I was very happy today to hear on the radio news that in the last year sales of books had increased and sales of e books had decreased for the first time! Yipee! This means that I am not alone in my love for the real thing - a lovely book to hold, to carry around, to cuddle up with at night. New books have the wonderful smell and the sense of anticipation as you wait to be the first person to read it. Old books have character and history and connection. I have no real issue with e books, and I can't really comment on them as I've never actually read one and am not in a hurry to either.
This news coincided with my idea to post a photo of all the books that I read last year. This idea is in no way original as I've seen it on other blogs, and I thought it would be a fun exercise to pile them up and reflect on what I've read. After a search through the house I found the 13 books in the photo above - so not a bad start, more than one a month.
Then over the next few days I remembered a few other books that I had read but had borrowed:
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Questions of Travel by Michelle de Krester
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
Animal People by Charlotte Wood
Then looking back at my blog posts I was reminded of this most amazing and wonderful book. I don't know how I could have forgotten it! I was so moved and inspired by the stories in Far from the Tree. All I can say is read it please. 
Another post reminded me of these books - a few made it to the big pile. I have to admit to starting The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan and not being able to finish it. This was also the case with Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. I tried, but maybe my head was not in the right space for either of them and I do believe that there are way, way, way too many books waiting to be read, to persist with one that's just not doing it for you.
As well as Far from the Tree the stand outs for me included Bonfire of the Vanities which I read after our holiday in New York. It was brilliant and as it was my Dad's copy from 1987 I was treated to his personal addition in the form of an article on Tom Wolfe tucked between the pages, and that feeling of closeness to Dad that I get when I read his old books. I also loved Currawong Manor which was made extra special by my regular meetings with the gorgeous Josephine as I walk to work or the shops. Animal People by another local Charlotte Wood was a great entertaining and clever read and I also found The Blue Zones potentially life changing - I am now aiming to live to 100!
So there you go, about 20 books in total. I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself and feel inspired to try and read more this year. I started the year with The Hamilton Case by Michelle de Krester and I am currently in the midst of We are all Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler (fantastic title!).
What did you read and love? Do you find enough time to read? I am so thankful that I am able to make time for reading - it truly nourishes me.
Vanna xxx
