2024 Reading highlights: 'Babel', 'How To Lose The Time War' and 'Bellies'
2024 was another great year spent gobbling up some good books. Falling just short of my ‘50’ book target, I enjoyed 46 books across broad genres from: (my bread and butter) Dystopian reads, to Romance, Horror and non-fiction. Take a look at a few of my highlights below.
Looking to invest in the life of a complex character? Try ‘Lessons’ by Ian McEwan
This is the wonderful story in the life of Roland Baines, a committed single-father and part-time bar pianist who reflects over formative experiences he had at boarding school and how these shaped his life. Seduced at a young age by his school piano teacher, Roland’s education, future relationships and work opportunities are forever altered. If you like novels that track a character’s life (such as Any human Heart) - this might be worth a read.
Want a fresh, experimental read that explores themes of grief? Try ‘Isaac and the egg’ by Bobby Palmer
I was gifted this book at our English Teacher Secret Santa exchange and it far surpassed my expectations. Initially a little nutty and surreal, it follows the protagonist’s peculiar experience with a noisy duck-like creature that he finds in a forest. I’m glad I stuck with this book. The end of the novel is incredibly touching and gives an insightful perspective on grief. It is both imaginative and tender.
Do you like gaming and strategy? Are you on the hunt for a fast-paced, highly-conceptual story? Try ‘This is How You Lose the Time War’ by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
This book is nothing short of brilliant. The plot follows two rival agents tasked with ensuring security for each of their worlds which are under constant attack. They leave breadcrumbs through secret messages, try to establish the extent to which they can trust one another and dare to chance a hazardous meet when the stakes are sky-high. This book was something totally new for me and the fact it was co-authored added a fresh and engaging dynamic to each narrative voice that kept me on my toes. Truly original, creative and strategic, ‘This is How You Lose The Time War’ had my brain puzzling out the plot throughout. Bizarre, enchanting and satisfyingly intertextual, the novel captures our modern context at its best. It’s full of love, treachery and imagination and offers a major plot twist at the end, if that’s your cup of tea, why not give it a go!
Love losing yourself in narrative world-building and fancy yourself as a bit of a linguist? ‘Babel’ by R.F. Kuang might be for you
Principally based around Oxford University in 1828 at a tower of translation called ‘Babel’, the plot follows the journey of a migrant orphan from his youth in poverty-stricken Canton to England where he receives a strict British education by a peculiar Professor. Schooled in ancient languages such as Latin and Greek, the protagonist Robin Swift is later accepted into Oxford University where he expands his horizons and tries to establish his sense of self in the presence of the wealthy elite. Babel explores how the University drives the creation of wealth through the magical art of translation, helping to position Britain as a colonial power on the world stage. Not only is the world-building fantastic in this novel, but its linguistic ingenuity and ethical/sociological narrative is deep and resonant. As tensions rise between the Empire and China, Babel follows the movements of a secret organisation hell-bent on disrupting the colonialist regime and poses questions for Robin about the extent he will tolerate exploitation of others for personal gain, status and academic advancement. Babel is an ambitious and intellectual novel that offers both fantastical and historical richness. It is challenging, probing and curious - definitely not a whimsical read but rather one that will broaden your awareness of institutional/colonial power structures and the exploitation of young scholars within an established, self-serving institution. A beautiful depiction of the discovery of inner resolve, friendship and cultural identity, the book also celebrates the beauty of Oxford, the enchantment of education and prizes the moral growth and autonomy that it fosters. A truly GREAT read.
One for the curious romantics, ‘Bellies’ by Nicola Dinan is a tender portrayal of a same-sex relationship as it navigates the complexities of a transitioning partner
In a quest to expand my reading round diverse authors, I was recommended this novel by a friend. ‘Bellies’ is a deeply emotional and intimate portrayal of the budding relationship of two gay University students as they come to terms with their own sexualities and true identities. The novel explores the evolution of emotional and physical dynamics in the relationship, as one of the pair decides to transition and undergo gender reassignment surgery. The prose is both sensitive and beautifully intimate. It’s safe to say Nicola Dinan writes desire really well - this book is flirty, sensual, tender, sad and simultaneously very lonely. I appreciated the nuanced and complex characterisation of both Ming and Tom as Dinan follows their relationship through its highlights, seasons and struggles, but I principally took solace in the writing of some wonderful, steadfast friendships. There was real depth to the novel and I had a good weep at the end. Without question this book deserves 5/5 stars. An emotional ride, but a beautiful one.
