Well, the last 12 months have rather disappeared in a blur of responsibilities and illnesses, so I haven't had much time to read or write — or blog about either.

But then I decided to do this catch-up reading post.

I went through what I'd read in the last year. It's not nearly as much as normal, and not as wide-ranging, but it's way more than it felt like I'd read.

So all those bits of time tucked here and there really do add up.

Here's what I've been reading:

• The Secret History, Donna Tartt (reread). I'd had a few disappointing reads, so wanted to treat myself to an absolutely solid novel. I first read this on publication, so it's been a long time. It was brilliant to revisit it and it really rewarded a second reading.
• Spy Hook, Len Deighton. I've been enjoying this series.
• Spy Line, Len Deighton
• The Mission Song, John le Carré (reread)
• The Godfather, Mario Puzo (reread)
• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, George Saunders. One of the best books on reading as a writer, and writing, that I've ever encountered. It felt like being a student in his tutorials. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and felt like it helped hone my craft.
• Liberation Day, George Saunders
• Spy Sinker, Len Deighton
• Faith, Len Deighton
• Hope, Len Deighton
• Moonraker, Ian Fleming
• A Delicate Truth, John Le Carré (reread)
• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin.
• Charity, Len Deighton
• Single & Single, John Le Carré (reread)
• Absolute Friends, John Le Carré (reread)
• You Only Live Twice, Ian Fleming
• Red Snow, Will Dean
• Standing in the Shadows, Peter Robinson
• A Winter Grave, Peter May. A really interesting approach of a crime thriller, mixed with near-future speculative fiction. The speculative fiction part was gradually dripped in as a subtle background rather than being front and centre, which added to its power.
• The Kind Worth Saving, Peter Swanson
• The Burning Time, Peter Hanington. Yes, I started reading these out of order but it didn't matter too much. This is a thriller featuring an old-timer BBC Foreign Correspondent (Imagine if Jackson Lamb reported for the Today programme) who gets in too deep in stories in dangerous places. Well written and very entertaining. I'll read the rest.
• A Dying Breed, Peter Hanington. Said so.
• White Nights, Ann Cleeves
• 1979, Val McDermid
• Moskva, Jack Grimwood.
• 1989, Val McDermid