I enjoyed some superb reads this past year. There were also a good half-dozen (or more) that I read in part before dumping, safe in the knowledge that I could move on and never wonder about the outcome of the story.
From mid-July to mid-October I was studying to become a mediator and so most of what I consumed - not logged here - was related to mediation, including a number of audiobooks of two to five hours in duration.
As always, a mix of fiction and non-fiction. I'm really enjoying books about people's lives (not adventurers, sports stars, politicians or celebs - just regular people with that something interesting in their life - profession, an experience etc).
Let's jump in...
When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman and Rocket Men by Robert Kurson are my two favourites from this selection. When God was a Rabbit is a tale - a beautifully woven story about family and friendships and love. It is unsurprising that this book has won various awards.
Rocket Men is astounding. I loved it. Much like Rocket Girls, which I read in 2023, this book is about getting the first humans to the moon. The technical information is superb, the calculating, trajectories, risks... Absolutely incredible.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed is a thru-hiker account of the Pacific Crest Trail. Thoroughly enjoyable read too.
The other three books are fast-reading fiction.
Again, the non-fiction stood out for me with four great books here.
The Adventurer's Son by Roman Dial was superb - and sad. Roman's son went missing in Costa Rica. Roman was an adventure racer and I've run down the western coast of Costa Rica, including into the Corcovado National Park, so I felt a connection going in. Roman's story about his life of adventure, his son growing up and how they raised their children was fascinating. And his account of searching for his son had me searching alongside him with each page turned.
Better Living through Birding by Christian Cooper was read by the author - very good - and also very well written. I enjoyed the account of his life, and how he got into birding as well as his passion for it. I learned much from him on this. What was even more insightful was his experience of racism in the US. Insightful and deeper understanding and learning for me. If you'd tried to sell me on a book about racism, I would have passed it up, but how Cooper tells his story of his life and experiences - eloquently, with humour and with birding as the core theme, was very well done.
Lethal Tides by Catherine Musemeche about marine scientist Mary Sears is outstanding! Mary Sears was at Woodshole Oceanographic Institute (Massachusetts), which is where I spent a couple of weeks back in 1998, so I could picture the place and the area. What an absolutely incredible woman! One of the things that stood out for me in this story of marine science, oceanography, tides and war, was how much was accomplished, organised and coordinated on a massive scale by phone and mail in the time before email and whatsapp, and computers. Libraries, information, writing and publishing reports, data, research, referencing, scientific journals... Incredible. Sears dedicated her life to her work and in so doing advanced the field of oceanography and left an indelible mark.
Bill Bryson is a gem. I've read a number of his books including my favourites 'The Mother Tongue: English' and 'How It Got That Way', 'At Home: A Short History of Private Life', and 'A Short History of Nearly Everything'. This one, The Body, was thoroughly interesting although I had the feeling that I'd read it before. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the refresher. Bryson writes with good humour and wit, delivering a load of information in a neat and entertaining package.
I love Jeffrey Archer and had not read one for ages. While I can't remember the storyline now, I recall that I enjoyed it. Housewife's Secret is in the same boat. Entertaining read.
The Body on the Shore - general fiction read. Enjoyable whodunnit.
Fredrik Backman is one of my favourite authors and I've read most of his books. This one did not disappoint. A beautiful story of lives and friendships.
Lisa Sanders consulted on the House series, which I loved for the medical mysteries and diagnoses. Watching the TV show, I'd always try to figure out the condition before it was revealed. So this book, Diagnosis, was a delight. I enjoyed the case presentations and again trying to figure out the diagnosis with the clues presented.
I've been subscribed to Mark Manson's e-newsletter for a few years. I like his practical and philosophical insights. While I can't recall specifics about this book, I enjoyed the listen and picked up some good stuff to think about.
Sharks Don't Sink by Jasmin Graham was brilliant. Aside from the interesting research and marine science content, I was again captivated by her insights about being a black woman in science and academia. Coming off Cooper's birding book, I was more attuned to Jasmin's reality.
If you've loved The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls and Educated by Tara Westover, you'll devour Daniella Mestyanek Young's Uncultured. Like the other two, it is a story about overcoming difficult, unconventional upbringings (she grew up in a religious cult), family dysfunction, survival, and self-discovery - and success. I loved every page.
Chasing Hope by reporter Nicholas D. Kristof was fascinating. An account of his life of reporting around the world for major media over many decades.
Robert Galbraith's detective Cormoran Strike books have been part of my reading life for a decade now. I've read maybe six of the seven in paper / kindle, and the rest have been audio. The reader Robert Glenister is phenomenal; I chose audio-only from about the 4th book. They're usually over 30-hours long, so excellent value. I did a binge listen on this one - I could hardly put it down. Following Strike and Robin's case is always enthralling. Actually, their relationship and interactions with each other has certainly superseded the case content that they are investigating for me - and Liz.
If you have not read any of these, I recommend starting from the first book in the series. Sure, you can drop in with any book (each book is a case), but you'll get the most out of getting to know the characters as they have developed over the last 10 years. Galbraith is JK Rowling, writing under a pseudonym.
The other books in this group: regular fiction entertainment.
In the last four...
The mediation book was for the course that I did. We only had to read a section, but I ended up reading the whole thing, especially enjoying the transcripts from a few matters that were mediated. It took me a while to get through but was well worth the time.
Then two quick fiction reads before my last book of the year, The Socrates Express by Eric Weiner.
I read this as an audiobook but I think paper would be better to be able to add tabs for parts that stood out and also for easier re-reading. This book certainly gave me a lot more insight into philosophy and philosophers (I'm very much a stoic). Weiner covers 14 philosophers from ancient to modern, mixed in with interesting content about their lives, influences, thinking, influences and the time and place in which they lived - together with Weiner's travel and experiences. At some stage I'd like to relisten to the last few chapters.
I feel like I could have done 'better', but a few months of studies and numerous lemons lowered the count. Overall, a good bunch of reads.
Onward into 2026.
