Cornflower Blues 2012 - the books of the year

            

         

                      

                                   

    Beginning with the fiction but in no particular order, here are the books I've awarded a 'Cornflower Blue' for being the best of the year* (click on the descriptions to go to the full post on each one):

    The Coward's Tale by Vanessa Gebbie, a story whose cadences rise and fall with a lilt and a rhythm that make it irresistible.

    The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life by William Nicholson, beautifully balanced and intelligently played out, marvellously entertaining and sparklingly done.

    Alys, Always by Harriet Lane, a novel of skill, elegance and flair.     

    Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd, a thrilling spy story and a portrait of Europe at a time of enormous change, a bildungsroman and a picture of the human psyche under pressure, a book springing from intellectual heft and virtuoso narrative technique - it's too good to miss.

    Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death by James Runcie, a gentle, romantic book with a lovely period feel, and at its heart a charming character and a purity of thought that is very appealing.

    The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers, ingenious and cleverly plotted, great dramatic entertainment.

    Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding, a fine book whose understatement and restraint lets it speak and ensures it will be heard.

    A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar by Suzanne Joinson, a tightly folded story gradually unfurls in very pleasing form.

    The Colour of Milk by Nell Leyshon, stands out for the sheer economy of its prose, its near-perfect idiom, and for the significance of its subject matter and the themes which are worked out so skilfully in so few words.

    John Saturnall's Feast by Lawrence Norfolk, encompasses myth and legend, allegory and arcane knowledge, love, war and entrancing storytelling, combining these ingredients to make no mere culinary conceit or kickshaw but a readers' feast of the highest order.

    Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, shows her gift for ideas and for working so creatively with her raw material that the end product is superb.

    The Knot by Jane Borrodale, an engrossing narrative moving with the shifting seasons makes this a fine work, and one whose atmosphere lingers in the mind.

    Rook by Jane Rusbridge, an exquisitely sensitive story, an affecting work, closely woven, beautifully tempered.

    High Rising by Angela Thirkell, a highly entertaining comedy, such a fun book and a diverting one.

    Archie by Domenica More Gordon, a terrific picture book with real charm - something to leave on the coffee table where adults as well as children will pick it up and be delighted by it.

 

    Non-fiction to come next.

 

*That is, of those I've read this year.

Comments

[Dark Puss]

Wow! I've only read one book in 2012 that I'd consider giving an award to in absolute terms, though I note you are awarding these for "best of the year". I will be reading ~ 1/3 (possibly only a quarter) as many books which will partly account, but I am also sure that I am a less critical reader than you are so I wish I knew why you have such a good success rate. Congratulations; I am a little envious. Of those you list I have read Bel Canto and The Nine Tailors

[Cornflower]

DP your comment raises interesting points.
I am fortunate in being given many very high quality books, and when I'm choosing what to read (either from those sent or when I'm buying for myself) I do take a lot of care, so selection alone - that is as far as I can tell - ensures a high proportion of what I read is 'good' (and by the way, I should have said that there were several other books which narrowly missed inclusion, and the list could have gone on!).
Secondly, perhaps I am one of those readers with a greater capacity for enjoyment (I believe there is such a thing). I don't know.

[Audrey]

It used to be {over the last 25 or so years}, since I first 'discovered' her, that finding someone else who read Angela Thirkell (at least over here) was a wonderful little jolt of surprise, because it was such a rare thing. I even once read a country-house-through-the-seasons kind of book where the writer talked about Angela Thirkell and Berlin work, and I was in heaven. I'm not sure how I would have found the first of her books back then - in a used book store, or by wandering through the Ts in the library looking for someone else? I've had fun since then collecting them all. I'm happy (in a way...) to see that these new editions are bringing more people into the fold. :)

[Elaine]

My first list is up to!! We have a few in common so do nip over and check!!

[Audrey]

Oh! I meant to add that The Optimist's Daughter will be on my list, so thank you for encouraging us to read it.

[Dark Puss]

Thank you for your response. I'm not sure about your "capacity for enjoyment" argument but I'll give it some thought.

[LizF]

The Painter of Silence, A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar, The Colour of Milk and of course John Saturnall's Feast would definitely be on my list of best fiction reads if I do one (for my own amusement) and I am sure that Rook and High Rising will also be if I get a move on and read them as The Devil's Music would also definitely be right up there.
I will definitely look out for the others too including Archie which would make a lovely present for my grand daughter Isabella's 2nd birthday in January!

[Karen (at Curate's egg)]

Of these I've only read Bel Canto and The Coward's Tale, both of which I enjoyed.

Thank you for reminding me about the William Boyd - I will certainly be adding that to my list for next year.

[Lindsay Healy]

I loved The Colour of Milk too. I am looking forward to reading Alys, Always. I enjoyed The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life but didn't read it this year.

[Cornflower]

You're welcome, Audrey - I enjoyed it greatly too.

[Cornflower]

Yes, we have some great ones in common!

[Cornflower]

Archie is super - all pictures, so lots to talk about, and I believe it's the first of a series.

[Cornflower]

That was a great read, and it'll be out in paperback soon.

[Cornflower]

Alys, Always was terrific!

[Dixie Lee]

The Nine Tailors is not only a great mystery, and part of the wonderful, seminal Wimsey series, but it is the best description of bell ringing ever. As a hand bell ringer I always recommend it to my audiences if they are at all interested in learning how tower bells are rung and what change ringing is. Mathematicians will find it interesting too.