Cornflower Blues 2013 - the books of the year, part 1

   

    Decisions, decisions.

    Separating the cream of this year's reading from 'the top of the milk' is a tough job, and inevitably there are at least a handful more books I could add to the list, there's so little to choose between them, but I have chosen and I give you the 'Cornflower Blues', my books of the year:

 

    Best biographies:

Penelope Fitzgerald: A Life by Hermione Lee

C. S. Lewis: A Life - Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet, The Story of the Man who Created Narnia by Alister McGrath

 

    Best 'old' novels:

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham

The Heir by Vita Sackville-West

The Shooting Party by Isabel Colegate

Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

 

    Best first novels:

The Night Rainbow by Claire King

Amity & Sorrow by Peggy Riley

Meeting the English by Kate Clanchy

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

 

    Best non-fiction:

The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase by Mark Forsyth

Magical Tales: Myth, Legend and Enchantment in Children's Books edited by Carolyne Larrington & Diane Purkiss

 

    Best new novels:

Motherland by William Nicholson

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

The Promise by Ann Weisgarber

Last Friends by Jane Gardam

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield

 

    Still to come, the best of the best.

Comments

[Danielle]

The Enchanted April is one of my all-time favorite books and I have read it perhaps three times now. I was just thinking it is due for a reread in the next month or so! I am, of course, noting down the other books on your list--especially the Nicholson! Looking forward to part 2!

[Ann Weisgarber]

Karen, thank you so much for including The Promise on the list. I'm thrilled and in my mind's eye, I'm doing cartwheels. Tonight, I'm toasting you for all that you do to bring books and readers together.

Happy New Year!

[Cornflower]

I agree, The Enchanted April can take frequent re-reading and is such a delightful book!
Re. the Nicholson, his new novel, "Reckless", is due out in about a month's time, so that's something to look forward to.

[Cornflower]

Thank you so much, Ann, and a very happy new year to you!

[Danielle]

He is certainly prolific. I have much catching up to do. Maybe I need to add All the Hopeful Lovers to my new year stack (along with Moon Tiger...) as that was the book I had intended to read next. I think I will have to order Motherland from the UK as I see it is out in paper. A little after holiday treat to help ease me back into work?? :)

[Cornflower]

Why not!

[litlove]

I am noting down all these titles - I do love best-of lists but they are very dangerous to my tbr mountain!

[Cornflower]

And mine!