My ten most memorable books of the year.

I’ve read at least 56 books this year, including travel, non fiction and autobiography, but mostly fiction. I did jot them down but think one or two slipped under the radar! Add to that some text books relating to work - educational, interesting but not much fun.

Here are the ten that are most memorable in no particular order. I’m judging them in terms of enjoyment and their impact on me, which in my view, is the most important point of reading.



The Swimmer - Roma Tearne

Brixton Rock - Alex Wheatle

Brenton Brown - Alex Wheatle

Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood

For a Pagan Song - Jonny Bealby

The Shop Girl Diaries - Emily Benet

The Pursuit of Love - Nancy Mitford

Live Eels and Grand Pianos - Andrew Bradford

Finding George Orwell in Burma - Emma Larkin

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox - Maggie O'Farrell

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a merry Christmas, or Season's Greeting if you don't celebrate Christmas, and a healthy, peaceful New Year.

Presents under the tree are lovely to give and receive but the things I've enjoyed giving most this year are Kiva loans to people in the developing world to fund their businesses - it's such a joy when a loan is re-paid and I can then loan it to someone else along with a small gift to Kiva to keep their work going. www.kiva.org

One of the best things I have received this year, is the skills of a surgeon and his colleagues courtesy of the NHS and its hard-working staff (of which I am also one) and the kindness of my family and friends.

I have also seen in my local community how people working together can achieve quite remarkable things, so with those thoughts in mind I wish you all a happy, peaceful and healthy New Year.