A Very, Very Late 2016 in Review
I was going to do a long in-depth post detailing my thoughts on each book I read last year, but then I realised that would be way too long, and I can’t fully remember what I thought of them all. I can always come back and do dedicated reviews and discussions of the more interesting books in the future, if I can still remember enough of my initial thoughts by the time I get around to that. Instead, I’m going to give snippet reviews of everything I read. I can’t guarantee that they’ll be helpful, but they should be an accurate representation of my reactions.
I read 14 books last year, which may not see like very many to some, but I’m pretty sure it’s a record for me (up on 6 in 2015, and that’s when I started counting). I made a conscious effort to vary my reading a bit more, or at least to read more short story collections and non-fiction (I think I only squeezed one of those in though).
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín: Why is this book about me, but in the 1950s? This is weird. Excellent transcription of the anxious mind, and of the emotions of 150+ years of Irish emigration. (Would recommend. The film is also worth a watch.)
Room by Emma Donoghue: Panic. Terrifying and wonderful. Jack’s narration threw me a little after reading Brooklyn, but it’s perfect. (Read this, and then watch the film.)
The Big Short by Michael Lewis: I still have no idea what’s going on, but I do know the 2008 crash was definitely caused by buying and selling, or betting on, IMAGINARY THINGS. Or something like that. I definitely involved imaginary things though. Insane. Need to reread it at some point. (Would recommend - better than the film, if more confusing.)
Dubliners by James Joyce: A Masterpiece. Brilliant. Haunting and chilling. “A Painful Case,” “Clay,” “The Dead.” I get shivers just thinking about these stories. (Must-read. Especially for aspiring writers: Read this, and despair because you’ll more than likely never be this good.)
The Safety of Objects by A.M. Homes: Strange snapshots of suburbia. Very Strange. I picked this collection up randomly, didn’t know anything about it, but I did end up enjoying most of the stories. (It’s not bad.)
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: The original female-centric dystopian. Not many females would want this dystopia. People in general shouldn’t want it. Not only is this beautifully written, I think it’s a pretty important read. (Read it, and watch the Hulu series.)
Stone Mattress by Margaret Atwood: Short stories told from the perspectives of various middle-aged to elderly characters (I should probably call them ‘mature,’ but some of them really are not). Some interesting stories, but I don’t think I was in a place to enjoy it fully. It’s not really the kind of subject matter I’m into at the moment. (Worth a read if you like Atwood, and if you want a glimpse into your future.)
Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy: The combination of (flowery) prose narration and (western-dialect) dialogue felt a bit disjointed. The story itself was about always being a few steps behind in pursuit of a goal. Reading it felt like there should have been a better way to get there, and a better way to tell it. An ill-fated Odyssey that didn’t really hold a candle to The Road. (Maybe I just didn’t get it. I’m still going to check out some of his other stuff.)
Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin: A serial killer in Edinburgh, my erstwhile home? Yes, please! I mean, not in reality, obviously, but in a witty, fast-paced, 1980s debut of Inspector Rebus, absolutely. (Sure he only lived over the road, I can’t not read it.)
Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing by David Morrell: a well-thought-out how-to guide for aspiring writers from the creator of Rambo. Focuses on practicalities from picking up the pen to publishing (this section is probably a bit out-dated now). Replete with warnings not to enter if you can’t commit. (Worth a read for aspiring writers, practical advice.)
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco: Detective Monks in the 1300s. A translation of a translation of a lost manuscript of an assistant Detective-monk unravelling the mystery of multiple suspicious deaths in which he and his master become entangled. Did I mention the detective-monks?! (I realise that’s more of a synopsis than a review, but who would need more?!)
Asking for It by Louise O'Neill: This book should probably be on the secondary school curriculum. It’s got issues but deals with an important topic (consent) in a sensitive manner and, at the very least, it provides a good starting point for open discussions about sex, relationships, consent and other issues, especially among young people.
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami: I’ve heard lonely isolated 30-something men who are otherwise successful is an issue in Japan. I don’t really have, or remember having, any really strong feeling about this. It was pretty slowly paced, and slow going to get through, considering the length. I’m not sure those are really bad things, however, since the main character is “colourless” (sorry America, can’t spell it your way unless it’s in the title). My experience of reading it reflected what was going on inside the character’s head. I think I also just wasn’t in the mood to fully appreciate a book like this when I picked it up, so poor timing maybe. (If you like Murakami already, I’m sure you’ll like it.)
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett: A Discworld spin on a powerful coven. Hilarious characters and antics. If you like any other Terry Pratchett books you’ll like this.
All in all, I think 2016 was a pretty great year for me in terms of reading. Perhaps if I had done this sooner (or even jotted down some thoughts at the time) these mini reviews might have been more helpful. I was just trying to enjoy reading, though.
Let me know your thoughts on any of these books! And, if you think you know of something I should read based on this list, please leave your recommendations!
