This week marks ten years since my dad passed away. It feels odd writing that. I've been without my dad for so long now it's hard to imagine what life was like before. And there is a definite before and after that moment. A Rebecca that never got to develop and grow because of what happened on that day ten years ago. A version of me I'll never meet.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to write about this so publicly, but it would've felt wrong if I didn't acknowledge the significance of this day. I remember it so clearly, no matter how many times I wish I could forget it. Walking home from school with my brother to see Mum in our Grandma's car. At first, I thought our car had broken down. But no, we were told that our dad had just died. Earlier on in the day, I'd enjoyed a really great flute lesson and all I can remember thinking is that when I was playing flute for my teacher, was my dad already dead and I didn't know?

His loss was a huge shock for us all and each morning after, I would wake up thinking oh god it's real. He's never coming back. At 15 it's hard to comprehend how the loss of a parent can shift the entire trajectory of your life. Nothing was ever the same. Our family of four overnight became a family of three. Then came the birthdays and anniversaries, the first Christmas without him, and the first holiday with just the three of us.  

Over the last ten years coping with this grief hasn't become easier, but I definitely think about it less frequently. I guess I've just become used to not having him around. School and university took over, and when you are busy it's easier to pretend that none of it ever happened. Of course, this probably isn't the healthiest way of coping with grief. I do worry sometimes that I'm going to forget what he sounded like or what we used to talk about, just him and me. It's not only that I miss him, I miss having a dad. A paternal constant in my life. The relationships you have with your mum and with your dad are different, and I want to have that back. It's hard seeing my friends with their dads, knowing I'll never have that again. 

I've also found that grief manifests itself in random moments, when you're least expecting it. A few weeks will pass when I don't think about my dad, and then I'll watch something that reminds me of him. Just the other day I was watching an episode of Gilmore Girls, in season 2 when Rory comes out at a debutante ball, and her dad presents her to society. It wasn't even a big plot point but it got me all emotional, beacuse I thought about all the moments my dad has missed out on.

I've never told anyone this, but I even have recurring dreams about my dad that seem to come out of nowehere. He appears at our house like he's just got back from a long holiday. And then it's strange trying to get back into our old routines. In my dream, I try to reason with the thought that I was a teenager the last time he saw me, and now I'm 25, a grown women and in many respects a completely different person. Have I changed beyond recognition? I grapple with this adjustment, as we get to know each other again, and then all too soon I wake up, with the realisiation that none of it was real.

This last decade has been hard but I'm proud of the person I've become after such a truamatic event. I think we often forget how strong we can be in the face of adversity and I hope my dad's proud of me, wherever he is. If you're reading this and you're struggling with feelings of loss and grief, I hope you know that you're not alone. No one knows the extent of what someone else is going through, so be kind!

Love,

Rebecca

[...] I could see the ruins of the abbey coming into view [...] for there, on our favorite seat, the silver light of the moon struck a half-reclining figure, snowy white. The time and distance seemed endless, and my knees trembled and my breath came laboured as I toiled up the endless steps to the abbey. 

There was undoubtedly something, long and black, bending over the half-reclining white figure. I called in fright, "Lucy! Lucy!" and something raised a head, and from where I was I could see a white face and red, gleaming eyes. (Bram Stoker's Dracula)

The passage above was one of my first introductions to Gothic fiction. I loved how I could so easily envisage Lucy being bitten by Count Dracula, with the backdrop of the abbey only adding to the horror of the scene. When I first came to Whitby as a child, I was disappointed to realise that Dracula would in fact not be making an appearance. 

Despite this initial setback, I've been an avid visitor to Whitby for as long as I can remember. I love the drive through the North York Moors, looking out onto the hills of heather before eventually spotting the sea over the hill. It's a sight that will always put me in a good mood.

Not only does Whitby have a strong literary tradition and historical significance, but it's also a perfect coastal retreat with opportunities for long walks by the beach and of course the atmospheric abbey. 

The most iconic view of Whitby is overlooking the stunning abbey and harbour. From this viewpoint, you can glimpse the 199 steps leading up to Whitby Abbey. Whitby is split between the east and west sides of town by a swing bridge and by following the cobbled stone streets, you can reach the steps and begin your ascent to the abbey. Although you have to pay to get into the visitor centre, you can just climb to the top and take in the view from the church's graveyard. 

A view of the bridge that separates both sides of town

Climbing back down the abbey steps...

I always pop into The Whitby Bookshop, a quirky independent shop full of new releases and Gothic horror books reminiscent of Dracula. I'm obsessed with spiral staircases, so the one here just had to be photographed. 

When the tide is out, I love to walk on the beach and the last time I was here I visited Sandsend, a three-mile walk from Whitby beach. When it's a bit too chilly to sunbathe, I recommend bringing your trainers so you can go for a long walk. If you're lucky you might get a cute doggy running up to you!

Everyone loves quiet beach walks

If it's your first time wandering around Whitby, you'll notice the abundance of jewelry shops selling Whitby Jet. This type of jet is organic and naturally formed from fossilised wood. It's immediately striking in the shop windows, with its intense black colour and shine. If you want to find out more, check out the Museum of Whitby Jet and the original boutique store that first started selling the jet back in 1860. It was a favourite of Queen Victoria's and now it's a popular choice among the goth community, who travel to Whitby during the Goth Weekend festival.

I can't leave Whitby without having fish & chips. My favourite place to eat is The Fisherman's Wife but there are so many places to choose from. I love it here because you can either sit inside the restaurant or get a takeaway and look out over the beach. 

In the summer months, Whitby can get pretty busy and I'm not the biggest fan of weaving through screaming kids and large families. I recommend either coming here out of season or picking a day mid-week so you can traipse around in relative peace. The pier can easily get packed full of tourists, which is why I always tend to go for a walk. But that's what makes Whitby so great - no matter what time of year, you'll still have the best time.

If you fancy a weekend away or a trip to the seaside, why not try Whitby? I know you'll love the place just as much as I do!

We're halfway through 2022, so it's the perfect time to catch you all up on the books I've been reading over the last 6 months. There's a varied selection here, as per usual I've been popping into my local bookshops and buying whatever takes my fancy. I've found a new favourite author and realised just how many Japanese authors are obsessed with cats!

Peculiar Ground by Lucy Hughes-Hallett

My most recent read has been Peculiar Ground; I picked it up initially because I really loved the cover and when reading the blurb, I found the premise intriguing. 

The novel opens in 1663 with the journals of a landscape gardener, who is building a park for his employer Lord Woldingham. Woldingham wants his park at Wychwood House to be enclosed like an Eden, with the house's inhabitants never needing to leave its grounds. The story then moves three generations forwards, surprisingly showing the estate as the scene of house parties and rock concerts. Although there are major historical changes looming in the backdrop, such as the building of the Berlin Wall, it's predominantly a family drama with secret trysts in gardens and the characters are all linked by the same peculiar ground they share a history.

I love reading books that have a strong sense of place, and Peculiar Ground uses the house and its walls to question the toxicity of an enclosed community. The novel includes a map of the estate, alongside a cast of characters - particularly helpful when I couldn't remember who was related to who!

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

I've heard so much about Piranesi and I was finally able to grab it a few months ago after searching for ages.

Piranesi lives in the House, a place with endless halls and rooms full of monumental statues. There's only one other living person he's seen; the Other, who brings him food and clothes. Piranesi's world is full of wonder and solitude, with occasional tides that bring with them fish, casing the statues with seaweed. As far as we're told, Piranesi has always lived in these halls, but we have no idea if this is a magical place, an imaginary world or something darker and more sinister. 

The style of this book struck me as unusual because sections are split into catalogue entries rather than chapters. At first, the story was quite slow for me and I found it hard to get into because after the first few pages you're left with so many questions. But it's definitely worth sticking with it because you get sucked into the world and end up dying to know how it's going to end. It's also one of the most inventive and puzzling novels I've read, so it's definitely worth a read!

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

After reading Matt Haig's The Midnight Library last year, I wanted to read more of his work. How to Stop Time tells the story of Tom Hazard, who may look like a normal 41-year-old, but he's actually been alive for centuries. Born in 1581, Tom has a medical condition that sees him age much slower than normal. He's not immortal but it can feel like he's 'stuck for ever when, according to [his] appearance, only a decade passes between the death of Napoleon and the first man on the moon.'

The novel is melancholic and sentimental, with Tom unable to move on from losing his first love whom he outlived. He is constantly having to move around to stop suspicion and is consequently reluctant to connect with anyone in the present, knowing that their time will be fleeting whilst he will go on. Although the plot isn't especially gripping, I found it a moving, poignant look at life. It contemplates what it means to live and what makes life worthwhile.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

I purchased the eBook of The Love Hypothesis at the start of the year and I whizzed through it so fast. It plays on the tropes of the rom-com genre in an intelligent way, whilst also being the perfect escapism. You may recognise this book from TikTok or Instagram, as it's developed popularity on social media this year, but for me, it's definitely worth the hype.

As a rising third-year Ph.D. student, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships. But when her best friend refuses to date her ex because of girl code, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees, hoping to prove that she has moved on and is dating. The man in question is Dr. Adam Carlsen, known as one of the most critical and serious professors. What follows is a fake dating charade that is funny and addicting. I particularly love how Ali Hazelwood chose a woman in STEM as her main character, because it means the story isn't just focused on the romance but also on Olive's experiences as a scholar conducting research. If you're looking for a sweet, fun summer read then this is for you!

If Cats Disappeared from The World by Genki Kawamura

Probably one of the cutest book covers ever, right? I've been getting into Japanese fiction recently; shockingly I haven't read any Japanese authors before. Genki Kawamura's novel stood out to me because of its focus on cats, but can you blame me?

I absolutely loved this book, an easy read but one that's emotional and thought-provoking. Its main character has just received the news he has only months to live. With only his pet cat Cabbage for company, he wanders back home in a daze only to wake up hours later with the Devil standing over him, albeit wearing a snazzy Hawaiian shirt. He's arrived to share the news that he's going to die tomorrow, but there's a way around it - if he agrees to make one thing disappear completely from the world, he will gain an extra day of life. 

The only problem is our protagonist doesn't get to choose, it's up to the Devil to decide. Regardless, he says yes a few times because of course he doesn't want to die. Until the Devil decides the next thing that will disappear from the world, if he agrees to it, will be cats...

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

Following my newly found appreciation for Japanese cat literature, The Travelling Cat Chronicles was next on my list. Without giving too much away, I honestly sobbed my heart out when I finished reading this. My emotional turmoil was so profound that my mum actually finished a phone call to give me a hug. 

This book will resonate deeply with cat lovers, even animal lovers in general. We follow the adventures of Nana, a wise stray cat who gets adopted by a kind stranger named Satoru. They have five years of bliss, cohabiting and sharing their lives together. But then one day Satoru packs up his things and takes Nana on a road trip to visit some of his old friends, but he doesn't say why. What follows is an emotional story full of friendship, kindness and above all else an appreciation for all the felines in our lives. 

I loved this book so much and even when the story became heartbreakingly sad, I enjoyed how much fun Hiro Arikawa is having writing from a cat's perspective. It made me think about how our love for cats isn't perhaps as one-sided as we might think, or maybe that's just my wishful thinking!

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

With the Apple TV+ adaptation recently airing, there's been a lot of attention on Sarah Perry's The Essex Serpent. I coincidently read this a few months ago in complete ignorance of the TV show coming out, but I'm glad I've read the book first.

Set in 1893, Cora Seaborne is a recent widow who moves to Essex to investigate the mysterious rumours of the 'Essex Serpent', a mythical creature 'more dragon than serpent' that is said to have been awakened by an earthquake. There, she meets local vicar William Ransome and they strike up a friendship, despite disagreeing on everything. They repeatedly argue over his faith and unwillingness to believe in the serpent, and yet they are drawn to each other. Their relationship is compelling if somewhat doomed to fail romantically because William is married with children.

There's a lot of ambiguity in the book, with faith and science often at odds. I also found it interesting that the love-triangle element of the story that we anticipate causing problems, actually sees two women having a love and appreciation for one another, despite their desire for the same man. This unusual female dynamic is a welcome surprise I enjoyed.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Now to one of the best books I've ever read. The Secret History by Donna Tartt is the quintessential dark academia book, an aesthetic that has become prevalent in recent years. It's a subculture that embodies the idealised image of studying at an elite university, often featuring Gothic architecture, books and libraries.

The Secret History is an inverted murder mystery, with the opening pages reflecting on the events that led to the murder of Bunny, one member of a small, eccentric group of college students at Hampden College in Vermont. Our narrator, Richard Papen, then explains how this gruesome act came to be, and what happens to his group of friends afterward. 

The six students we follow are all self-absorbed, arrogant intellectuals who spend their time debating ancient Greek, taking drugs and consuming unfathomable amounts of alcohol. They're all pretty unlikeable and hard to relate to, yet I still found myself fascinated by their choices and this is down to Tartt's hypnotic writing style. The world she's created here is so unfathomable but incredibly alluring and I couldn't put this book down. By following such a tight-knit group of students, being allowed into their inner circle whilst knowing at some point a member of the group is going to be murdered, I became immersed in the story and loved the slow-building tension.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Needing to read more Donna Tartt asap, I purchased The Goldfinch. It's confirmed what I already knew - I have a new favourite author! She's a very mysterious figure; she publishes a book every 10 years and then disappears. The Goldfinch is Tartt's most recent novel, published in 2013, and so I'm manifesting a new book next year???

It's a story about a young boy, Theo Decker, who lives in New York City with his mother. One day, as they're visiting an art museum, they become victims of a terrorist attack which Theo miraculously survives. In the wreckage, Theo finds the painting 'The Goldfinch' by Dutch Golden Age artist Carel Fabritius and ends up running away with it during his panicked escape. Sadly Theo's mum dies during the attack and he is left alone and bereft. He is subsequently taken in by the wealthy family of one of his school friends but he is haunted by the loss of his mother, seeking solace in the painting that he must hide over the years.

This novel delves into the world of art theft and restoration; it's a bildungsroman at heart, as we follow Theo coming to terms with his tragedy and the implications of stealing the painting. It's heartbreaking and frustrating at times, but once again I was struck by the incredible writing of Tartt. 

The Binding by Bridget Collins

The premise of The Binding intrigued me when I randomly picked it up whilst browsing my local bookshop. The blurb reads: 

'Emmett Farmer is a binder's apprentice. His job is to hand-craft beautiful books and, within each, to capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If you have something you want to forget, or a secret to hide, he can bind it - and you will never have to remember the pain it caused.'

Magical realism is a genre I always enjoy, and so I was excited to see where the story would go. There's mystery and intrigue, as we follow Emmett in his journey to become a binder, but as we witness him frequently experiencing bouts of mental collapse and his complicated relationship with his family, it's clear that all is not what it seems.

I anticipated that Bridget Collins would explore the fantastical aspect of memory binding, and although this is an important aspect of the novel, a huge part of the book is a romance. As a lover of romance, I was pleasantly suprised by this element of the book, but it might catch a few people by surprise if they picked it up solely hoping for a magical adventure.

Booking an impromptu trip to Edinburgh last month was one of the best ideas I've had, not least because it was my first visit to Scotland and I'd been desperately wanting to go for years. We luckily arrived during the few days in March it was sunny, so good job I packed my sunglasses! 

Climbing to the top of Arthur's Seat and back takes about 2 hours and it's a relatively easy climb (although try telling that to my mum haha). I also had no idea that it's the site of an ancient volcano, so that's pretty cool.

Another iconic vantage point in Edinburgh is Calton Hill. Famous for its collection of historical monuments, such as the Nelson Monument and the Scottish National Monument. It's a wonderful place to go for a stroll and look out towards the city.

People were clearly having fun taking photos at the monument!

You can't come to Edinburgh and fail to spot its beautiful castle. From every street, you can see it sitting nobly up high and I was really excited to get the opportunity to look around.

The great thing about arriving in Edinburgh during the winter months is that it's not too crowded. Although there were lots of tourists, it was never overwhelming, and so walking through the castle and museums was a lovely experience.  

Edinburgh Castle is a spectacle to look at, and I definitely recommend paying to go inside if you can because there's so much to see. From the Scottish Crown Jewels to the Great Hall and National War Museum, it's a great place to go if you're interested in history. 

The Great Hall

We also ventured to the National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery. The Museum is so beautiful and has a wide range of displays from animals to technology. We did have to sit down a few times along the way because we'd been walking all day and I couldn't feel my toes! Both the National Museum and Gallery are free to enter, so if it's raining outside or you're tired of shopping, they're both great places to venture into.

Picturesque and hidden away, Dean Village is a great place to unwind away from the busy streets. I've seen photos of Dean Village on Instagram and thought it would be nice to walk there. It's not too far from the city centre and is a quiet place to walk and relax. 

Edinburgh has both the Old and New Town to explore, with the Old Town dating back to the Medieval times and the New Town built during the Georgian era. This means that in between the bustling streets full of shops, cafes and hotels, you have beautiful architecture. Even this adorable bookshop (see below) we found was worthy of appearing in this blog.

Every night we ate and drank in a different Scottish pub along The Royal Mile, the main road in Edinburgh that stretches from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. My favourite pub was The World's End and it was just what you want from a Scottish pub- cozy, friendly and with amazing food. 

I enjoyed this trip so much that I didn't want to come home. The weather was glorious, I walked for miles and miles and bought some more postcards for my collection. I can't wait to visit again!  

16. The Girls by Emma Cline

15. Olive Kitteredge by Elizabeth Strout

I picked this book up randomly a few months ago and had no idea what to expect. It takes the form of short stories that help to build a picture of a community, but it's the character of Olive that ties everything together. Although I enjoyed having a different set of characters to focus on each chapter, with each family/story rife with emotion and conflict, I found it hard to remember what was happening and who I'd already read about each time I picked it up. The collection of stories are all interrelated but it means that as soon as one story gets going we are then moved on to another, so I found the novel didn't have much momentum or excitement. It was a pleasant read but not something I'd ever pick up again. 

I've written about The Confession in one of my previous posts here but I'm surprised at how low down this book came to be on my list. I'm a huge fan of Jessie Burton and I still really enjoyed this book, I just didn't think it was as good as her others. I love books that have narrative time shifts and this is something Burton does exceptionally well, but unlike her previous novels, The Miniaturist and The Muse, the dual time frame here is more recent and thus for me not as interesting. However, I especially enjoyed the conversations between Constance and Rose at the end of the novel and found their friendship to be my favourite part of the book. 

13. Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

12. Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton

Three Hours takes place in the middle of a blizzard when a school is under siege by armed gunmen. The terrifying three-hour period is detailed with different narrative strands that come together to show the collective effort of everyone involved to keep the school children safe. I really liked how every chapter is time-stamped to show how quickly things are unfolding, and this also created pace and excitement. Even though that are frequent shifts in perspective, I was still able to connect with all the characters. 

11. Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

I've been meaning to read this novel for a number of years after first reading Hardy whilst at university. I loved The Mayor of Casterbridge and so I was hoping I'd love this just as much. Tess is just as beautiful and as tragic a story, with Tess's misfortune and sadness only intensifying. As a modern reader, you can feel yourself getting angrier at the injustice of Tess's life and you end up hating every male character. 

I enjoyed reading this but I spent most of the book in disbelief as to what was happening and ultimately I didn't feel as emotionally connected to events as I had anticipated. I was deeply moved by the end of Casterbridge and Hardy made me empathise with his protagonist even though he behaves appallingly throughout, but I didn't feel the same depth of emotion when reading Tess. I'm not sure whether this is because I find Hardy's prose more convincing when he is writing from a male perspective, but regardless I thought it was a good book just not one that I loved.

10. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Another classic book I've only just read, Little Women is a firm favourite! I loved the 2019 film version and the novel was such a comforting read. I felt an immediate affection for the March sisters and it's fun reading about their adventures as they grow from girls to young women. Their chaotic family dynamic is so great to read, the characters burst from the pages and you feel like they could just as well be modern-day heroines rather than characters who were written over 150 years ago.

9. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

I read A Little Life during the summer and it genuinely took me about 2 months to read. Not because it wasn't any good, quite the opposite. It's the most profoundly moving, heartbreaking, beautiful book I've ever read and it's so well written but it was at times for me just too much. 

8. A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson

The first of three Kate Atkinson novels on this list, A God in Ruins relates the life of Teddy Todd. He is a World War II bomber pilot and the novel delves into his experiences during the war and his family life back home. 

As it is a companion piece to Atkinson's earlier novel Life After Life, I suggest you read that first if you're wanting to delve into this. I'm a huge fan of Atkinson and this novel, while not as good as Life After Life, presents a poignant nostalgia for the past. Atkinson writes Teddy as a young boy and we follow him as he grows up and grows old, witnessing his strained relationships with his family and his struggles with civilian life. One of the best parts of the novel relies on Atkinson's research into the period, as she details Teddy's experiences in combat, fearing that every day may be his last. 

7. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

I was obsessed with the BBC adaptation of North and South, because who wouldn't be when it has the gorgeous Richard Armitage in it?? I can't believe that it came out 17 years ago but the novel beats that by having been published in 1854.

As a proud Northerner, I love that the story is set in a Northern town and the characters and story feel real to me in ways that Pride and Prejudice never quite managed. Don't get me wrong, I love Jane Austen but North and South manages to explore romance whilst also being a social novel, focused on the working classes. The conflicted relationship between Mr Thornton and Margaret Hale is so compelling, and I love how both characters are given equal attention by Gaskell, which allows us to see their vulnerabilities and you hope that by the end of the novel they swallow their pride and get together.

6. Transcription by Kate Atkinson

Transcription opens with its main character, Juliet Armstrong, being hit by a car in 1981. If that doesn't grab your attention as an opener, then I don't know what will! We then go back in time to a younger Juliet as she is reluctantly recruited into the world of espionage during the height of World War II. Rather than having a Bond-esque role in the operation, Juliet is tasked with transcribing meetings between low-level Nazi sympathisers. 

I haven't read many spy novels, but this one is surprisingly not that fast-paced, but rather than that being a disadvantage I think this adds to the tension and allows Atkinson to develop her lead character. Everything about the novel is mysterious and murky and I was never sure which characters I could trust. There are funny moments too and moments that show Juliet's naivety in a world full of deceit. 

5. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

It seems like everyone on social media has read this book before me but I'm glad I waited a while before reading it. After the traumatic end of A Little Life, I needed a pick-me-up and first off, the dark opening of this book left me thinking I'd made a bad choice. It opens with Nora about to take her own life, yet at the stroke of midnight, she finds herself transported to a library. But this isn't your usual library, for the books on the shelves represent all the different lives Nora could have experienced had she made different decisions. 

It's a cool concept and one that makes you stop and think about where you are now in your own life. Although sad at times, the novel is ultimately uplifting and comforting because you follow a character who is learning to love and appreciate life again.

4. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

The next four books are some of my favourites I've ever read, so deciding which order to put them in was hard! Life After Life was my first introduction to Kate Atkinson and it's a book that's stayed with me months after first reading it. It relies on a similar structure to The Midnight Library in that it plays with the idea of alternative possible lives, but the lives Atkinson explores come to us far more rapidly and with darker twists. 

The main character Ursula Todd has many iterations of her life, with most seeing see her die in tragic circumstances. As the novel progresses she gains foreknowledge of events and is able to change her future by making different decisions. The multitude of lives Ursula experiences gives Atkinson the opportunity to write about so many aspects of the war experience, from the rise of Hitler in 1930s Germany to the work of civilians during the Blitz. The novel is a testament to Atkinson's skills as a writer and I can't wait to read it again.

3. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

This is a book that when reading it I cried pretty much the whole way through. It is as much about loneliness and social isolation as it is about kindness and friendship. I fell in love with the title character as she's so endearing and vulnerable. Eleanor Oliphant is a woman in her 30s who has no friends, is seen as a recluse at work, spending her weekends downing a bottle of vodka alone in her flat. Over the course of the novel, I found Eleanor's transformation from a solitary, socially awkward woman to someone who finds true friendship and experiences the kindness of others incredibly powerful. I still can't believe this is Gail Honeyman's debut novel, it's that good!

2. Hamnet by Maggie O' Farrell

I couldn't wait to read Hamnet, having heard so many good things about it and I'm so glad it didn't disappoint. Taking William Shakespeare's son as inspiration, O' Farrell creates a fictionalised account of his childhood and the events leading up to his death at only 11 years of age. 

Little is known about the real Hamnet Shakespeare, so the novel fills in the gaps for us in an inspired way, as we follow the little boy through the streets of Elizabethan England and meet his parents. The novel is immersive and holds so much emotion within it that the final chapter had me sobbing. I was also struck by how Shakespeare is only in the periphery of the story, with his wife Agnes being given centre stage.

1. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Finally we come to the book that holds the number one spot for this year - Station Eleven. This book ironically came out in 2014 before Coronavirus became the only topic mentioned on every news channel, and reading it during our very real pandemic in 2021 was pretty eery.