What's the best book you read this year?
That's a pretty challenging question, I've read quite a lot of good ones this year. Memorable reads include Khartoum way back in January, Restless by William Boyd, For Whom The Bell Tolls and The Prisoner of Zenda; which I enjoyed so much I raced through it in one day. It's so hard to pick one, but I've narrowed it down to three. (Hey - I love books, I can't help it!) Worryingly, it did make me think about how many books I have read this year, and it seems I may spend a little too much time reading, if that's possible...
Suite Francaise - a classic, probably one of the best written books I have ever read, it has the scope of an epic like War and Peace, but it's far more readable and enjoyable. One of the true master pieces in the history of literature, I think, it explores the human condition set against the invasion and occupation of France. It was originally to be five books, but tragically Némirovsky was sent to Auchwitz and died with only two written. The back story of the book and how it lay undiscovered for five decades by Irene's daughter who assumed it was her diary and would be too painful to read is also amazing.
Non-fiction wise I've read some very good ones that I'd advise to anyone and narrowing it down is almost impossible, but I chose this one because it's a really impressive biography, and it's on a really awesome man. It's well written and very interesting, Wilberforce was positively unbelievable his achievements are amazing, and while the BBC seemed to spend the spring time being disrespectful to his legacy, the book rightly praises the work he achieved.
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