MY 2024 READING HIGHLIGHTS: FICTION

In fiction, my reading this year has been eclectic. It has roamed, but these were my highlights.

I reread a few favourites from my youth, including this excellent volume of Robert E. Howard's Conan stories, edited by Stephen Jones, and including some illustrations by the fabulous Les Edwards. Howard was a terrific writer with the senses and instincts of a poet. He was one of the first writers to make me want to write stories too.

Conan Doyle's 'The Lost World' was an absolute pleasure to read again, as was Sapper's 'Island of Terror'. That very volume our Dad read to us when my brother and I were boys.

I haven't read as much contemporary horror as usual but I really enjoyed Paul Tremblay's 'Horror Movie', Nathan Ballingrud's 'Crypt of the Moon Spider' and 'William' by Mason Coile (the latter on my kindle).

You just can't beat a really well-researched, well written and expertly plotted thriller. 'I Am Pilgrim' by Terry Hayes filled me with dread. John Connolly's 'The Nameless Ones' had me gripped. Organised crime and terrorism - Serbian witchcraft in the Connolly too - and compelling stories.

I thought 'Yellowface' by R. F. Kuang was exceptional and probably the best depiction of traditional publishing that I experienced in my time as an editor (glad to be out of it!). I read the novel on holiday, on my kindle.

As a writer, my admiration of George Simenon's hard novels continues. As a reader, my enjoyment matches my admiration. 'The Hand' was my favourite and reminded me of John Cheever. Similar milieu, similar precision, similar exceptional characterisation.

The rest are in the stack.

On kindle: