Reading

Yesterday, I wrote about my commitment to read a little every day.  Another promise I made to myself a few years ago was that, once I had read a book, I would either give it to someone else or donate it. I am old enough to realise that the shelves of books I have read are just dust magnets. I will rarely re-read a book. There are too many new ones to start. And, if I do want to re-read it, I should buy a second-hand copy.

But I keep them to photograph them together until the end of the year. Taking pictures of the books makes it easier to let them go. Here are the two I read in 2021, thirteen in 2022, and fourteen in 2023. I usually post pictures of last year’s collection at the start of the new year, but for some reason, I didn’t do so this year. 

Today’s picture features the 2024 collection. There are fewer than last year, and I don’t know why. I have to picture them today because I am taking two of the detective stories to give to my Mum, so this is the last day the collection will be complete. The rest will be donated in the coming days. I enjoyed them all; it’s hard to pick a favourite.

Reflecting on my 2024 challenge, I immersed myself in narratives crossing Britain’s landscapes. Christian Wolmar's British Rail offers a compelling re-examination of the state-owned railway's history, challenging common negative perceptions by highlighting its innovations and contributions to the UK's transport system. Similarly, Robert Elms's London Made Us serves as an homage to the capital, blending personal memoir with cultural history to depict a city in constant flux, yet deeply rooted in the experiences of its inhabitants. If you love London in any way, you must read it. 

Rory Stewart's Politics On The Edge provides an insider's perspective on the tumultuous world of British politics, offering candid insights into the challenges and absurdities of governmental life, many of which paint our politicians and the political process in a poor light. Probably one of the most frustrating things I have read for a while. In music, Trevor Horn's Adventures in Modern Recording delves into the evolution of the recording industry, discussing the technological and creative shifts that have shaped modern music, and all to a backdrop of songs from my childhood: Video Killed the Radio Star, Mirror Mirror, Poison Arrow, Relax/Two Tribes, Do They Know It’s Christmas, Left To My Own Devices and many more.

In fiction, I returned to Christopher Fowler's ‘Bryant and May’ series with White Corridor and The Victoria Vanishes, which continue the intriguing cases of the Peculiar Crimes Unit, blending mystery with a different view of London's rich tapestry. Jonathan Whitelaw's The Bingo Hall Detectives introduces a duo of amateur sleuths, bringing humour and heart to the cosy mystery genre. Richard Osman's We Solve Murders introduces new detectives. It is a more sophisticated novel than his previous mystery books, less of a cosy mystery, combining wit and suspense as it follows another detective duo navigating a world of high stakes and private jets. Lastly, Nick Grimshaw's “Soft Lad” is his memoir, which has prompted me to seek out more of his work. I often mention his Dish podcast. I’ve also downloaded the BBC serialisation of this book, so I will, no doubt, listen to it at some point. Does that count as re-reading?