I didn’t set out to make this the year I read more female authors although every year when I look at what I read, I think that I should. Nonetheless, that is what has happened. 13 out of the 20 books I’ve read this year have been by female authors. This is a lot more than I would normally read. I’m not sure why I tend to be drawn more to male authors. I tell myself that I don’t think about the gender of the writer but there must be something that directs my attention in that way. Perhaps it is the genres that male and female authors stereotypically write in. I’m certainly no fan of romance (and yes I know, some men write romance. I’ve never read Nicholas Spark and I really don’t like David Nicholls. One Day is one of my least favourite books.) Anyway, for whatever reason, there were more women this year. Mostly, it was a good thing with some very enjoyable reads such as Labyrinth by Kate Mosse and Blue Lightening by Ann Cleeves. The only real disappointment was The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold. It’s a long time since I read The Lovely Bones but I really enjoyed it. The Almost Moon was nowhere near as good. Given the difficult mother daughter relationship at its heart, it should have been exciting and interesting but it was sluggish and I was bored by it.

I wanted to have a more relaxed reading year after years of doing reading challenges. The aim was to read some of the big thick books that were on my shelves and that I’d been avoiding. I only read 20 books but some of them took a while. (Also I no longer have a long commute or a lunch break when I get to sit and just read.) I felt like I was reading Wolf Hall for most of the year. Not that it wasn’t enjoyable but it was a slog at times. I enjoyed the beginning and the end but almost abandoned it in the middle. I’m not sure if I’m going to read the others.

Highlights of the Year

1. Labrynth – Kate Mosse

2. Mother’s Boy – Patrick Gale

3. Between Shades of Grey – Ruta Sepetys