The month that seemed to last an eternity had at least one upside – a strong start to the year for me, reading-wise!
Across a total of 5 books, totalling over 1800 pages and 21 hours, my personal highlights were:
Moscow X – David McCloskey (2023)
I’ve struggled lately to be captured by much fiction – but couldn’t put this spy thriller down.
Former CIA analyst McCloskey masterfully portrays the difficulties of modern subterfuge with its inevitable twists and turns, intriguing characters, and inherent danger on every page.
The often rapid change in setting between chapters is vital to the drama-creating pace of the narrative and I would highly recommend. McCloskey manages to convey complex espionage technicalities without at any point making it a difficult read, or relying on the reader’s suspension of disbelief.
I can’t wait to dive in to another McCloskey – and fortunately for me, he’s written plenty!
Londoners – Craig Taylor (2011)
As someone who disrupts the rush of passengers by standing in awe of the view from Blackfriars station – I find London enthralling! Albeit, with the caveat of being nothing more than a regular visitor and often squished commuter.
An easy-going read, Taylor vividly explores the relationship between the city and its (current and former) inhabitants through a series of characterful, insightful and authentically captured interviews. There’s a great mix between the quotidian and tales from larger-than-life individuals.
As a piece of oral history, Taylor’s commentary is minimal and while you may need hundreds more volumes to even scratch the surface of London, there’s a great diversity to the voices and experiences in this book.
Educated – Tara Westover (2018)
Westover’s powerful memoir documents her traumatic experiences growing up in a survivalist family in Idaho, and how enrolling in classes set her on a long but ultimately transformative path.
Her narrative throughout portrays how despite her treatment at the hands of her family members, she retains an almost unmatched sense of love, loyalty, and forgiveness.
Westover avoids mockery even of the most difficult characters, instead showing her struggles in straddling the line between compassion and progression.
Honourable mentions
Chris Bryant’s Code of Conduct offered some thought-provoking and detailed thoughts on potential reforms to Parliament. Now he is a serving Government minister (although not Leader of the House), it will be interesting to see what reforms he is able to push for.
Miles Jupp’s Fibber in the Heat was also a funny read for a cricket lover, documenting his attempts to make the unusual career switch from children’s TV to cricket journalism.
Top stock photo credit: Susan Q Yin on Unsplash
