong I was - I've just googled Hamnet and it sounds really good!
DeleteI was reading books like the L Shaped Room, Up The Junction and Alfie when I was still at junior school , I think the only children's fiction I've ever read is Enid Blyton, Mary Norton or Beatrix Potter (my Mum's era!)
I borrowed the Ravi Shankar book from a friend at the baths otherwise I'd send it your way. I was a bit lost with the technical references to musical instruments and scales but really enjoyed it, a life well lived! xxx
Hi Vix.... if you're loving your book.... have you watched 'Under the banner of heaven' ? A mini series on ITVx. It sounds like it's based on the same story. I found it gripping! Vicki T.
DeleteOh, thanks for that, Vicki! I've not seen that advertised. x
DeleteI know that I read some fabulous books last year, but I'm afraid I can't remember which ones. I'm going to try and make a list on my phone. So far this year I've read Neil Gaiman's 'The Ocean at the end of the Lane' and am now on North Woods by Daniel Mason. All my books are either picked up for free, passed onto me or from the library. This approach serves me well as it keeps introducing me to new writers. Once I've finished I pass them on again. Am always reading lots of non fiction books too. Enjoyed the Victoria Hislop ones and read the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver which I really disliked. Arilx
ReplyDeleteI had to start listing what I'd read as I kept buying the same books in charity shops. You've got off to a good start with your reading already.
DeleteI really enjoy Victoria Hislop's books, it's not until today that I discovered she was married to Ian Hislop. I wasn't keen on The Poisonwood Bible but loved The Laguna and Demon Copperhead was exceptional. xxx
105 books - that is amazing Vix!
ReplyDeleteI read 40 books last year and was proud of myself for that number.
I haven't read any of the books you listed, but at the moment I'm reading a Marilyn Monroe book. Actually this post has reminded me to put down my phone and crack open a book! X
Forty's a very respectable figure, Jess! I don't like people to challenge themselves to read a certain number of books, I'd rather enjoy them at my leisure. It's too easy to lose hours scrolling, isn't it? xxx
DeleteThrilled to see English Passengers - Matthew Kneale in your top ten, I love that book. Have you read Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor (Sinéad's brother)? Even though I read it more than 20 years ago, it stays with me, I highly recommend it. Happy New Year to you and Jon from Australia.
ReplyDeleteHello Lynette! I loved Star of The sea, I think I must have read it around the same time as you and it s probably the book responsible for my love of novels set aboard boats. I often see it in charity shops and now you've mentioned it, I must re-read it. I had no idea Joseph was Sinead (RIP) O'Connor's brother. xxx
DeleteNot a one, but I'm ashamed to say how little I read last year. I think it was under 16 books. I'd love to dive into a good list so will book mark this.
ReplyDeleteThink of the time you'll have to read once you retire, Sam! xxx
DeleteThat's amazing Vix that you've read so many books, well done!!
ReplyDeleteI love that even at home you dress very nice!!
Your rings are amazing!! Unfortunately in 2024 I had little time and read few books!
I hope in 2025 to read more (it is one of the goals of the year).
Be well Viχ and have a good time!
Thanks,, Katerina! Getting dressed up every day is part of my nature and it seems a crime, with so many clothes. not to wear them! I hope you find the time for more reading in 2025! xxx
DeleteIt sounds bizzare but I have been reading these massive best of sc fi books . I love them so much as they are complied by different writers some good well some meh. But they are really good. I have gone off Crime a bit which is a shame I did snag a copy of zandra rhodes book for Xmas so I can’t wait to read that
ReplyDeleteHello Allie! I'm not usually a fan of sci-fi but loved The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R.Carey, a zombie post-apocalyptic tale that made me cry at the end! Like you, I've had my fill of crime and Scandi Noir, I think I did them to death during Lockdown! xxx
DeleteSome interesting titles on that list, and I will check some of them out. I used to read at least one book a week, but since retiring 2 years ago and now with way more time I seem to read less. Last year I read quite a lot of American politics books (trying to understand the MAGA mindset) but am now onto what I call light reading - crime and thrillers. Someone gave me Susie Steiner's novels, so well written and so sad her premature death.
ReplyDeleteHello J! I'm fascinated by the MAGA mindset, too - I have to tear myself away from social media platforms and calm down with a book. I mostly read crime and thrillers for years and still love a good espionage thriller. I'm off to Google Susie Steiner, I'm not familiar with her. xxx
DeleteWow! That's impressive. The only books I've managed to read lately have been textbooks. Xx
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I struggle with textbooks! I can only read non-fiction during the day, I can't take in the dates and annotations in the margins at bedtime! xxx
DeleteI've taken to using our local library and seldom buy books any more. Currently reading my way through the Eve Dallas series of books. Good gritty murder detective stories. Also enjoying the author Lee Child .
ReplyDeleteI used the library to download audiobooks when I had Iritis last year! I read a couple of Lee Child/Jack Reacher books a few years ago, he does tell a good story. I'm not familiar with Eve Dallas, I shall have to investigate further! xxx
DeleteThat is a really good total of books to have read in a year, and many more than I managed. We have read none of the same books, but it's always good to see other people reading lists AND their bookcases. There's something fascinating about other people bookcases, or stacks of books isn't there. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love peeking at other people's bookcases, too! They give such a telling insight into someone's character. xxx
DeleteThe books from your list that moved me the most was In Memoriam and Demon Copperhead. I believed in all of the characters and wanted to rescue each of them, especially the boy in DC.
ReplyDeleteHello Carole, like you I believed in the characters in both, they felt like friends and I didn't want either book to end. xxx
DeleteHappy New Year, Vix! I managed to read 118 books in 2024 and had read 17 of yours. I must look out for that Alice Wynn book; I loved Birdsong, too. I only received 2 books (both Persephone books) for Christmas which was a bit disappointing, but am postponing reading them (delayed gratification...) as I have a Norman Collins 'Children of the Archbishop' that I've just started and will follow that with yet another Mark Billingham 'Tom Thorne' series; number 16, I think. My 2 favourite books I read in 2024 were; The Bee Sting by Paul Murphy and The Friendly Ones by Phillip Hensher. I also absolutely loved reading and watching the Mick Herron 'Slow Horses' series.
ReplyDeletexxx
Happy New Year Vronni, it's great to hear from you! You always rack up an impressive number of books and I now you won't be disappointed by In Memorium.
DeleteI shall see if I can track down your favourites from last year, we tend to like the same things, don't we?
Mick Herron is amazing, I was worried when I first heard they were going to televise Slow Horses thinking that it wouldn't live up to the books but I needn't have worried, it certainly lives up to Herron's writing! xxx
Currently reading my new Xmas pressie 'Biba: The fashion brand that defined a generation ' and, boy, does it take me back. Just want to jump into the book and relive it all again!!Have ordered 'In Memoriam' from the library, although 'Birdsong' lives long in my mind.It's great to see that so many people are still turning to books for enjoyment.xx
ReplyDeleteThat Biba book sounds great, if only we had a Tardis to go back for a visit!
DeleteI didn't think anything would rival Birdsong - although Pat Barker's Regeneration trilogy comes very close, but In Memorium blew me away and Jon loved it, too.
Readers are my tribe, I'm suspicious of anyone who claims not to read books! xxx
I didn't read as much as I would have liked last year; I definitely need to get my prescription changed! I have a pile of books waiting for me. Some books I race through and others I like to savour. I don't really bother to keep count.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I tend to avoid overly melancholic books, I am drawn to The Photographer of the Lost from your list. That sounds like a very rewarding read. xxx
Downloading a few audiobooks from the library when I had Iritis last year was a lifesaver, they certainly saved straining my good eye - although it all depends on who the narrator is.
DeleteI thought of you when I read Photographer of the Lost, my copy was a download or I'd have sent it your way! xxx
First of all, thanks for the earworm, I've got Handsome Devil playing in my head as I type!
ReplyDeleteFrom your list, I think I've only read The Thirteenth tale, but I've got one or two of them in my reading pile, one of them being Jenni Fagan's Luckenbooth :-)
I'm currently reading the final pages of The Paying Guests, savouring every single page as I'm very reluctant to finish it ... I'll be on the lookout for In Memoriam, as I loved Birdsong! xxx
Wow that is a lot of books. I have not read any of these but I have a few of them on my TBR list, especially Demon Copperhead and a few of the Lisa See books.
ReplyDeleteReading enriches life.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading at the moment the biography from Alexej Nawalny.
2024 was my favorite book My Year of Rest and Relaxation from Ottessa Moshfegh.
A very bizarre story.
Happy New Year! This list is inspiring! I will definitely be looking for some of these. As always, thank you for sharing some of your life with the world. Here are 2 new to me recommended reads: by Shelby Van Pelt (2022) Remarkably Bright Creatures. An immersive, inventive and funny fiction with depth and whodunit. By Deborah Larsen (2002) The White. Based on the true story of Mary Jemison, born on a boat to America in 1743, who at 12 was abducted and adopted into a Seneca Indian family. Mary was interviewed late in life, and how I wish I could find a copy of her own telling of her story that I could afford! https://www.donaldheald.com/pages/books/38224/james-e-seaver/a-narrative-of-the-life-of-mrs-mary-jemison-who-was-taken-by-the-indians-in-the-year-of-1755-when-only
ReplyDeleteWell you put my 2024 list to shame but you have given me some new titles to look up. I've just finished Two Way Murder by E C R Lorac which I very much enjoyed and am currently ploughing through Fargo Rock City which ahs been next to the bed for a couple of years now!
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't read any I would recommend Kate Morton, I love her books particularly The Secret Keeper. The Clockmaker's Daughter is based loosely on Kelmscote Manor.