For the last reading list of 2020, I have three very different suggestions. The only thing they have in common is that all of them are extremely interesting and well-written books.
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Now, this one is hard reading, but written in a wonderful style. “When four graduates from a small Massachusetts college move to New York to make their way, they’re broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition. There is kind, handsome Willem, an aspiring actor; JB, a quick-witted, sometimes cruel Brooklyn-born painter seeking entry to the art world; Malcolm, a frustrated architect at a prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as their centre of gravity. Over the decades, their relationships deepen and darken, tinged by addiction, success, and pride. Yet their greatest challenge, each comes to realize, is Jude himself, by midlife a terrifyingly talented litigator yet an increasingly broken man, his mind and body scarred by an unspeakable childhood, and haunted by what he fears is a degree of trauma that he’ll not only be unable to overcome – but that will define his life forever.” Among other things, it was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2015. A novel not easily forgotten once you finish it.
2. Murderous Contagion: A Human History of Disease by Mary Dobson. “Murderous Contagion tells the compelling and at times unbearably moving story of the devastating impact of diseases on humankind – from the Black Death of the 14th century to the Spanish flu of 1918-19 and the AIDS epidemic of the modern era. In this book Mary Dobson also relates the endeavours of physicians and scientists to understand and identify the causes of diseases and find ways of preventing them. This is a timely and revelatory work of popular history by a writer whose knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, her subject shines through her every word.” Interestingly enough, this was written in 2015, well before the pandemic. I guess she’ll be obliged to do an updated edition. Worth reading to anyone with an interest in diseases in history.
3. In the name of Rome by Adrian Goldsworthy. One of the best books I have read about Antiquity in a long, long time. “The Roman army was one of the most effective fighting forces in history. The legions and their commanders carved out an empire which eventually included the greater part of the known world. This was thanks largely to the generals who led the Roman army to victory after victory, and whose strategic and tactical decisions shaped the course of several centuries of warfare. This book, by the author of THE PUNIC WARS, concentrates on those Roman generals who displayed exceptional gifts of leadership and who won the greatest victories. With 26 chapters covering the entire span of the Roman Empire, it is a complete history of Roman warfare.”
What about you? What did you pick up to keep you company during Christmas holidays? Let me know here or get in touch on the social.
Murderous Contagion would most appeal to me, I suppose, but, to be honest, I have been trying to offload more books than acquiring new ones (though I’m a sucker when it comes to charity bookshops as I can’t resist the combination of a tempting title or author and a brilliant bargain).
If you haven’t read Piranesi yet — I don’t think you’ve mentioned it before here — then I’d recommend you somehow get this for Christmas, as it’s the most recent title that has captivated me.
Great, thanks for the suggestion! I will definitely get it 🙂