2020 on Goodreads

26 books. 10 less than last year. After covid dissipated as a major disruption to my working life time was very much of the essence. Work became hectic and long. I began to take later in life exercise as important to my wellbeing and spent at least a couple of hours a day walking. This all changed my reading habits. I am not sure it was that good a reading year other than a couple that stood out.

I will aim for 20 books this year.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2020/6852430

Non Fiction

Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis by Jared Diamond
Abysmal.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3099895125?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Vietnam: The Australian War- The Illustrated Edition by Paul Ham
Poor.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14776016-vietnam

Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks
It was interesting to read my review back. I have since discovered Spotify and it has changed my music listening. It has allowed my need to discover and listen to new music to be reignited.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/232295289?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The Brave Japanese by Kenneth Harrison
Very good.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2645236761?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Conquest: The English Kingdom of France in the Hundred Years War by Juliet Barker
Interesting.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/696199407?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Introducing Literary Criticism: A Graphic Guide.
Disposable.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3496198403?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Toussaint Louverture by Madison Smarrtt Bell
Informative.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/233733252?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1mative.

The Last Battle: The Classic History of the Battle for Berlin by Cornelius Ryan
A must read Classic in its field.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2096221906?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

A Brief History of the Middle East by Christopher Calderwood
Poor.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1634978731?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Fiction

Jimmy Brockett by Dal Stivens
One for those with an interest in Australian literature from another time.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2894006396?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Drums of Mer by Ion L Idriess
An enjoyable though bloodthirsty tale from the Torres Straits. I actually learnt a lot.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2680086209?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The City & the City by China Miéville
Very good and for me at least an amazing concept.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2893978454?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares
Another concept that caught my imagination.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3192109796?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The Street of Crocodiles by Bruno Shultz
All very weird and metaphorical but at times exhilarating.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3227966098?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Le Grand Meaulnes by Alain-Fournier
With apologies to David Mitchell.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2718006098?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Bloodfather by David Ireland
Grabbed me and spat out the ideas. My hidden gem and my best read this year.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1883873440?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell.
Far from a bad book but by the authors high standards all a bit forced.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3285560113?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The Plains by Gerald Murnane
Bizarre.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2151816150?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The Roving Party by Rohan Wilson
Van Diemen's Land gothic literature at its best.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2132887804?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

To Name Those Lost by Rohan Wilson
More Van Diemen's Land gothic literature and still very good.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2245703331?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Seriously poor.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3438584508?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Lost Illusions by Honoré de Balzc
At times very laborious.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/515558074?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The Well-dressed Explorer by Thea Astley
Anyone that likes the works of Thea Astley will not be disappointed.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2004923938?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The Book of Night Women by Marlon James
Challenging but superb.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2571899660?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The Mango Tree by Ronald McKie
Very good bildungsroman.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2004924316?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Epitaph of a Small Winner by Machado de Assis
I missed something I think.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2256968748?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1