Review of 2018

Another varied year dominated mid-year as is becoming traditional-by the Booker prize list. Around this I have read a couple of good biographies-particularly enjoyed the Balzac. On the non fiction side I particularly enjoyed a history of France by John Julius Norwich.
The Booker was won by Milkman, set in Northern Ireland at the time of the troubles. However, my favourites were Washington Black and The Overstory and I would find it difficult to choose between them.
In other fiction I have listened to a couple of Dickens-very enjoyable as ever. Have also read the English Patient which was good but I think my favourite has to be a short novel called The Mussel Feast set at a German meal table.

Love is Blind

by William Boyd
This book set at the end of the nineteenth century is the tale of Brodie Moncur, a Scottish piano tuner. It is peopled with marvellous characters some of whom I would have liked to see and hear more of.
The story follows Brodie all over Europe and beyond and although I felt the story stalled at times I always was interested to find out what happened next. 7/10

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine

by Gail Honeyman
an accounts assistant in Glasgow, with a past, this book is very funny and very sad in equal measure as Eleanor tries to come to terms with the present,
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic. One of the most enjoyable reads of the year. 9/10