This year I did a lot of reading.

Leaving aside non-fiction and work reading, I read 49 novels this year — almost one a week.

There were also at least 4 novels I started but decided to abandon in the first quarter of the book. These were mostly thrillers where the writing, plot and characterisation were just too painful to continue.

In many cases this year I was reading around the genre I'm writing in, with thrillers of the political/tech/spy variety. In other cases I just wanted damn good writing to admire and be inspired by. And in others still, I simply sought escapism into brilliant fictional worlds.

I've just looked back at my notes, and these are my favourites. Books that gave me greatest enjoyment, and in many cases have stayed with me.

• Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver
• Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel
• Sea of Tranquility, Emily St. John Mandel
• Killing Commendatore, Haruki Murakami
• Kafka on the Shore, Haruki Murakami
• Karla's Choice, Nick Harkaway
• The Tsar of Love and Techno, Anthony Marra
• Parable of the Sower, Octavia E Butler
• The Eagle Has Landed, Jack Higgins
• The Overstory, Richard Powers

Next year I plan to read less, and write more.

That means I want to be far more selective about books I choose to pick up.

Until now I haven't tended to read blurbs or reviews, just launching into books I come across that might be interesting. That's led me to regret a few choices (including the four I abandoned).

This year I'd like to read more:

• Political/tech/spy thrillers, of course — but really, really well written. Thrillers where I can learn from the craft, as well as being swept along by the action.
• Epic stories across generations or different characters (like The Overstory)
• Stories that open my eyes to new perspectives and situations (like Demon Copperhead)

All recommendations welcome — and I'll also be reading blurbs and reviews thoroughly to be very selective!