I always enjoy reading everyone’s books of the year posts – they have been appearing for a little while now. It’s always a bit of a task whittling down all the great books I have read to just one list of favourites.How to compare different books, and different voices? I think it has to be about the full reading experience, the emotional response and pure enjoyment, not so much literary merit.
I usually opt for twelve books – and have done again this year. These are the books of my year – not the year, none of my choices were published in 2023, but three were at least published in the twenty-first century.
So here they are in reverse order – I have added links to full reviews where they exist, my reviewing has been intermittent.
12 Published by the British Library as part of their Women Writers series. Introduction to Sally (1926) by Elizabeth von Arnim is all about that pure enjoyment for the reader. I read it in October, practically inhaling von Arnim’s wonderfully recognisable wit. Sally of the title is an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, whose beauty has become such a responsibility for her harassed father he marries her off as soon as he can, outside her class to a young man studying at Oxford. Poor Sally, happier by far in the company of the servants, is so ‘good’ she just obediently does what everyone tells her – until it all becomes just a bit too much.
11 A Little Luck (2015) by Claudia Piñeiro I read in August for Women in Translation month. Translated from Spanish by Frances Riddle it is a slight novel from Argentina that becomes increasingly hard to put down. It was a breathless, brilliant read, and I loved every word. Heartbreakingly poignant, Piñeiro’s description of the tragic incident that is at the heart of this novel is superbly done.
10 Some books turn out to be something of a surprise, such was the case with The Housekeeper and the Professor (2003) by Yoko Ogawa translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder. Read in July on my Kindle. It is the deeply felt story of an agency housekeeper and the professor whose home she goes to work in each day. The professor has a peculiar memory problem, but his maths genius is as sharp as ever. The relationship between the professor, the housekeeper and her ten year old son is pitch perfect and I’ll be remembering the story for a long time I have no doubt.
9 So many books I read I discover due to reading the blog or other social media posts of others, Rattlebone (1994) by Maxine Clair which I read in August was one such book. It has the feel of a book written a bit earlier, perhaps because these interlinked stories are very much rooted in the 1950s – a time when the author was a similar age to her main character. The Guardian called it an overlooked coming of age classic. It certainly has the feel of a classic to me. Rattlebone is a small Black neighbourhood of Kansas city, and these stories tell the various stories of Irene Wilson growing up in that community. The prose, instantly captivating and poetic.
8 The book of Form and Emptiness (2021) by Ruth Ozeki I read in March when I was away at a hotel in Devon with my mum. I had just officially retired on ill-health and it felt so naughty being on holiday during term time. One of lots of books this year I didn’t review in full, as I convinced myself I couldn’t do it justice. There’s a wonderful cast of characters, a story that is poignant, often heartbreaking, some of it narrated by a book. It’s philosophical, wise and hugely compelling. At around 550 pages it’s a bigger book than I often read, and my hands objected strongly so I bought a second copy on my Kindle, to carry on reading in more comfort.
7 There’s usually a Persephone book in the mix in my end of year list and this time it’s The Waters Under the Earth (1965) by John Moore that I read in November. The overarching theme is that of change in environment and landscape, showing how that impacts families, communities and the traditions that they hold dear. Moore also depicts the social changes that were happening everywhere at this time. No longer did working class people defer to the upper classes, politics is everywhere, with a wonderfully charming and sympathetic Conservative MP character. A satisfyingly chunky Persephone book, worth spending time with – I loved the descriptions of the natural world too.
6 I read Latchkey Ladies (1921) by Marjorie Grant back in February, re-issued by Handheld Press. The latchkey ladies of the title are the young women who around the end of WW1 in 1918 frequent the Mimosa club – a kind of women’s hostel, where some women live in rooms above, while others – like several of our characters, live out, going there for meals and to socialise. One of the young women meets a married man at a party and they begin an affair – the consequences are rather greater for the woman than the man. The novel gives us an entertaining glimpse at London life for single, independent young women at the start of the twentieth century.
5 The second novel in one of her trilogies Night and Silence Who is Here (1963) by Pamela Hansford Johnson was read almost a year ago back in January. It was another surprise in a way, I know that I enjoy Pamela Hansford Johnson, and had very much enjoyed The Unspeakable Skipton, the first book in the Dorothy Merlin trilogy, this second novel is what is called a campus novel I suppose – and I have never been a big fan of them, but I loved this one. I do think each book of this trilogy stands alone – but I’m still glad I read them in order. This novel is subtitled an American comedy, and is set in a liberal arts college in New Hampshire, where we follow Matthew Pryar, a visiting fellow, and reluctant associate of Dorothy Merlin. It is delightfully and satirically funny.
4 One novel that many readers have seemed to agree on in the last couple of years is Trespasses (2022) by Louise Kennedy which I finally read in June. Set in Northern Ireland during the troubles, in a small town near Belfast, Cushla teaches at a primary school during the day and at night often fills in behind the bar at the family pub, mainly run by her older brother. Cushla is from a Catholic family, and while the area she lives in is considered mixed – nothing’s that straightforward or simple – her life is set against the daily updates of violence and threat. She meets Michael, older, married and a barrister known for defending IRA members. It is a gut wrenching, devastating story, brilliantly told.
3 Bird of Paradise (1914) by Ada Leverson that I read in February is a wonderfully bright, witty novel that gently satirises a society in which love, and money go hand in hand. In this novel we meet two married couples, Bertha and Percy Kellynch and Nigel and Mary Hillier. Ten years earlier, at the beginning of the century, Bertha and Nigel had been inseparable. The eighteen-year-old Bertha had been heartbroken when Nigel realising that Bertha wasn’t possessed of the fortune he required, threw his lot in with heiress Mary instead and married her. A joyfully entertaining novel, which put a silly big smile on my face.
2 If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin (1974) I read in June, only the second book I had read by James Baldwin – I have since read one more. The reader is immediately captivated by the voice of nineteen year old Tish. Harlem, New York – Baldwin brings it to life instantly. Tish’s partner Fonny is in jail for a rape everyone who knows him knows without doubt he isn’t guilty of. Tish is pregnant with their first child. The story, often told in flashback, is the story of their relationship, and of the family’s desperate struggle to get justice for Fonny against a background of extreme prejudice and injustice.
1.So, I had a difficult job ranking these books in order but I have chosen The Shooting Party (1980) by Isobel Colegate that I read in September as my favourite book of 2023. I am just sorry that it is one of several books on this list that I didn’t get around to writing about in full. Set in the dying days of Edwardian England just before the outbreak of WW1 – the scenes depicting the shoot – and the carnage for the bird life that it brings, herald the slaughter that was to soon come on the battlefields of France and Belgium. It is an extraordinarily beautiful novel.
So that’s it!
All that’s left to say is happy New Year and happy reading in 2024.
Nice to look back at the books we read over the year 😊 From your list, I also read “Latchkey Ladies” and found it amazing. And for this year, I’m looking forward to “the book of form and emptiness “. Have a good 2024 ahead!
Oh I’m glad you enjoyed Latchkey Ladies too, and I hope you enjoy The Book of Form and Emptiness. Happy reading.
so pleased, Ali, that the Leverson was such a joy to you. Happy New Year.
It was a joy Michael, thank you for sending it.
I love Ozeki’s writing. Loved this book, too!
That was my first book by Ruth Ozeki, so I really must make sure I read more soon.
A Tale for the Time Being is one of my favorites.
Thanks, I’ll look out for it.
I loved reading your list! I’ve only read numbers 1 and 12, so lots to discover- I don’t know why I haven’t got to Latchkey Ladies yet, since it is clearly one I’d relish.
Oh yes, I think you would really enjoy Latchkey Ladies.
I like the look of Latchkey Ladies. A very happy New Year to you, Ali, reading and otherwise!
Yes, I really enjoyed spending time with those Latchkey Ladies. Happy New Year.
I found it very rewarding to listen to Louise Kennedy’s „Trespasses“ (as was the case for me with Anna Burns’ „ Milkman“ in 2018), both set during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Brid Brennan brings both books alive, especially in the dialogues.
I also read „The Latchkey Ladies“ this year. I appreciate such novels written in the early 20th century – so much social history worth recording. Handheld Press, Dean Street Press and the British Library Women Writers series – such troves! Elizabeth von Arnim‘s „Introduction to Sally“ (BLWW) is on my shelf.
I can imagine having it read in the right accent really lends something special to the audio book. I hope you enjoy Introduction to Sally.
An enticing list! I’ve only read three of these so have plenty of ones left to track down (thankfully Latchkey Ladies is already waiting on my shelf). Happy New Year and all the best for 2024!
Thank you, I hope you enjoy Latchkey Ladies Claire.
Great to read your list of books, thanks Ali. As you know, I enjoyed Introduction to Sally and The Waters under the Earth this year too. I like the sound of The Shooting Party and Latchchkey Ladies, I had missed your blogs on those I think.
Hoping that your reading in 2024 will be a delight and a comfort to you! Thank you for all your blogging, even when it feels hard. It is great to be able to feel connected to other readers .
Thank you. I haven’t been able to review everything this year, so there was no full review of The Shooting Party. Hopefully I can review slightly more in 2024.
A fabulous selection of books, Ali! I always look forward to seeing your reading highlights, especially as our tastes seem to be very much in tune. I’ve read three of your top four – The Shooting Party, Beale Street and Trespasses – all of which I loved. (There’s also a gorgeous adaptation of Beale Street, directed by Barry Jenkins, which I would wholeheartedly recommend if you haven’t seen it already.)
I’m also delighted to see Introduction to Sally here as I have a copy in my TBR and hope to get to it soon. The Claudia Pineiro sounds excellent, too. I loved Elena Knows, so it’s a great fit for me, especially as it comes with your stamp of approval.
You’ve also reminded me that I’ve yet to try Pamela HJ. Another writer who seems right up my street! Thank you for all your insightful reviews and posts this year. I know it’s been a challenging one for you on various fronts, but I wish you a happy and more comfortable 2024 with plenty of good reading to look forward to in the months ahead.
I haven’t seen the Beale Street film, I avoided it as I knew I wanted to read it first. I hope you enjoy Introduction to Sally, von Arnim is always entertaining.
What a really interesting list, Ali – The Shooting Party is a book I’ve been aware of for ages and you do make me keen to track down a copy. Happy New Year!
I loved The Shooting Party, and I am sure I will read it again.
Thanks for posting your list of favorite reads as I always look forward to it. Introduction to Sally also made my list of favorites for the year, and I loved the Ogawa when I read it a few years ago. I’ve enjoyed other books by Ozeki, Leverson, and Baldwin, and will keep my eyes open for these titles. Warmest wishes for a happy and healthful 2024! Grier
Thank you Grier, I saw your brilliant list earlier on FB. I hope you have just as good a reading year in 2024.
Having read and much enjoyed ‘Vera’ by Elizabeth von Arnim this year, I attempted to get ‘Introduction to Sally’ but it will not be available in the US until June 24, 2024.
Vera is excellent, but quite different in tone to many of her other books. She’s always worth reading though.
Happy New Year Ali! I’ve only read no.10 which I also loved. All the others sound wonderful and I’m very keen to read The Shooting Party.
Brilliant, thank you. Happy New Year to you too, I do hope you enjoy The Shooting Party if you get to it.
Happy New Year to you. I look forward to another year of reading inspiration from you
Thank you, Happy New year. Always happy to inspire other’s reading.
Happy New Year, Ali and what a fab list of books! I loved Rattlebone, it made by year-end list too. And I’m looking forward to Latchkey Ladies and the Baldwin.
Thank you, Radz. I am sure it was your review of Rattlebone that prompted me to read it. I think I have your best of list in my blog reader waiting for me to catch up. 🙂
I share your enthusiasm for the Yoko Ogawa and also Trespasses. Are you thinking of reading The Prophet Song (this year’s Booker winner)? It’s another tremendous novel by another brilliant Irish writer – honestly that country is full of talented authors
Prophet Song has definitely been on my radar, it does sound very good. I don’t have a copy yet, but I think I’ll probably read it as some point.
What a great list! And I didn’t feel like I could offer anything to the conversation about Ozeki’s novel either…it was so much, in all the right ways…what could we add to THAT? And how I loved Rattlebone (which I also didn’t write about…hmmm, I’m noticing a bad pattern here hee hee).
I was overwhelmed at the idea of reviewing The Book of Form and Emptiness but it did stay with me.
There were many things I didn’t review last year, and I won’t review everything this year, but that’s just the way it goes.
Happy New Year, Ali 🎆
Thank you, HNY to you.
Good choices. The Housekeeper in the Professor is a favorite of mine–so sweet! The Shooting Party, which I read when it came out in paperback too long ago to do the math on, fueled my obsession with the Edwardians. Osbert! The movie had such an amazing cast, too. Now I want to re-watch it.
So glad that you enjoyed The Shooting Party and The Housekeeper and the Professor too. I definitely enjoy reading about those late Edwardians, I must reread The Go Between.
I couldn’t re-watch The Shooting Party, but did watch the trailer which is on youtube and swoon. lol
An excellent list and I note I have your copies of two of them! I bet Beale Street is on my 2024 best of. I loved Sally and the Ada Leverson, too, though they didn’t make my top list. Happy reading in 2024, I’m looking forward to lots of books passing this way and that and chatting about them!
I am sure you will love Beale Street. My reading has got off to a good start, so I hope that continues. I am sure we shall be sharing lots more books this year too.
[…] it was reissued by Persephone in late 2022 but it largely passed me by until Ali included it in her Twelve Books for 2023 post. Happily, it was easy to get from the university […]