The Books I’ve Read This Year

15th October 2013 4 Comments

“Reading maketh a full man; and writing an axact man. And, therefore, if a man write little, he need have a present wit; and if he read little, he need have much cunning to seem to know which he doth not.” Francis Bacon: 16th century scientific genius who lived locally to me and died following an unfortunate experiment a frozen chicken…

This year I’ve made a really determined and concentrated effort to read and I thought it would be a nice to record all the Fiction that I’ve read. Obviously this doesn’t include the myriad of children’s picture books and early readers i’m destined to read. I must admit I am seriously time limited what with childminding, looking after my kids, running the house and all the admin that this blog entails, so I am slightly disappointed I haven’t managed more. But I think this makes for an interesting list. My non fiction is mainly Ackroyd, Marr, books on Victorian childhoods, Victorian London and a variety of craft books. That might make another post!


I’m not quite sure what this list says about me and my interests! I must admit I would find it really hard to tell you which book I enjoyed the most this year. I loved reading The Snow Queen and The Last Runaway which were both quite visual and thought provoking. The Night Circus was amazing, Bridget Jones made me laugh and The Great Gatsby changed my mind about classic books. I’m keen to find out more about what happens to Rupert and Jake from Riders and Lauren St John really inspired a love of horsey books in me. I loved the Phillipa Gregory books and they gave me lots of food for thought on how to structure the novel I’m attempting to write. Khaleid Hosseini made me cry and appreciate life in the UK and Zadie Smith reminded me that life in London can be very lonely even if you are wealthy.

Overall, I haven’t read a really duff book this year. Thank you to my book club friends, they picked many of these and some of them I would never have even picked up. Do you have any suggestions for me? I love to hear your recommendations so I can add them to my Christmas list.

Claire Walsh

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4 Comments

  • isabelthomas 15th October 2013 at 8:11 pm

    Poor old Francis, falling into special measures and being usurped by Samuel Ryder! I'm v impressed at your list, as I have only managed one novel this year and that was the pink edged horse one (to use it's official name). That is why I am rubbish at book clubs!

  • Penny Carr 16th October 2013 at 11:02 am

    Recently finished the red house by mark Haddon which was good. Still a few books to write up on my blog, but not enough time for as much reading as I'd like right now!

  • sparkle 17th October 2013 at 8:06 am

    Got some great ones for you (read on the train so have read about 60 books since got Kindle for birthday) Fave are, in no order: <br />Gone Girl <br />Wonder (a teen book but worth reading as an adult)<br />The Universe Versus Alex Woods<br />The Sea Sisters<br />Before i go to sleep <br />Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry<br />Life, Death, Prizes. <br /><br />Hope you find time to read some of

  • Emma @ My Book Corner 17th October 2013 at 1:43 pm

    I&#39;d definitely second Wonder – amazing book. As is The Fault In Our Stars, a YA novel, which is currently being made into a film ~ so now is definitely the right time to delve into that one!

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