Here it is my ninth anniversary for this blog, and as is my custom, I am posting my top ten of the books I reviewed this year.
This year is much more of a mixed bag than last year. I have selected a classic science fiction novel, several contemporary novels, several historical novels, a couple of older classic novels, and even one ghost story. Although a few nonfiction novels made it to my periodic best book posts, I selected all fiction books this time. I read one of the books on the list for the Literary Wives blogging club and another for one of my projects, the Booker prize project.
So, with no more ado, here is my top ten list, in the order that I reviewed the books:
- Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller
- Elmet by Fiona Mozley
- The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin
- The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
- The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell
- The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
- The Towers of Trebizond by Rose Macaulay
- Smile of the Wolf by Tim Leach
- The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel
- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
whatmeread 
Happy blogiversary! I always enjoy your posts!
Thanks!
Happy ninth anniversary! The Dutch House was one of my books of the year too and I enjoyed Smile of the Wolf and Mansfield Park in previous years.
Yes, I thought The Dutch House was fabulous! Thanks for the congratulations!
Happy Anniversary! Nine years is a huge achievement! Here’s to the next nine years 🙂
Thanks!
Happy Blogiversary! Hope the next nine years brings you plenty more great books!
Thank you!
Happy blogaversary! I really need to read Hilary Mantel’s books. They do intimidate me slightly, I must admit 😉
I have found a couple of them very difficult, but the ones about Thomas Cromwell are great!
Congratulations to nine years of blogging!
Always interesting to see people’s favourite books. I am a fan of Maggie O’Farrell and this sounds like a great read. I have heard so much of The Dutch House and it is on my list to read, as is The Mirror and the Light. Enjoyed the two previous books. I understand that Ursula Le Guin is a master SF author, but SF is not my cup of tea. I am not familiar with the others. However, I am a fan of Jane Austen but think Mansfield Park is one of the most boring books I have ever read, any author.
It is great to agree to disagree on certain books. I know a lot of people love Mansfield Park. My favourites of JA are Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey. Loved Sandition when I saw the TV-series and will read it this year. Have you read it? What did you think?
I read Sanditon a long time ago and don’t really remember it. I think the TV series was very much not like Jane Austen. SF isn’t really my cup of tea, either, but if you read any, you should read The Left Hand of Darkness. I think The Dutch House was my favorite of the books this year. For Austen, I probably like Sense and Sensibility best, although I have a hard time picking. I also like Persuasion a lot.
Esme Lennox was the first Maggie O’Farrel I read and the book that got me hooked on her writing. After that, I went back and read her back list and then was first off the mark to read everything else she published. No surprise that Hamnet was my favorite of 2020!
I have read a few other O’Farrells and liked them all, but I think I liked Esme Lennox best so far. I don’t think I have read everything she wrote yet.
Well, Hamnet is her masterpiece – so far!!!
I liked it, but I’m afraid I liked Esme Lennox better. I haven’t posted my review yet.
Fair enough!
9 years, congratulations! Your list is full of titles I have on my tbr list so that’s very encouraging!
Thanks! Well, I hope you enjoy them.
Congrats! To many more years of blogging!
Thanks!
Congratulations on your ninth blogging anniversary! I am also happy to see your list of your favorite reads of the year.
Thanks!
Happy Blogiversary and that’s a great list!
Thanks!