My favourite books this year

I have so far read  87 books this year. Here are ten of my very favourite ones, without any special order, except the first one with is my absolute favourite.  

Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami

"In Killing Commendatore, a thirty-something portrait painter in Tokyo is abandoned by his wife and finds himself holed up in the mountain home of a famous artist, Tomohiko Amada. When he discovers a previously unseen painting in the attic, he unintentionally opens a circle of mysterious circumstances. To close it, he must complete a journey that involves a mysterious ringing bell, a two-foot-high physical manifestation of an Idea, a dapper businessman who lives across the valley, a precocious thirteen-year-old girl, a Nazi assassination attempt during World War II in Vienna, a pit in the woods behind the artist’s home, and an underworld haunted by Double Metaphors. A tour de force of love and loneliness, war and art—as well as a loving homage to The Great Gatsby—Killing Commendatore is a stunning work of imagination from one of our greatest writers."

I really loved this novel, but found it difficult to review. So much magical realism where the real world meets another world. What is real and what is not? That is the big question.

Two novels of historical fiction by Linda Lappin is on the list. Loving Modigliani: The After Life of Jeanne Hébuterne and Katherine's Wish (about Katherine Mansfield). Insightful and beautiful written accounts of two women. 

Two novels also from Lucy Foley. This time thriller/mystery tales of murder among old friends. The Hunting Party and The Guest List. 

One biography; about one of our great, female writers Selma Lagerlöf. A thorough account of her life by Anna-Karin Palm, Jag vill sätta världen i rörelse.

One classic from Pär Lagerkvist, Barabbas. A fascinating tale about the man who was set free in order to prosecute Jesus. 

A new historical, detective kind of fiction is The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. Two timelines, two stories and an insight into London at the end of the 18th century.

To finish off this list I have two Nordic writers. The Son of the Thunder God by Arto Paasilinna (Finland) and Löpa varg by Kerstin Ekman (Sweden). The first one a somewhat different tale of the son of a God who is sent to try to convert people on earth. The second one about a hunter who, with age, takes a look at his life, his relationship with nature, animals, especially the wolfs and the people around him.