For my final Editor’s Diary of 2022, I’m looking back at the books I’ve read this year.
I keep a notebook with details of everything I read, which comes in very handy! Not only does it remind me of what I’ve enjoyed, it also gives me ideas for gifts for other book lovers.
Reading plays a huge part in my life and brings me a great deal of pleasure.
This year, my notebook tells me I have read 28 books. That’s two more than I managed last year. And if I finish my latest read, “The Women Of Troy” by Pat Barker, before the bells, that will take me to 29. I’m definitely aiming to break the 30 next year!
Of those 28, four were non fiction. And my favourite from those was “The Horizontal Oak” by our very own Polly Pullar, a beautifully written and touching memoir of how nature has brought her solace throughout her life.
Book Club choices
A further 12 were Book Club choices. We’ve read an eclectic mix of genres and styles this year!
Top of my list are “All My Mothers” by Joanna Glen and “The Appeal” by Janice Hallett. Both very different from each other, but absolutely excellent. Though we still don’t know which Book Club member chose “All My Mothers”! Maybe we’ll solve the mystery in 2023.
Three of the books I read in 2022 were by one of my favourite authors, Alexander McCall Smith. His feel-good, kindly novels are my book equivalent of a comfort blanket. Two were from his No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, and the third was a Scotland Street novel.
Favourite book of the year
And my favourite book of the year? It has to be the fabulous, unputdownable “Great Circle” by Maggie Shipstead. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
And coming a very close second is “The Marriage Portrait” by the brilliant Maggie O’Farrell, which I enjoyed just as much as her previous triumph, “Hamnet”.
Runners-up in the top reads stakes are “Piranesi” by Susanna Clarke and “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. I urge you to read them all!
And guess what I’m hoping Santa will bring me this Christmas? Here’s to another great year of reading in 2023.
Read Angela’s previous Editor’s Diary entries.
Angela Gilchrist I am the former Editor-in-Chief of “The People’s Friend” magazine. My passions include cats, Highland ponies, good books, vegetarian food and long walks in the Scottish countryside. My favourite place to get away from it all is the magical Isle of Skye.
