2. Delirium - Lauren Oliver
Wow, just wow. The “Dystopian Romeo & Juliet”, as multiple reviewers have dubbed it is all that and more. Romantic, clever, heart-racingly dramatic, utterly believable in its portrayal of a society that has found a ‘cure’ for love. Just because it’s written with young adults in mind, doesn’t mean we all can’t enjoy it.

3. A Sense of an Ending – Julian Barnes
Rarely has a book so short, provided so much to reflect upon. Weeks after finishing it, I’m still not sure I’ve totally resolved it all in my mind. Brilliant in every way. The unpeeling of memories and constructed narratives to reveal what may or may not be the truth.

4. A Cruel Bird Came to the Nest and Looked in – Magnus Mills
Another thought provoker. In his own allegorical way, Mills shines a light on society, the class system, the cold war, communism, progress and the interaction of men (it is always men with Mills). Some of his books haven’t quite reached the gold standard of Three to See the King (my personal favourite) and All Quiet on the Orient Express. This is one of his better efforts.

5. Pigeon English – Steven Kelman
An insight in to a completely alien (to me) world, that of young immigrants in London – but compelling for its detail, and its depictions of the challenges and choices faced by young people growing up in a hostile environment. The ending, foreshadowed throughout, still takes your breath away.

Fiction

Freedom – Jonathan Franzen
It’s enormous, and clever – at moments maybe too clever. And the characters are all pretty horrible, and there’s a moment in the middle when you’re not sure you care enough about any of them to read another 300 pages. But persevere...it is a magnificent book. As epic as it aspires to be. Big themes, great set pieces, just difficult to really love.

American Wife - Curtis Sittenfeld
Incredible story. Utterly believeable – I felt I understood the Bushes much better as a result of reading it. It felt true, if that makes any sense, even though it is clearly fiction.

Prep - Curtis Sittenfeld
Hugely enjoyable tale of a young girl from no-where not quite fitting in at a posh school. As a working class boy who managed to not-quite fit in at an English university, I found much I could relate to. Sittenfeld’s ability to get inside a character’s head – and take you there too is uncanny.

There is No Dog - Meg Roscoff
Great concept – God is a teenage boy. But the love interest was too shallow, the life of the Gods too human, and the resolution at the end just too convenient.

Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson
Classic - free download on the Kindle app on my phone. Good solid adventure.

The Submission - Amy Waldman
Much like Freedom - it’s brilliant and epic and feels important. But I’m struggling to love it. Unfinished at time of writing, but I’ve read enough to know it’s not quite making the top 5.

Miscellanious non-fiction
Alex’s Adventures in Numberland – Alex Bellos
As a reformed mathematician, parts of this gave me enormous pleasure. But as good as it was, it took ages to read, because I’d prioritise other books over it. Which probably isn’t a glowing recommendation.

Poor Man’s Parliament - Martin Shipton
Very few people tell a better story over a pint than Martin Shipton. But it’s an odd hybrid book. Neither definitive history of the institution, nor personal memoir. Yet, it’s telling of some of the big stories is deft, and it rattles along at journalistic pace. As someone who was at some of the meetings and events referred to, it was like looking at other people’s pictures of your wedding. Nice to flick through, but not quite how you remember it.

Just for One Day: Adventures in Britpop - Louise Wener
There’s a full review available here [insert link], but its quite fun in its own way.

Sports:
The Football Men – Simon Kuper
Marvellous collection of essays about the great players of the age. Kuper’s character analysis – particularly of the Dutch and French players is scalpel sharp. Hugely readable and enjoyable.

Open – Andre Agassi
Really open, wide open. A great example of what an Autobiog should be. Frank, and full. The anecdotes about ‘The Friends’ are ace.

Pedalare! Pedalare! - John Foot
As much a history book as a sports book, but a great way of looking at Italian history, and the story of Coppi and Bartali at the heart of it is just gripping. The later, disillusioned chapters on the EPO epoch are also worth reading - because as disappointed as Foot is with its leaden footed heroes and management, he never quite gives up on the sport.

Fallen Angel: the passion of Fausto Coppi - William Fotheringham
More detail than necessary. But a good story - both in the cycling bits and in his personal life.