I find my Books of the Year vary wildly between blockbusters that have captured the literary world, be it fiction or non-fiction, and sometimes something that is personal. This year my choice is very personal.
It is La Bella Figura by Kamin Mohammadi
I reviewed it earlier this year and here is my review. I will not repeat myself as the reasons why I loved it are all there. However, I just want to reiterate how much I loved this book and how much it resonated with me. Apart from the connection I felt it is so beautifully written, easy and flowing and just carries you along.
Since reading and reviewing the book I have carried on with the resolutions I made while under its immediate influence. I have learned to say no to stressful things I am asked to do; I have tried, not always successfully, to pace myself and I have concentrated on the things that mean the most to me and that is friends and family.
I regard 2018 as a year in which I have relaxed, though I know that sometimes my frenetic blogs seem to contradict this, and appreciate myself and to treat myself with respect.
So I thank Kamin for writing this book. This book may not have changed my life in that I want to go off and climb Ben Nevis or go pony trekking in Outer Mongolia, but it has changed it in a smaller but just as important ways and, therefore, I have no hesitation in nominating it Random Book of the Year.
