This year, like the last, has thrown up many things that have taken time away from reading, but I seem to have found more solace in books than ever before. Perhaps that’s attributable to what I’ve chosen to read; perhaps it’s also that I instinctively turn to books when the world around me makes no sense. I’m grateful to all the authors who have allowed me to travel vicariously and who have reminded me that one of the greatest gifts of reading is a fostering of compassion.
A few stats:
- Books read: 26 (excluding the many read for research)
- Women authors: 19
- Australian authors: 21
- Western Australian authors: 15
- Indigenous authors: 2 (obvious room for improvement)
- Debut novels: 7
- Genres: 18 fiction, 3 non-fiction, 1 hybrid, 1 poetry, 2 YA, 1 junior fiction
I’m never good at choosing one favourite anything, but I will admit to feeling bereft on finishing Donald Stuart’s Shuggie Bain, winner of the 2020 Booker Prize, and it took me ages to recover from it. And Robyn Mundy’s Cold Coast took my breath away—literary historical fiction at its finest. One of the highlights of the year, for me, was the chance to interview Robyn live at Beaufort Street Books in November, her fleeting visit to Perth just squeezing in before the borders between WA and Tasmania closed.
This year I introduced a new series of author interviews, Talking (new) fiction, and featured six new novels that I loved, and loved delving into:
- Josephine Taylor, Eye of a Rook (Fremantle Press)
- Susan Midalia, Everyday Madness (Fremantle Press)
- Michael Burrows, Where the Line Breaks (Fremantle Press)
- Zoe Deleuil, The Night Village (Fremantle Press)
- Robyn Mundy, Cold Coast (Ultimo Press)
- John Hughes, The Dogs (Upswell Publishing)
Huge thanks to Jo, Susan, Michael, Zoe, Robyn and John for their time, their goodwill and their thoughtful, often thought-provoking responses.
Next year’s interview list is already in preparation, and the first post ready to go. I’m looking forward to spending time with some exciting new works.
But for now, thanks to you for reading and for all your valued comments. I hope reading has brought you much to think about in 2021, along with an abundance of joy.
looking up/looking down 
All but one of your favourites are on my TBR! Happy new year to you and yours x
Thanks, Julia. And all best to you all x
Thanks as always for your much appreciated blogging, Amanda. I have both The Dogs and Cold Coast on my TBR, thanks to you. Here’s to a happy, healthy and productive new year in 2022.
Ah, that’s lovely, Angela. Thanks so much for reading, and all best to you and yours. x
Amanda: thanks for the consistent effort you put in to supporting fellow authors and the world of words in general. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend a book evening with you in November. Thank you for being a reader, writer, reviewer and friend. 🥰
Thanks, Robyn. Absolutely my pleasure, and I’m so glad you were able to visit us over here. x
Love your choices and recommendations Amanda. Cold Coast also blew me away, and Shuggie Bain is on my reading list this year.
Thanks, Rashida. A few people have told me Shuggie was too grim for them, but it’s so incredibly powerful and strangely tender. I’d love to know what you think when you do get to it.
Thank you again for alerting me to Cold Coast, it really is a splendid book, and it’s one of the reasons I never miss your posts because sometimes this is the best place to get advance notice about a book.
I really liked Where the Line Breaks too.
Thanks so much, Lisa, and I’m very happy to know you enjoy reading them! Such brilliant books, Cold Coast and Where the Line Breaks.
Thanks Amanda! I can’t wait to read Gold Coast. I was sorry to miss the talk at BSB. Happy New Year (of reading). Linda x
Ugh! ‘Cold Coast’
🙂
It’s something to look forward to, Linda! Thanks for reading, and all best wishes to you. x