... in that usually, around this time, I can produce a list of a dozen or so books read over the preceding twelve months which deserve to be put centre stage again and from which two get the laurels, but this year has somehow been 'off'. Whether it's that my interests have changed - and I think that is so - or whether the novels I've read have simply not elicited the deeper feeling of connection I look for over and above their technical merits, there are few I'd award a Blue, so 2015's is a very short list.
Elizabeth Goudge comes closest to what I've been seeking with The Dean's Watch and The White Witch almost but not quite matching The Runaways for sheer enjoyment. In non-fiction, James Rebanks gets an honourable mention for The Shepherd's Life, while Linda Lear's detailed biography of Beatrix Potter impressed me enormously and held my attention throughout. And that's it - not many, but distinguished nonetheless.
As the year nears its end, I'm looking forward to heading in a new direction reading-wise, for some of the time, at least. I think the journey will be both fascinating and fun.
