Top Nine for 2021

It’s the year I discovered Barbara Comyns and her outstanding book A Touch of Mistletoe.

As always, these favourites are chosen by heart, not head.

Did I mention Barbara Comyns? I’ve since gone on to read several of her books and Avril Horner’s biography of Comyns, A Savage Innocence. She remains a highlight on my shelf.

Clockwise, but in no order of preference.

A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter (memoir): Enchanting. High adventure in understated prose. Wept for Mikkl. Have since read this a second time.

The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante: Raw and intimate, this book cast a dark, disquieting spell over me. Loved it. Bought it for a friend who was horrified by it. So, there you go.

As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee (memoir): It’s been a while since I read a book with a highlighter, but I turned these pages bright yellow. Extraordinary prose. Five stars.

Excellent Women by Barbara Pym: Chuckled like a kettle on the boil all the way through. Have gone on to read a few more by her.

Malamander by Thomas Taylor (middle-grade): Better than hot chips on a blustery day. Fabulous seaside setting with monsters. Lovely prose. Have gone on to read two more in the series.

A Touch of Mistletoe by Barbara Comyns: One of my great literary loves started right here. On a line level, Comyns puts horrible spiders at the end of lovely cups of tea.

Journey to the Last River by the Unknown Adventurer: With torn, creased, chewed, and blood-spattered, this book expands the notion of what a children’s book can be. Gorgeously illustrated.

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell: Tremendous. Loved it.

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata: Fast, funny, and dark, with hints of horror. Excellent voice.