This year, I read a total of 37’450 pages in 139 books and 37 graphic novels. Still far too much! However, I realise that reading is my way of relaxing, so it’s therapeutic and I should just accept that.
Which books did I love this year? Firstly, Proust deserves a special mention. I read all seven books of À la recherche du temps perdu and also four companion books: Proustonomics by Nicolas Ragonneau, Paintings in Proust by Eric Karpeles, Proustian Uncertainties by Saul Friedländer, and How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain de Botton. They are all very different, but they highlight so much information about Proust and his books. I also read all of Han Kang’s books that have been translated into English: The Vegetarian, Human Acts, The White Book, Greek Lessons and We Do Not Part, learning parts of Korean history. As usual, most of the books sent by the Shakespeare and Company as part of A Year of Reading were amazing. Two other incredible books were All Fours by Miranda July and Yellow Face by R. F. Kuang. Finally, I read a few books by Frieda McFadden, just to see what everyone was talking about. In terms of graphic novels, I read another by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim, Mauvaises herbes, which covers also a period of Korean history. I also read two books by Maira Kalman: ‘My Favourite Things‘ and ‘Principles of Uncertainty‘. I really love the way she draws. La Crevette by Salomone and Zidrou was very cute, and I loved reading the graphic version of Watership Down.
