As is traditional on the Ramblings, I’m going to take a look back over my year of reading to pick out some highlights. It certainly has been a very strange and unpleasant year, unlike any I’ve known – I hope 2021 will be better, but who knows what’s to come. Books have, as always, been a comfort and my coping mechanism; and I *have* read a little more than usual, despite the strains of coping with a pandemic world. As usual, I’m not going to do any kind of countdown or top ten – let’s just look at the bookish things which have kept me going!
Comfort reading
2020 has most definitely been year when there’s been a need for comfort reading. My go-to books are Golden Age crime and once again the British Library Crime Classics have been a source of great joy. I’ve read a good number, and not a dud amongst them! I’ve also felt the urge to do a sudden bit of re-reading – for example, at one point needing pick up Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and revisit the wonderfully perfect ending. Longing for less complex times, I guess.
Indie Presses and Subscriptions
If this year has been anything for me, it’s been the year of indie presses and subscriptions! Despite the lockdowns and restrictions, it’s been a joy to see independent publishers flourishing, supported by the love of serious readers and booklovers. I have spent happy hours with many wonderful indie imprints, authors and books, including Notting Hill Editions, Little Toller, Fum d’Estampa, Salt, Galley Beggar, Sublunary Editions and Renard Press; in fact, I did a nice little Q&A with Will Dady, the man behind the latter, for Shiny New Books. And of course it’s been lovely to keep up with Fizcarraldo Editions, who’ve released some quite marvellous volumes this year.
Which leads me on to…
Challenges/Events
I tend to steer away from most of these nowadays, as I find I get all enthusiastic about joining in then instantly want to go off in another direction! However, I did get involved in a Twitter-based readalong of the marvellous Malicroix (published by NYRB Classics), thanks to the influence of Dorian Stuber! A wonderful book and a great joy to take part in this! I’ve managed to reboot some of my personal reading projects, and even expand their scope – let’s see how that works out then…
I also ended up co-hosting a two week celebration of the aforementioned Fitzcarraldo with Lizzy – Fitzcarraldo Editions Fortnight. Not only was this great fun, but it also got me reading quite a bit of my TBR – result! 😀
Which leads me on to…
Reading Weeks
As usual, Simon and I co-hosted two Reading Club Weeks this year, focused on 1920 and 1956. These are always such fun – if you haven’t encountered them, we basically read whatever we want from the year in question, review, post on blogs and other social media and share ideas of great books from the year. We’ll be hosting another in April 2021 so do join in! 😀
Social Media
Social media of all kinds has become pretty much a lifeline over 2020 and it’s been great to be able to keep in touch over the various platforms. Book Twitter is particularly lovely and I have been lucky enough to interact with some wonderful people on there. There have been postcards going around the world and moral support offered to our online friends who have suffered losses over the year. It is a lovely place to visit. Of course, there are always so many reading events to tempt me there, but mostly I manage to hold back because I know I will fail… I didn’t with Malicroix though, so result!
Twitter was also responsible for the Harvill Leopard Hunt, as it shall be titled, where a number of interested bookish people contributed to a wonderful master list of books issued in that imprint by Tim at Half Print Press. It was huge fun being involved in the detective work, and the resulting checklist is a thing of great beauty and use – you can check it out here! (Do take a look at Half Pint Press too – they produce some gorgeous things!)
Roland Barthes, a documentary and another interview!
Although I was often looking for comfort reads, it hasn’t all been lightweight this year. In particular, I seem to have been haunted by the spirit of Roland Barthes! I first read his Mythologies back at the end of 2019, reviewing it in January this year, and have revisited his work at various points over the year. He’s not always an easy read, but certainly fascinating, stimulating and thought-provoking!
This also tied in with my Documentary of Year (and Decade!) 21st Century Mythologies with Richard Clay – it was quite superb, and I was delighted to welcome Richard back onto the Ramblings for a return interview. He’s always such an interesting interviewee, brimming with ideas! No doubt I shall continue to return to Barthes – there are several titles I have lurking on the TBR…
Shiny New Books
I continued to provide some reviews for Shiny New Books, the wonderful independent recommendations website. I always enjoy reading other people’s contributions and SNB covers such a wide range of books. Always worth checking out if you’re not sure what to read next, or want to find out what’s come out recently and is worth reading!
Trends in my reading
I’ve continued to read a lot in translation, from the Russian of course but also from French, German, Portuguese, Polish…. I’ve enjoyed poetry, and also a lot of non-fiction this year. There have been times when I’ve felt that I couldn’t engage properly with fiction, and so essays, philosophy, history, nature writing, travel writing and books which don’t actually fit into any category have been there for me to turn to in times of need. I plan to continue to follow no path but my own and read what I *need* to read!
Outstanding books
I’m not going to pick a best of the year, because I can’t. The kind of books I read are so disparate that it seems unfair to measure them against each other. However, I *shall* highlight some particularly special reads from 2020.
First up, I have ended the year reading Robert Macfarlane’s Underland and it’s a stunning book. Mesmerising writing and brimming with ideas and visions, it certainly lives up to its hype and it was the perfect book with which to finish off the year.
I’m a huge fan of Paul Morley’s writing, and so was delighted to be able to review his latest book, A Sound Mind, for Shiny New Books. A wonderfully Morley-esque exploration of classic music in all its shapes and forms, I absolutely loved it.
Another author whose work I’ve loved for a long time is M. John Harrison. He’s hit the public eye a bit more than usual recently, and this year saw the release of a new novel The Sunken Land Begins to Rise Again. It’s another stunning read, proof that Harrison’s powers only increase with the years, and I was so pleased to see it win the Goldsmiths Prize! Lovely Comma Press also released a collection of his stories, Settling the World, which was another outstanding read.
A newer discovery for me is Andrew Lees; I read his wonderful book Mentored by a Madman last year, in a lovely paperback from Notting Hill Editions; it was a marvellous read, and Lees is such a good writer – in this book proving that literature and science go together. NHE published a new book by Lees this year, Brazil That Never Was, and I absolutely loved it. I described it in my review as a “wonderful blend of travelogue, memoir and reflection”, and Lees’ storytelling skills produced an atmospheric and memorable read. I can’t wait for his next book!
I can’t finish this section without mention of Square Haunting, which I covered in February for Shiny New Books. A quite brilliant book covering the lives of five inspirational women living in the same square in London, although at different times, it was an unforgettable read as well as an amazing work of scholarship – and it deserves all the praise it’s had!
*****
Frankly, that’s probably enough for one post – if I go on any longer I shall end up reliving the whole year and with 2020, that’s not something I necessarily want to do. The books I’ve read this year have been 99.9% pure joy (with the very occasional dud…) Whatever 2021 chucks our way I shall hang onto books as a way of maintaining some kind of sanity. Here’s to a better year for us all!
Anthony
Dec 31, 2020 @ 07:48:39
Paul Morley on classical music looks intriguing. Best wishes for 2021!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:19:23
It really is. Typically Morleyesque with its lists, digessions, refusal to follow a linear narrative – but as wonderfully individual and idiosyncratic as all of his books and bursting with inspiration (I have spend much time exploring classical music in a random fashion thanks to this book!) Happy 2021 to you too!
Lisa Hill
Dec 31, 2020 @ 07:49:07
The really good thing about being a reader, is that we can honestly say it’s been a wonderful year.
Which we can’t really say about any other aspect of 2020! Happ(ier) New Year!!
elisabethm
Dec 31, 2020 @ 08:01:58
Absolutely! At least that 😀
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:16:26
Who knew being a reader would come in so useful this year…
elisabethm
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:27:14
Finally!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:36:31
;DDDD
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:17:47
This is true. The books have been marvellous so 2020 was not a complete loss! Here’s to a good reading year in 2021 if nothing else!
elisabethm
Dec 31, 2020 @ 08:01:24
A wide selection of books, Karen, including some new discoveries; at least for reading it was a good year then!
May 2021 bring more exciting books and be happy and healthy ✨☃️🥂📚📚📚
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:17:08
It was – 2020 sucked mostly, but at least there were books, and some really good and memorable ones too. Let’s hope for at least goods books in 2021 if we can’t expect any more…. ;D
elisabethm
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:28:05
Yep, here’s to good books in 2021!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:36:14
Definitely! 😀
Tony
Dec 31, 2020 @ 09:35:01
No best book? Stick your neck out 😉
Anyway, another great reading year – I hope 2021 brings more of the same (but only bookwise!).
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:15:26
No. I just can’t. I think it’s because I read books that are so different from each other it seems like comparing apples and pears. So I shall continue my own sweet way and highlight things I loved.
But yes – the best part of this year has been the reading, which really has kept me sane while madness has gone on around me!
Tony
Dec 31, 2020 @ 12:48:07
Yes, me too. I was actually surprised at the number of people who found themselves unable to read. For me, my reading and reviewing was what got me through the year, something familiar to cling to amidst the chaos…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 12:53:03
Definitely. Reading’s always been my coping mechanism, anyway, and I really needed it this year…
A Life in Books
Dec 31, 2020 @ 09:51:56
I’m glad your reading year was joyous. Such a cliche but books are, undoubtedly, a solace. Currently reading Derek Cooper’s Ash Before Oak and, yes, I am a nosy bookish person who enlarges your photo to see if it’s in your pile! It’s beautifully written but wrenching. Happy reading in 2021!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:14:19
They *are* a solace – they’ve really kept me going at times this year, particulary as there’s been no travel so at least I can visit other places by books. I read Ash before Oak back in 2019 and it such a powerful book – quite unforgettable and as you say, wrenching! I’m looking forward to his new book.
ThoughtsBecomeWords
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:15:05
Brilliant books! Here’s to another wonderful reading year.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:15:54
Thanks! Books have been the best part of 2020 and will hopefully continue to keep me afloat next year!
Annabel (AnnaBookBel)
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:21:39
Thank you for the Shiny links and of course for your continued reviewing for Shiny. I hope 2021 is a great reading year for you too.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 10:22:45
No worries Annabel – I do love being involved with Shiny. And I have high hopes for 2021 in the form of reading – a lot of good books lined up!
heavenali
Dec 31, 2020 @ 14:06:06
Wonderful post. I completely understand the need for comfort reads, 2020 had me reaching for DSP and BLCC books. I think I also found some solace in social media, so good to connect with people. I love how many independent publishers you have been able to support. This year has shown us that this kind of support is more important than ever.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 15:28:09
Thanks Ali. Comfort reading has often been a saviour this year, though I have enjoyed going to different places with books and challenging myself a bit. I agree about social media – it’s really helped to get through this. As for indie publishers, I think they’re great and I love the fact they make me read books and authors I wouldn’t usually encounter. I definitely plan to keep supporting them in 2021!
whatsnonfiction
Dec 31, 2020 @ 14:10:32
Underland was one of my favorite books last year, what a treasure that one is! I’d love to reread it and I’m not much of a rereader but it was just so mesmerizing, as you say.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 15:26:39
It is – such an outstanding book. Definitely one I’d like to come back to at some point.
Caroline
Dec 31, 2020 @ 14:53:43
Lovely post, Karen.
You certainly had a better reading year than I had.
And, on e again, you tempt me. Underland and Square Haunting and Morley‘s book.
I hope you’ll have another great reading year in 2021.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 15:26:08
Thanks Caroline – reading really has helped me keep it together this year. Those three Big Books are all great reads – I hope you get the chance to explore them. Here’s to a better 2021 and lots more books!
Jim Henderson
Dec 31, 2020 @ 15:20:25
Looks like a heavenly year of reading. Paul Morley on Music definitely will go on my TBR list. I might reread some Virginia Woolf whom I love, but probably not A Room of One’s Own.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 15:24:57
I have to say that reading was probably the highlight of 2020! The Morely book is great – and Woolf always worth a revisit!
Calmgrove
Dec 31, 2020 @ 16:35:38
My reading is more serendipitous than yours, Karen, and has relied on time-honoured classics, some mainstream authors and whatever secondhand books I have picked up. The title Shiny New Books, where I occasionally catch some of yours and Annabel’s other reviews, says a lot about your commitment to contemporary writing and indie publishers; while I’m unlikely to come across many of these titles I relish your reviews and discussions for their generous critiques and lucid prose. I look forward to more of the same next year!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 18:26:57
Thanks so much for you rkind words, Chris! I try to be selective about the new and shiny, and it’s rarely mainstream fiction for me. But newly translated or re-issued or non-fiction are more likely to catch my eye on the new issues list. I’d like to do more backlisted reading – my main problem is usually making the choice of what to read next. I shall definitely continue to support the indie publishers and continue to plough my own furrow! 😀
Julé Cunningham
Dec 31, 2020 @ 17:49:00
A lovely tour through your reading year that brings back some nice reading memories I’d forgotten about, especially the excellent Harvills. May your new year be filled with many more wonderful reads!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 18:24:38
Thank you – and yours too. Books really are a wonderful solace in troubled times!
JacquiWine
Dec 31, 2020 @ 17:54:15
What a rich and varied year you’ve had Karen, certainly in terms of reading. I think this post really captures the essence of your tastes from cosy crime to non-fiction to independent presses and books in translation. It’s lovely to see Square Haunting in your list of notable books. The paperback edition arrived at the shop fairly recently, so all being well this will encourage some more readers to pick it up!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 31, 2020 @ 18:24:16
It *has* been a good year of reading, if not much else! (Though making contact with other bookish types virtually has been a joy!) I do have a grasshopper mind when it comes to reading, but I love what I love. Square Haunting was a real achievement, so I do hope it continues to sell well!
TravellinPenguin
Dec 31, 2020 @ 21:40:03
After reading your review of Underland I used an audible credit I had and downloaded it. I am almost finished with my current listen so will begin it soon. All the best for 2021. I will focus on more comfort reading and TBR books. I spend too much time trying to keep up with what I feel I should be reading. Peer pressure, haha. 2021 will be doing more what I want to do. Life is short. All the best 🤠🫖🥮
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:41:59
Oh, excellent! Hope you enjoy it! And I do want to focus on books I already own, but I know what you mean about peer pressure – all the books other people are reading are always so tempting! 😀
Jane
Jan 01, 2021 @ 14:38:23
Thank you for so many great introductions over the past year Karen, Happy New Year and looking forward to some more education!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 01, 2021 @ 16:19:27
Most welcome Jane! Happy 2021 and here’s to good reading, if nothing else!
Liz Dexter
Jan 02, 2021 @ 16:27:00
I loved this! And I must read A Sound Mind; I have it in mind for my Book Token Frenzy I will indulge in some time around May. Happy reading in 2021!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 02, 2021 @ 16:49:35
Thanks Liz! Highly recommend A Sound Mind – and a Book Token Frenzy sounds like the best fun! Happy reading to you too! 😀
cirtnecce
Jan 03, 2021 @ 13:45:32
It is so difficult to narrow down on the best reads!! I struggle every year! Comfort reads were I think a theme for everyone – I re-read Austen, Delafield and Thirkell just for get away from real life relief thing! They are such a blessings when things are downhill!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 03, 2021 @ 14:12:26
I struggle too – I can never make an ordered list. As for comfort reading, I suspect we’ll need more of that this year too…
roughghosts
Jan 05, 2021 @ 03:29:31
Wonderful post, Karen (I’m slowly trying to catch up with posts). I have a post on my year in books in my drafts folder and I think it will stay there. I struggled with reading this year and although I didn’t read much, I read some really interesting books but I think I’ll leave it at that. You, on the other hand seemed to read a truckload of books this year. Respect.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 05, 2021 @ 13:40:21
Thanks Joe! As reading is my main coping mechanism, I’ve needed it this year and I’ve read slightly more than usual too. I always try to read a variety of kinds of book, and also ones I really want to read. So no real plans usually, just my reading whims leading me along!
Vishy
Jan 05, 2021 @ 16:58:32
Beautiful post, Kaggsy! Thanks to your recommendation, I got Paul Morley’s book on classical music 😊 Love the Fitzcarraldos! I got a few myself recently. The Harvill Leopards look so exquisite! The Robert MacFarlane book looks wonderful! Will add it to my list. Thanks for sharing your favourites! Thanks for all the reviews throughout the year and your other bookish posts! My favourites were the ones in which you shared your bookstacks – I always love spying on them 😁 Hope you have a wonderful reading year in 2021!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 05, 2021 @ 20:33:00
Thank you Vishy! I’m glad you got some ideas for the TBR and I’ll make sure I try to feature regular pictures of book piles! 😀
BookerTalk
Jan 06, 2021 @ 21:48:49
What a richly varied year of reading you’ve had, from cosy crime to essays and philosophy. I bet the indie presses absolutely love you because you are such a wonderful advocate for them…..
Interesting that you found social media to be a source of solace in our turbulent times. I had the opposite reaction so dialled down on it quite markedly.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 07, 2021 @ 09:21:00
It was a lovely and varied reading year, yes – and I do love the indie presses!
As for social media, I’m selective with what I do with it as so much can be toxic. But bookish connections made there have been a bit of a lifeline at times and brought some welcome distraction to the madness…
banff1972
Jan 13, 2021 @ 22:09:32
Nice round-up, Karen! I really hope M John Harrison gets some US release dates soon!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 14, 2021 @ 11:10:19
Thanks! It would be great if the MJH gets to the US – such a great book!
buriedinprint
Jan 15, 2021 @ 22:42:59
Love this! And the cover of Square Haunting in the UK is so much nicer, I think. In the past I’ve done thematic summaries like this, and I do think they’re particularly satisfying when one reads such a variety. Maybe I’ll return to that next year too. I can’t recall in this moment….do we have a “year” for April, yet? But, I know, it’s reading indies first. Yay!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 16, 2021 @ 11:43:04
The cover of the hardback Square Haunting was beautifully done, and the book was brilliant. As for summaries vs top 10s, they just suit me better! Yes, Reading Indies first, and then in April we have 1936 which looks like a brilliant year! 😀
Claire 'Word by Word'
Jan 22, 2021 @ 09:16:58
What a fabulous post of your reading year and the different collections and those indie subscriptions, what a joy, I realise I was somewhat depriving myself in 2020, letting all mine lapse, but after a 6 month reading at least I’ve got my reading mojo back. And I do like to pick and choose, sometimes my subscriptions had felt like a burden. I just love the diversity of your reading and those that stood out, wonderful. I look forward to following where the mood takes you in 2021 and I see you’ve already broken the intention not to get too involved in challenges 🤔 you’re even joint leading one!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jan 22, 2021 @ 10:04:49
Thank you! It was a very strange year, but at least there were books. I’m not someone who’s really taken out book subscriptions before but I’m not finding these too pressureful, and the publishers are ones who produce a good variety of works. I do try to read diversely but I think there are gaps in my reading – though I can’t force myself to read a book I don’t want to, so I shall continue to follow my whims.
As for challenges – yes, shot myself in the foot there, didn’t I? But the #ReadIndies is not too onerous at all, as I have so many on the immediate TBR that it’s actually a pleasure to be choosing to read such a varied choice of books! ;D
#ReadIndies – small is beautiful…. @halfpintpress | Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings
Feb 05, 2021 @ 06:30:32