I’m feeling very pleased with myself having kept my books of the year to twenty for the third time running. A long, dry summer probably helped, offering opportunities for getting out and about. Even at the start of the year, H and I had sunshine for our London break, much of which we spent 
Two January titles got my reading year off to a good start beginning with Catherine Airey’s Confessions, an involving tale of two Irish sisters, one of whom emigrates to New York to take up an art school scholarship ticking two of my literary boxes. Máire and Rósín’s stories span several decades beginning in the 1970s when they’re growing up in an Irish village not far from the house which one will paint and the other will eventually live in, making it the setting for a choose-your-own-adventure computer video game. There’s a coincidence that may irritate some, but I was so engrossed by the time I got to it that I was more than happy to continue the ride. A long, intricately plotted, luxurious read, perfect for long winter evenings.
Which could also be said of January’s other favourite, Lucy Steeds’s The Artist. It begins in 1957 with a woman gazing at a painting she knows intimately in London’s National Gallery before winding back to the summer of 1920 when a young art journalist travels to France, hoping to interview the notoriously reclusive Edouard Tartuffe. Tata’s every need is attended to by Ettie, so self-effacing Joesph barely notices her at first. As the summer wears on, Joseph unravels a perplexing mystery, and Ettie sees a way for her talent to be recognised. Steeds’s debut is gorgeously immersive, the summer Provencal landscape and the food it produces vividly evoked. A pleasure to read in winter
A short break in Stockholm broke up what’s often my least favourite month where we had dry, sunny and surprisingly mild weather. Not much holiday reading but there were two standout February titles the first of which was Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June which follows Gail whose daughter is about to be married, beginning with the rehearsal day which has already started badly for Gail, summoned to her boss’s office for news which sees her walking out of her job. Then her ex-husband turns up unexpectedly, complete with a foster cat, needing a place to stay. When Debby drops a bombshell, Gail immediately switches into fretting mode while Max takes a more considered stance. Tyler unfolds this short novel about marriage, love and relationships through Gail’s voice with characteristic insight, empathy and humour.
My second February pick is The Café with No Name by Robert Seethaler, one of my favourite authors. Opening in 1960s Vienna, against a backdrop of a social change as the city picks itself up after the war, it follows Robert Simon, an orphan and market handyman, who has long dreamed of running a bar. Before long he’s busy enough to take on practical, no-nonsense Mila who becomes virtually indispensable. As the years roll by, happiness is embraced, small tragedies play out, the occasional drama flares up. Seethaler excels at writing about everyday life from the perspective of ordinary people. Nothing much happens in his novels, yet they are full of rich detail, humanity and humour for which a café offers the perfect setting. High expectations for this one were more than fulfilled.
I was so impressed with Anthony Shapland’s use of language in A Room Above a Shop, I assumed he was a poet, but he 
turns out to be an artist. Set in a small Welsh village in the late 1980s, his debut sees two men carefully find their way to a relationship that becomes love, B working in M’s shop and living in the bedsitter above, next to M’s room. Downstairs they continue their performance of staff and shopkeeper, stifling their horror at the screaming ‘gay plague’ headlines announcing HIV/AIDS, quoted in tones of disgust by customers. The relationship between B and M is beautifully drawn, their public days hedged around with self-restraint and a performance of straightness lest anyone guess they’re lovers. Shapland captures how exhausting that must be, and how infuriating. It’s a striking piece of writing, brief but extraordinarily powerful.
Spring’s favourites shortly which include one from a favourite Irish author plus two more impressive debuts…
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Well, I’ve read four of your choices. Like you, I read The Artist very early on in the year, but knew immediately it would make the cut as the year ended. I hope Lucy Steeds doesn’t turn out to be a one-trick-wonder. Woman in Blue? Tick. Both of those are in my Top Ten which I’m currently preparing (Two lists, one F, the other NF). I read the Tyler when it came out, and was in fact disappointed in it. I love Robert Seethaler’s work too, and I seem to remember this one made it into my Top Ten last year. Your other two choices look to be Treats in Store for me. Looking forward to your next chapter of Top Reads!
Second novel syndrome’s always a worry but I’m hoping Steeds will dodge that. Looking forward to seeing what’s made it onto your Top Ten.
I’ve read two of your choices – The Cafe with No Name and Woman in Blue – and I’ve just bought myself a copy of The Artist and have high hopes for that. Haven’t even begun to think about my top 10. I’m hoping the list of books I’ve rated 5* will do the job for me.
I always start early – it’s the old bookseller in me. I think there’s a very good chance you’ll enjoy The Artist. Looking forward to seeing your BOY post.
A Room Above a Shop was well and truly on my radar after Novellas in November – it got a lot of mentions.
I listened to an audio of the Tyler – I enjoyed it as well (won’t make my books of the year) but I thought it was well-constructed and kept my interest.
I loved the Shapland. They’ve changed the cover for the paperback which is such a shame. My hope is that Tyler will deliver another novella.
These all sound great. Especially The Woman in Blue and The Café With No Name, The Artist too sounds promising!
Hard to fathom its already time to look back at the reading year!
I know what you mean about time, another cliche of growing older that turns out to be true.
Highly recommend Dounglas Bruton’s fiction which usually has an art theme. He’s such an interesting, inventive writer.
Have read and loved Tyler’s and Shapland’s books. Still to get to Airey. Have ordered Steed’s in my library. Burton sounds interesting. I am nearly finished Scaffolding by Elkins. I think you reviewed it here. Very interesting book indeed.
I think Scaffolding got a mention in a preview but I’ve yet to get to it. Pleased to hear it worked for you.
I’ve read none of these but the Shapland, Airey and Steed are all on my list!
All good, and I think you’d like Bruton’s fiction, too, most of which has an art theme.
Great selection!
I looked up the origin of the “confessions” cover photo because it looked so familiar I found this story: https://rps.org/news/journal/2021/november/bruce-davidson-tells-the-story-behind-girl-holding-kitten/
“Her name was Carol, and I didn’t really talk to her much at the time but a few months ago her sister Christine, who appears with her in another image from the same set, got in touch with my studio,” he explains. “Some people who see the picture assume Carol is a runaway because she’s carrying a sleeping bag, but she and her sister had been hitchhiking around the Lake District, winding up in London for a concert.
“Her sister said they’d had an amazing upbringing in a loving, close-knit family. When they got older both sisters toured the world as part of a professional ice-skating troupe and had a wonderful, happy life. Carol is sadly no longer with us, but her sister now lives in Australia.”
Thank you, and for looking up the story. The sisters obviously captured Davidson’s imagination. It works well for the book although I did puzzle over that kitten. No kitten references that I can remember.
I was just thinking about Bruton yesterday – thank you for the reminder about Woman in Blue. I’m off to order my copy!
I’d have to find a hat to eat if you don’t love that!
I loved the Tyler, too, and I’m keen to read the Shapland.
The Shapland’s a contender for one of my top three this year. I hope you love it as much as I do.
I haven’t read any of these and they all sound superb, I’ve bought the Shapland as a gift but I just hope someone gives it to me too!
Oh, that’s lovely. Maybe a few hints need to be dropped…
Yes Confessions, Three Days in June & Woman in Blue – all so very different and each an incredible read. Have added the others to my list!
It was a great start to the year! Hope you enjoy the others, too.
Totally agree about the Bruton – his books are amazing!!
I was so pleased that many bloggers sang this one’s praises, including you!