War and Peace

by Tolstoy
Have listened to this over the last 3 months as an audiobook and it is epic in so many ways.
The thing Tolstoy seems to do effortlessly is move from the large scale of the franco russian conflict to the lives of individual russians and their concerns and daily lives. His detailing of character is wonderful and even his fatalistic philosophising gives you pause for thought-although he does go on a bit! 9/10

What a carve up!

by Jonathan Coe
Part satire on the 1980's and 90's life in Britain, part out and out farce this is the story of the Winshaw family who represent everything dreadful about Thatcher's Britain. They have a butler who goes by the wonderful name of Pyles.
There story is told by Michael Owen, an author down on his luck and whose life is far from staightforward.
It is very funny in places and a good bedtime read 8/10

Voices from the Dark Years

by Douglas Boyd
This was a survey of what it was like in France after the German occupation.
It looks at the wider picture but ties the narrative together by looking at particular families and individuals and the way they dealt with life in this difficult period for France. I found this approach helpful and offered some fresh aspect on living ordinary lives in difficult times. I found some of the editing a bit flawed but I am being picky 7/10

The Hunter

by Richard Stark
This is the first Parker novel and it is hard to describe. I enjoyed it and was willing Parker on even though he is a killer, a woman beater, an out an out criminal. It bugs me that I cannot put my finger on why you end up rooting for him, but you do (or at least I did). Maybe it's the Soprano's thing. Why would you ever like Tony Soprano, but who can't help loving him. Definitely worth a read 7/10

A history of the Barricades

by Eric Hazan
A whirlwind tour of the French barricades from 1588 to 1871-the 1968 barricades were different. It is mostly about Paris but points out that they were used across France and other parts of Europe. It is a book that sets you hunting for more information (I have acquired 2 Victor Hugo boos on the back of it). I enjoyed it immensely and am already planning my next Paris trip to track down some of this history 8/10

The Man I Became

by Peter Verhelst
A novella about a gorilla who gets kidnapped and trained up to behave like a human. He observes and reflects on his life from a time beyond a great catastrophe and it is at times funny, sad and downright weird! I enjoyed it though and it was the right length to avoid becoming stale. 7/10

The Haunted Hotel

by Wilkie Collins
A ghost story set in London and Venice. In true Collins style the plot gallops along as the mystery of what really went on with the older brother in a family is revealed. Great stuff and also coupled with a short story, The Dream Woman'. 8/10

My Brilliant Friend

by Elena Ferrante
Part of a quartet of books that follows two friends from childhood on. It is set in Naples and starts in the 1950's and although at times it moves quite slowly its evocation of Naples streets and childhood memories is fantastic. Definitely worth a read, especially if you grew up in a time when not everybody had a tv or a car 8/10

The Dark Angel

by Dominique Silvain
Quirky crime thriller involving two women, one a burlesque dancer and the other a retired policewoman. Okay but wouldn't rush for the next in the series 5/10

Round up 2015

Have read a number of series books this year, starting with the MadAddam trilogy and starting the Tariq Ali Islam quintet(covered 3 books). Also read Irene from the Pierre Lemaitre crime trilogy, and reread Money from the Rougon Macquart series. Add to this some Harry Bosch and Maigret and I guess you conclude it was the year of the series.
However, my book of the year comes down to one of three from no series.
A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman, a rereading of Great Expectations by Dickens and The Great Swindle by Pierre Lemaitre. If I had to pick one it would probably be Sarah Winman by a whisker, for the way it captures magic in the real.
It would be wrong to end this post without a mention of A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. How this did not win the Booker escapes me. It was the hardest read this year but a book I could not keep away from despite having to put it down for a day or two en route.

The Rise of Islamic State

by Patrick Cockburn
A useful introduction to the stories behind the headlines in the current Syrian mess.
If you didn't think British bombing was misguided before reading this you may be persuaded otherwise reading this book. 8/10

The Great Swindle

by Pierre Lemaitre
There are numerous swindles going on in this book set against the backdrop of the first world war-the greatest swindle of all. I really enjoyed this book. The first chapter is fantastic, leaving you wondering what the book is about and where it will go. After that it is a case of follow the swindles.
This is such a contrast to his detective works but still great writing One of the best reads this year. 9/10

Great Expectations

by Charles Dickens
What Larks! What can I say, one of my all time favourites and the book that kicked off my love of Dickens. Pip is still as annoying, Estella is still annoying but the characters are all wonderful and the book is a joy to read. 9/10

The Concrete Blonde

by Michael Connelly
The third Harry Bosch novel this year. It was ok and gave us a bit more insight into Harry's character. It was a good relaxing read. 6/10

Playing the Whore

by Melissa Gira Grant
A book about sex work by a sex worker.
An interesting book and an interesting take on this area of society. It suffers from continually claiming that nobody outside the sex workers field could write with any valid opinion about the industry. I cannot agree with that but I did like a refreshing look at the issues. 5/10

Satin Island

by Tom McCarthy
Very different from the previous book, this short novel has minimal plot, minimal character development and yet somehow is very engaging. In parts it is very funny -how funny can a corporate anthropologist be I hear you say- and in others very thought provoking. It definitely grew on me the more I read. 7/10

A Spool of Blue Thread

by Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler has been accused of only ever writing about family life. As this is the first book I have read by her I cannot comment on that, but if it is true then she does it very well. This is the story of the Whitshanks scattered over several decades and I found it really engaging. Character development is excellent and the story is kept alive somehow with very little happening that wouldn't happen in many families. Good stuff!7/10

Capital in the 21st Century

by Thomas Piketty
This book I have been reading for the past year nearly and have used audio, paper and kindle at various times to complete it. Having said that it is a very engaging read and highlights the need for some form of intervention if we are to avoid the disparity in wealth from increasing at an accelerating rate. The translation by Arthur Goldhammer is excellet. 9/10

Sweet Caress

by William Boyd
subtitled The Many Lives of Amory Clay this is narrated by a women photographer who lives for a large part of the twentieth century. It tells the story of her life and was at its most engaging when she was photographing things. The parts in the Scottish highlands were a diversion. A good read for a long weekend.8/10

The Looking-Glass Sisters

by Gohril Gabrielsen
This book by a Norwegian author makes any nordic noir you have read look like Anne of Green Gables. This is grim fare and although the writing is great in places it is a thoroughly depressing read. Described as a tragic love story it may be better described as a tragic hate story laced with bitterness and resentment. Could not get into this at all 3/10