I enjoyed writing this post last year so I thought I would do another quick and snappy recap on the books that I read last year.
1. A Keeper by Graham Norton … Full of mystery, similar to Norton’s first book and having the plot based in Ireland gave me an extra bit of enjoyment out of the story.
2. Normal People by Sally Rooney … huge hype around this book last year, but I was still taken aback with how emotionally invested I felt towards the characters in such a short space of time. I can’t wait to see the television adaption that’s coming out later this year!
3. Go set a Watchman by Harper Lee … I put off reading this book for ages because I thought I might find it boring. It turned out to be an easy read but not one with a particularly memorable story line.
4. The Miseducation of Cameron Post … Set in the early 90’s, the story follows a young teen who is sent to a gay conversion treatment center. A vividly written story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
5. One Plus One by Jojo Moyes … as always a comforting love story with infectious charm.
6. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn … a captivating and creepy novel about a journalist returning to her home town to investigate the horrific death of a school girl.
7. The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri … I had the pleasure of interviewing Leferi about this exact book. A beautiful and bittersweet story about a couples journey as refugees from Syria to the UK.
8. Educated by Tara Westover … a hard one to avoid last year as this book seemed to be everywhere. Undoubtedly an interesting read about how education can shape and change our world and what it’s like if you’re deprived of knowledge. I’ve heard mixed reviews but I personally didn’t get pulled in by how the author told her story and at times it lacked emotion.
9. When breath becomes air by Paul Kalanithi … this book came hugely recommended. An incredible true story of one man’s journey to becoming a doctor only to be diagnosed with terminal cancer at the height of his profession. After the tears have settled, it really gives a sense of reflection on life.
10. Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney … I read this book soon after Normal People. The blurb of her books never give much away but once again Rooney delivered complicated characters, that you’re never quite sure what they’ll do next.
11. Woman who fight back by Stacey Dooley … stories from Dooley’s time as a documentary maker and her encounters with women from around the world, all with extraordinary stories. A great topic but at times I felt like I was trudging along with Dooley’s storytelling abilities.
12. A Girl is a Half-formed thing by Eimear McBride … all told through the inner monologue of a young girl from her toddler years to her teens. Written in broken sentences and scattered thoughts, a dark book and a hard read at times.
13. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah … one of the best autobiography’s I’ve read so far. I learnt so much from this book and for once it didn’t feel like a forced attempt by a comedian to make their life sound humorous.
14. The Girl Before by JP Delaney …the selling of a house and the mysterious death of the previous tenant. A thrilling book all the way through, but the ending was a real disappointment.
15. M Train by Patti Smith… made up of what feels like random diary entries, it wasn’t what I expected, yet there was a hypnotic flow to the writing which made the book a soothing read.
16. Everything I know about love by Dolly Alderton … I initially thought this would be more of a self help book. Instead it was filled with funny and poignant anecdotes from Alderton’s life, that all highlight the most important relationship she’s had in her life.
17. The Hypnotists Love Story by Liane Morairty … a woman starts dating a man who admits he has a stalker who happens to be his ex-girlfriend. An amazing suspenseful lead up that ends up falling flat at the last hurdle.
Catherine Devane 