2020 was a good year for reading (when we weren’t glued to our screens). Looking back, I find that I chewed through over forty books, either by reading or listening to an audiobook. I confess that I abandoned a few half-way (life in the times of COVID is potentially too short to be bored). However, here are some I’d recommend if you’re looking for something to read during a snap hotspot lockdown.
My top 3 audiobooks of 2020
(judged on both story and narrator)
- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol – read by Hugh Grant who brings the dark ironic tones of Dickens to the fore.
- Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling), Troubled Blood: Cormoran Strike, Book 5 – read by Robert Glenister. Rowling’s controversial comments meant that this book received critique by people who hadn’t read it. I recommend a read, or enjoy listening to the hard-boiled detective voice of Robert Glenister.
- HG Wells, War of the Worlds – read by David Tennant in a way that captures the intense psychological struggle of the protagonist in a time of fear and uncertainty. Definitely a story for our time.
My top non-fiction book of 2020
- Alan Davies, Just Ignore Him. Seeing the funny side of things is the life raft that Alan has used to overcome tragedy and abuse. In this well written memoir, his lightness of touch makes this memoir all the more poignant.
My top relaxers of 2020
- Jodi Taylor, Doing Time: The Time Police, Book 1 – audiobook read by Zara Ramm. In Jodi Taylor’s series ‘Chronicles of St Mary’s’, the Time Police are always portrayed as the arrogant dunderheads that fearless historians must outwit to save the day. In this new series, Taylor flips our perspective by introducing us to three new recruits to the Time Police – each of whom is uniquely unsuited to the role.
- Martha Wells, The Murderbot Diaries (4 novellas and 1 novel). Making an android a compelling and sympathetic protagonist is the central achievement of this series. Sardonic humour laces the edges of fast-paced action and an unfolding mystery. Book 5, Network Effect was the latest stellar addition.
Other recommended listens and reads
(alphabetically by author surname)
Ben Aaronovitch, Tales from the Folly: Short Stories from the world of the Rivers of London series – read by multiple narrators
Anne Brinsden, Wearing Paper Dresses. If you liked The Dressmaker by Rosalie Hamm, then you’ll love this story of rural hardship.
Tiny Fey, Bossypants – read by Tina Fey. Finding out what makes comedians tick is always fascinating.
CS Forester, Mr Midshipman Hornblower – read by Christian Rodska. A rollicking tale on the high seas.
John Le Carré, Agent Running in the Field – read by John Le Carré, who turns out to be a dab hand at accents, as well as a riveting writer.
Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing (book). I never thought I could be so interested in marsh wildlife. Intensive botany lesson embedded in a compelling story.
Michelle Paver, Wolf Brother – read by Sir Ian McKellen. This is an old-fashioned tale of an American Indian boy coming to manhood and I loved every minute – entranced by McKellen’s ‘tell me a story’ voice.
Andy Weir, The Martian – read by Wil Wheaton. Seen the movie? Now read the book. Originally, I planned to read it in print, but I’m glad I opted for the audiobook. I think I would have skimmed the technical details in print, but they form a mesmerising rhythm that builds the believability of events when read aloud.
On to 2021 …
