The Coast of Bohemia (1950) – Edith PargeterĪ travelogue about a 1948 trip to Czechoslovakia by a woman best known for writing mystery novels (under her pen name of Ellis Peters) might not appeal to everyone but for me this book was wonderful. It is beautifully told and shockingly perfect for a first novel.Ĥ. Inspired the story of the Snow Maiden, Ivey weaves a magical story of a struggling, childless couple living in the Alaskan wilderness and their love for the girl who appears from nowhere one wintery day. This year, I finally picked up her first novel and found it just as wonderful and captivating. Ivey’s second novel, To the Bright Edge of the World, was one of my favourite books of 2016. In a year full of both travel and travel reading, this collection of Don George’s writing was a wonderful inspiration. The Way of Wanderlust (2015) – Don George They are bubbly and fun and a welcome reminder that Crompton could be both those things (and not just the author of needlessly repetitive and melodramatic family tales).Ħ. Felicity – Stands By (1928) – Richmal CromptonĪbout as far from great literature as you can get, these humorous stories about the adventures of sixteen-year old Felicity brightened up a relatively difficult point in my life. I adored it, quickly read the sequel which came out this month, and am already eager for the final book in the trilogy (which is being released in August).ħ. Sweltering in a Tuscan summer, I read this beautiful fantasy novel and escaped to the cool world of medieval Russia, a place where magic and fairy tales all come to life in the most suspenseful way. The Bear and the Nightingale (2017) – Katherine Arden

Hamilton, a sports journalist, is a clear and thorough biographer, and does full justice to a fascinating and inspiring life.Īn enthusiastic and eclectic collection of pieces Dirda wrote about the books he loves, his immense love of used book stores (and hours spent therein), and other things sure to delight passionate readers.Ĩ. This excellent biography of Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner and Christian missionary who was immortalised in Chariots of Fire, was the first book I read in 2017 and remained one of my favourites. Here are the ten that really stood out:ġ0. It wasn’t a spectacular reading year for me (too many comfort reads and too little quality during the first half of the year, certainly) but there were still plenty of stellar titles to choose from. There is nothing so hopeful as welcoming a new life into a family and it was a very cheering way to see out the year. I had the chance to travel widely and experience things I’d been dreaming of for years, and, best of all, I became an aunt. But, despite its challenges, it did hold some amazing moments. Well, we’ve reached the end of a year I would rather not repeat.

Richmal crompton