2021; a very good reading year

First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR to this fabulous community! 2022 must surely be an improvement on its predecessor... 

I’ve read some truly great books this year, making my usual annual number of 22. Not loads but boy, there’s such great writing here: I've loved all of these. Today my favourites are The Mermaid of Black Conch, Piranesi and The Mothers, but what of Jon McGregor and Ingrid Persaud? Impossible to choose. It’s a massive breath of fresh air to finally have access to a wonderful choice of writers of colour, especially women authors. Reading stories and learning from the lives of others is the best treat and, on a society level, such a positive way of dismantling barriers.  

Two books are missing, one is William Boyd’s very disappointing Trio - perhaps the most irrelevant story of the year, it’s already gone to Oxfam; and Nicola Williams’ Without Prejudice that I’ve loaned out.

The pile of books for 2022 already looks very promising.

What’s been your favourite? Any recommendations?