Because I've read in the region of 150 books this year (!), I couldn't just pick a couple of favourites. I was going to do the Top 10 best books I've read this year, but I found I couldn't even narrow it down that far, so instead I've picked my favourite non-fiction, young adult and fiction. Non-fiction is
5. What Would Barbra Do? by Emma Brockes
If you’ve ever felt your heart lifted by The Surrey with the Fringe on Top or cried at Tony’s death in West Side Story (and what kind of cold-hearted creep would you be if you didn’t?) then you’ll love this book. Utterly fabulous.
4. Summer At Tiffany by Marjorie Hart
Honestly, it's some time since I've been as excited about a book as I was about Summer at Tiffany. New York? The forties? The cover? 83-year-old Marjorie Hart's memoir of the 1945 summer she spent working for the famous and glamorous store almost seemed as if it was designed with me in mind.
3. The 4-Day Win by Martha Beck
Readable, fascinating and, because it's Martha Beck, hugely entertaining. Has a diet book ever made you laugh out loud before? No, me neither. (My favourite line: "Tracy and I agreed that she would try a two-pronged approach to changing her body and mind. So we got her a fork with only two prongs...")
2. Home by Julie Myerson
An incredible, joyful, inspiring and life-affirming book. I couldn't read it quick enough but also didn't want it to end.
1. Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
I didn't actually review my favourite non-fiction book of 2007, Diane did (she said it was the best book she read in 2005!), but she then loaned it to me and I adored it too. Diane said, "This is one of those brilliant books that makes you wish you'd written it yourself." I couldn't agree more. It also made me want Amy Krouse Rosenthal for a best friend.
