As we near the end of 2021, its time to outline my favourite books of the year, that is 2021.
Its been a steady rewarding year, whilst I had a little mid year distraction, driving sales and business onto the Etsy Store and also the learning curve for the Chamonix 45n2 4x5 large format camera.
Similar to 2020, I have enjoyed reaching my yearly challenge of 52 books (60 at the timing of writing this blog). I have also enjoyed a broad subject matter, that again includes decent coverage into photobooks.
So dive in, I hope there are a couple of takeaways for you.
My Photobook of the year - Jim Marshall - Show me the picture
What an incredible story of photographer, Jim Marshall. So much more than a music photographer (civil rights, photojournalist).
Some of the very best candid intimate images from the 1960s and 1970s and after reading this book, you get an understanding of the mad genius of the man and his character.
There is also a documentary of the same name over on Amazon Prime Video of the same name.
Honourable mentions:
Humans by Brandon Stanton, Gosh what a journey this author has been on. I originally 'stumbled' across the 'Humans of New York' account on the Tumblr platform some 10 years ago. As the introduction outlines, this originally was a genius idea to photograph c.10k people in New York, overtime and will increased confidence, he began to talk to the folk sitting for him.
This account exploded on social media. This eventually led to Humans, where the author travelled the world. This is a lovely piece of work, equally a rich piece of social commentary and photography assignment, which has lead to many many imposters.
A lovely collection of vignettes into people's lives.
Accidently Wes Anderson by Wally Koval is a great coffee table book, it even has the foreword from the great man himself.
Wonderful collaboration for any bookshelf, celebrating the cinematography and aesthetic style of Wes Anderson.
If you love the symmetry and style of Anderson's movies, this is a must for you, as is a visit to the @accidentallywesanderson Instagram page, which was setup by the author.
Godlis Streets - Peter Godlis
Photobook covering the ‘tog’s images of New York in the 70’s and 80’s.
Intriguing selection of New York Street photos from Godlis. Quite a few belters with a nice level of sequencing.
Sports Book of the year book - The Secret Race - Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle.
This year, I surprisingly only read one sportsbook, which was The Secret Race. I'm not a Tour de France aficionado, but found this book engaging.
Whilst this was a particularly revelationary story, I found it an intriguing story about the doping culture within cycling and the ‘do as I say, not do as I do menatility in the pursuit of success.
Biggest Surprise - Tie - This Party’s Dead - Erica Buist & Men who hate Women - Laura Bates.
Whilst I couldnt seperate these two for this award, they are both noted for two very different reasons.
This Party’s Dead is conceptually a unique idea for a book. Following the death of her father in law and the delayed discovery of the body (a week). The author is overcome by grief. She then decides to visit seven death festivals, to understand how different cultures celebrate death.
What pulled me initially to this book was the visit to the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico, this is on my bucket list. Although the book does imply that this is quite a tourist trap now. The authors commentary and experiences at DOFTD are conflicting, the elders are respectful and sombre and the youth are hedonistic. What is the common demoninator, is that the worship and following is from the poorer sections of Mexican society.
I never understood the morose approach we have to death and the funeral, here in the UK. I remember going to a funeral in Ireland in my late 20's, accompanying my mum. The full 5 day wake, coffin in the house, drinking, telling stories, the craic.
The whole experience helped me understand to celebrate the joys of a life. This was the major factor that allowed me to read my dad's eulogy. Recounting the foibles and charmful traits of his character. The short chapters and writing style make this a recommended read.
Conversely, Men who hate Women. Good god, what a shocking state of affairs.
I felt compelled to read this book as a dad of two (14 year old daughter and 18 year old son), I wanted to get an insight into their world, and the mindset of their generation. The hate groups detailed in this book is attributed to the 'keyboard warrior' of internet forums, unpoliced environments, allowing for the proliferation of a toxic ideology.
This is important piece of work, writing and publishing this content, but worrying of what this will lead to.
Biggest Let Down - American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis. So very disappointing. I didn't enjoy this book at all. Whilst I appreciate this is a cult classic, not for me.
Comedy / Satire - Proxopera - Benedict Kiely.
This is a beautiful hidden gem of a policitical satire. All in 94 pages!
Erudite writing about the futility of 'the troubles' on both sides of the community.
Will most certainly lead to me reading more of the author. A wonderful heartfelt collection of works by Hardy.
Dystopian - Never - Ken Follett.
No doubt the inspiration for this book came from the Trump administration. Nuclear war amongst super powers, aka ‘pissing contests with warheads’.
Whilst this fall's short of the heights hit by the author’s other work, still an interesting multilayered story.
Classics - East of Eden - John Steinbeck.
Finally got round to reading this classic. I recall reading of Mice and Men in my early twenties, but not being moved.
This book has deep rich writing, retelling the saga of Cain and Abel. Beautiful.
Honourable mention
Ulysses - James Joyce.
I decided to consume this novel in audiobook format, which I think added to the experience.
Some masterful 'mundane' dialogue, with beautiful writing told and delivered wonderfully well by the cast.
Tome - Fall of Giants - Ken Follett
At 985 pages, this was the biggest book I read in 2021.
This book is the volume 1 in a 3 volume Centurys trilogy. Based around WW1, WW2 and the Cold War. I started this series after finishing the Kingsbridge series by the same author.
Novella - Black Cop’s Kid: as Essay - Kareem Abdul - Jabbar.
At 37 pages, this was the shortest book I read in 2021.
A great essay and consumable read. Never realised his father was a cop. No doubt that inherited strength in character (as well as talent) helped Kareem achieve in basketball.
Memoir - The Man To See - Evan Thomas
Highly enjoyable biography. Detailing the trials and tribulations of a criminal lawyer between 1950's - 1980's. Both pioneering and groundbreaking.
Honourable mentions
A Promised Land - Barack Obama
Been waiting to get round to this one. Revealing insight into the lead up to public office and first term as president.
In parts really quite revealing about the man and not sugar coated. This was slow paced in parts, but this is more complementary about the detail of the writing, rather than the (lack of) quality of the story.
I think it was right to split the memoir over two volumes, with volume one finishing at the end of the first term. What a remarkable man, this story should be an example to all about application and achievement.
Chaise Longue - Baxter Dury
Quite an eclectic memoir structured much like an abstract album with short chapters, akin to the 3 minute song, contrasting and conceptual.
Crazy crazy tales.
History - Empireland - Sathnam Sanghera.
What a rich and informative read about the history and heritage of the empire, imperialism and it's destructive trailblazing.
A mind boggling fact from the book: The British empire was at its territorial peak in the early 1920s, 13.71 million square miles, which represents 24 per cent of the earth’s land area or equivalent to 94 per cent of the moon’s surface area.
The book explains the empires modus operandi which was to take minerals and resources from the world, which is best explained by the fact that: Despite Canada’s vast resources Britain actually considered handing it back to France during peace negotiations, in exchange for the sugar island of Guadeloupe.
Whilst the book explains the correlations of the imperial elitist mindset with that of Brexit, what Brexiteers are failing to understand is that their movement is the antithesis of the empire, for what they appear to hold up as their ideology. We can't really move forward as a country, until we look in the past and teach our kids the full history of the empire in our schools.
Essential read.
Honourable mentions:
Bad Blood - Colm Toibin
Whilst originally written in the late 80's, I thoroughly enjoyed the rambles of the author across the north south border of Ireland.
Lovely writing.
The assassination of Fred Hampton - Jeffrey Haas
I was absolutely compelled to read this book, after watching Judas and the Black Messiah.
Daniel Kaluuya was immense as Fred Hampton.
I am ashamed to say that I was not fully aware of the events leading upto the complicity of state bodies in his assasination, nor the fight to clear his name after his death at the age of 21.
What a legacy. This book is simply essential reading for the 1960's civil rights movement.
The Power of Geography - Tim Marshall
This is such an informative series. Tim Marshall is a genius in being able to explain such complex geopolitical theories in laymans terms. I wish he was on the telly more.
Fiction - Sunset Swing - Ray Celestin
This is the last in the City Blues Quartet series. An excellent police procedural series, based on historical fiction starting with the Axeman Jazz murders in New Orleans in 1919.
Well paced series with some great characters and pacey storylines. Will be intriguing to see what project Celestine sets his attention to next.
Foreign - Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami
I am transfixed by the simplicity of Japanese writing. This is a wonderful novel.
Historical Fiction - Christodora - Tim Murphy
What a little gem of a book. Based in and around the occupants of the Christodora, a New York apartment building.
The story unfolds telling the tale of the hedonism in NY at the time.
The AIDS epidemic is impacting the central characters and the story tells the tale of the folks fight and struggle at the time.
Honourable mention:
Hamnet - Maggie O’Farrell
Finally got round to reading this novel.
Intriguing take on the play by Shakepeare, by O'Farrell. Thoroughly enjoyable and well written.
Political - Tie - The Future of British Politics - Frankie Boyle & The History Thieves - Ian Cobain
I read this political essay, which is the workings of a renowned and outspoken comedian. In contrast, I listened to our Prime Minister at the Cop26 UN Climate Change Conference, littering his speech with jokey football analogies, talking about climate change.
Hmmmmm, generally get more sincerity and empathy with a political comic, than a comical politician. This is an enjoyable essay littered with erudite political observations.
Chronological look at the introduction and amendments to the official secrets act and freedom of information act by sitting governments.
Apparently it's a need to know basis and we do not need to know. Most shocking is that this stance appears to have crept into everyday politics, under the guise of an esoteric manifesto.
Honourable mention:
Anti-social - Nick Pettigrew
This is such a consumable book, observing a year in the life of an ASBO (Anti Social Behaviour) Officer.
Dealing with the disputes and interactions of tenants in council properties, this book for me deals with the outputs of the UK governments 'brainchild' of dealing with the defunding of social care support services for drug addicts, mental health issues and even inner city employment prospects, or lack of.
I didnt read this book as a form of poverty safari, I just find individuals who work in such fields are inspiring folk.
Whilst some may see this as a book that is quite repetitive, I think thats actually the point, complaint, research, file for eviction, court, order, breach of order, eviction, imprisonment. intense responsibility / accountability, with generally nil reward.
Clearly the author has had to adapt to a challegning work environment, with the aid of a very dark sense of humour.
True Crime - Wordcrime - John Olsson
This is an intriguing book explaining forensic linguisitics and solving crime through the unpicking of language.
I quite liked the short concise chapters, made for engaging reading.
Honourable mention:
The killer across the table - John E Douglas
Harrowing yet essential work by Douglas, setting up and establishing the profiling concept in the FBI.
Interviewing incarcerated serial killers, to understand their MO, motivations and state of mind which allowed the FBI to build an understanding of their criminal mind.
The book details some horrifying cases, but the book remains focused on delivering the reason Douglas's work was so important.
Well thats me completed for 2021, hopefully there are some take aways from the above list for you.
Until next time, keep snapping