I always have fun making this list but, for the first time, it was easy as well as fun. There was no struggling over what belong in each spot and no angst-ridden hours spent juggling the merits of one book over another in deciding which deserved to make the list. These are, without a doubt, the ten best books I read in 2012. They have stuck in my mind since I read them and I cannot go a day without recommending at least one of them to friends, family members, other bloggers or people I randomly meet on the street (like the woman I met at the coffeeshop on Friday. Such are the dangers of engaging me in conversation). Without further ado, here are ten best books I read in 2012:
10. The Home-Maker (1924) – Dorothy Canfield Fisher
This is, quite rightly, one of the best-loved Persephone titles among readers. It is a wonderfully thoughtful book about gender roles, societal pressure, and personal fulfillment and treats all of its characters – adult or child – with respect for the everyday struggles they face.
9. Two-Part Invention (1988) – Madeleine L’Engle
This book was heartbreaking, beautiful, and, above all, surprising. It is a portrait of L’Engle’s forty year marriage written during her husband’s final illness but it is also a reflection on her faith and what religion meant in her life. It is a highly emotional and intelligent book and I cried more tears over this than anything else I read this year.
8. The Siren Years (1974) – Charles Ritchie
No matter how many times I read this (and I have lost count at this point), it remains the best wartime diary I have ever come across. Ritchie’s diplomatic and social connections in London exposed him to an extraordinary variety of people, from political leaders and petty bureaucrats to authors and exiled royalty. The joy of Ritchie’s diaries comes from the meld of political details and domestic ones. I find it just as interesting to hear about how the Canadian High Commission handled refugee claims as I do to discover what Ritchie saw on his walk through London each day on the way to work or what he talked about at lunch with Nancy Mitford. 
7. Leningrad (2011) – Anna Reid
I still get chills thinking about this book, which looks at what happened to those trapped in Leningrad while it was under siege during the Second World War. It is uncomfortable and upsetting to read but so very well done.
6. The Headmistress (1944) – Angela Thirkell
Possibly the most perfectly-formed of Thirkell’s Barsetshire novels, The Headmistress focuses on the experiences of the Belton family during the Second World War. Mrs Belton, the middle-aged mother of three, is one of Thirkell’s best heroines. Her struggles to understand her adult children and to live with her constant fear for her sons broke my heart.
5. The Laskett (2003) – Roy Strong
A gardening tome that even non-gardeners would love, this book describes the evolution of Strong’s garden at his country home, The Laskett. Though there are plenty of details about the garden’s layout and plant choices, what makes this book special are the stories Strong shares about the friends and experiences that influenced the garden’s formation. This is a garden that clearly reflects both Strong and his wife’s personalities and experiences and it is a book that acts as a tribute to their delightfully unique lives. 
4. Good Evening, Mrs Craven (1999) – Mollie Panter-Downes
A wonderfully varied collection of short stories about life in England during the Second World War. Panter-Downes’ domestic focus exactly suits my tastes as does her interest in the quiet disappointments and muted struggles faced by her characters. There is nothing sensational about the events in these stories, making them both relatable and, to me, touching.
3. It’s Too Late Now (1939) – A.A. Milne
2012 was the year of Milne and as much as I loved his plays, his pieces for Punch, his passionate plea for pacifism, and his light verse, it was his autobiography that gave me the most pleasure. Looking back on the first fifty-odd years of his life, Milne joyously recalls the happy days of his childhood and, later, his determined pursuit of a writing career. It has nothing in common with gossipy tell-alls and that is part of what I loved about it. It is a fun book to read and I suspect Milne had even more fun writing it.
2. Fräulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther (1907) – Elizabeth von Arnim
It has been a long time since I’ve fallen as hard for a fictional character as I did for Fräulein Rose-Marie Schmidt. These letters, written to her erstwhile suitor Roger Anstruther, reveal a woman who is both romantic and practical, youthful and mature. She is clever and funny and resilient and I want to be her almost as much as I want to befriend her. 
1. The Element of Lavishness: Letters of Sylvia Townsend Warner and William Maxwell (2001) – edited by Michael Steinman
I read this in January and, honestly, no other book I read this year came even close to eclipsing it in my affections. I had never read anything by either Warner or Maxwell before and knew very little about either of them but that made no difference. Through their letters, I got to know both of them intimately and to witness the wonderful warmth and depth of their friendship as it evolved over the decades. While both were extraordinary writers, it is Warner’s letters I remember the best now, almost a year after I read them. She wrote beautifully about the domestic details of her life and the letters written between the death of her partner Valentine and her own death are as good a record of aging and loss as I have ever read.
I’ve seen The Home-Maker appear in more than one ‘best of the year’ list this year. It sounds wonderful and I really must read it soon.
It seems to have been a popular pick in 2012! But I am not surprised that it made so many lists; it is that wonderful.
Your lists are always so wonderfully eclectic, Claire! So lots that I love, and lots to explore. The Warner/Maxwell letters would have swept to no.1 of my 2011 reads, if it weren’t for me reading Patrick Hamilton then. And It’s Too Late Now might well be in my all-time top ten.
The one I most want to read is Two-Part Invention now… (and the von Arnim, but that goes without saying.)
Eclectic is my favourite adjective, Simon! I am going to have to try the Patrick Hamilton one day: any book that can bump those letters out of top spot must be read.
I think Two-Part Invention would be perfect for you. It has a happy marriage, behind-the-scenes theatre talk, and lots of intelligent discussion about faith. What is not to love?
I am so green with envy its untrue! what a fabulous selection of books. Enjoy them all.
The very best to you for 2013.
And all the best to you too, Mystica!
What a wonderful mix of books! I love seeing where our reading has overlapped. I agree with you about The Headmistress of course – I love the opening, with so many old Barsetshire friends dropping in to tea with the Beltons (and no surprise that I also agree with you about Mrs Belton). You have again added to my reading lists (and TBR stacks) this year (Fraulein Schmidt is on the shelves, just waiting til I recover from The Pastor’s Wife). I picked up London War Notes from the library on Saturday, and have two of Roy Strong’s books on request. As I think I said already, but it bears repeating, I can’t wait to see where your reading takes you in 2013! I hope the new year brings you all good things, and lots of books to share with us.
Fräulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther would be the perfect recovery from The Pastor’s Wife! I promise it has none of the unpleasantness or uneasiness of that book. I also picked up London War Notes on Saturday and can’t wait to start reading. And I really, really want to know which of Roy Strong’s books are on their way to you!
It’s high time I read The Home-Maker as I have this on my Persephone bookshelves (a little Victorian swivel mahogany bookcase, actually, which suits my Persephones down to the ground.) And glad The Laskett made it to the top ten!
Listened to the Cazalets on Radio 4 this morning. An excellent start to this drama series – not too many characters were introduced in the opening episode, which was just as it should be for those who haven’t read the books. Loved it. Never known a quarter of an hour go so quickly.
The Laskett absolutely deserved its spot in not just the top ten but the top five books from 2012. Thank you again so much for introducing me to it (and to Strong).
I haven’t listened to the Cazalets yet but am planning to catch up tomorrow.
Isn’t it great having a year like this–when it’s so obvious which books are the stand out ones?! There are several here that I really want to read–I was so close to reading The Home-Maker–next year for sure (and where did you get that copy with the great cover–I can’t seem to find it). I really want to read Charles Ritchie for my diary project and Elizabeth von Arnim–just because she’s a delight. Hope you have a lovely New Year and best wishes and happy reading in 2013!
As much as I have enjoyed the thought I had to put into my previous lists, it was fun to be able to make this one so quickly. I am nervous and very eager to hear what you think of Ritchie!
You started off with two that I really love: The Home-Maker and Two-Part Invention. Such great marriage stories!
I have Good Evening Mrs Craven on my shelf, along with several von Arnims and a Milne or two (the latter being on my e-reader), although I don’t think I have the ones you mention.
Your shelves sound well-stocked, Teresa! I wish I had more of Milne’s books but they are so difficult to find here. Still, it is always fun to have a reason to keep my eyes peeled whenever I’m in a bookstore!
Oh, another list that will play havoc with my 2013 reading. I’ve been meaning to look for the William Maxwell letters since I loved the ones he exchanged with Eudora Welty. The only Elizabeth von A. I’ve read is The Enchanted April, and I remember reading Madeleine L’Engle years ago and loving it. As for dear Angela, I’m grateful to you for bringing us back together.
Happy New Year, Claire!
I have never read anything by Welty so perhaps her letters with Maxwell would serve as a good introduction! And I too am grateful to have reunited you with Thirkell: the more bloggers who read and write about her the better!
Scribbing furiously…your enthusiasm is so contagious, and always costs me a chunk of change. 😉 But, as I am trying to buy less until I read more of what I have, I’m making good notes. What a great year of reading!
It was a great year, Susan. Thank you for all the comments you left; I appreciated every one. Good luck curbing your book buying in 2013!
I haven’t read any EvA yet which makes me feel a bit sheepish but Fräulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther will work beautifully for my century of books. 🙂
I found von Arnim incredibly useful for my Century. I used five of her books for the 1900s alone! But she is not only useful, she is also wonderfully entertaining and intelligent. I do hope you read some of her books and enjoy them!
I am so glad that you liked the Maxwell-WArner correspondence. Sylvia Townsend Warner wrote at least one lovely novel, “Lolly Willowes,” and some very wicked short stories. You might find a discounted volume of the latter on Amazon, while the novel remains in print. Her essays are also worth reading.
I am interested in tracking down Warner’s letters with David Garnett but, for now, that is all. I did love her pamphlet on Jane Austen though, which I also read in 2012. Virago just reissued Lolly Willowes in the spring (with a lovely cover) so hopefully it should be readily available for a while!
Mmm, nice list. They all sound enticing; a few of them are already on my own must-read list, which just serves to strengthen my desire to track them down!
Thanks so much for sharing, and wishing you many just-as-wonderful reads in 2013!
Barb, your arrival in the book blogging world was a major highlight of 2012 so thank you!
What an interesting list and a book of letters to top it all off, I read a Maxwell novel for the first time this year and enjoyed it very much, I have also been meandering through the letters of Gustave Flaubert and George Sand which are wonderful.
All the best for 2013!
Sounds like you had a great reading year too, Claire!
Have just started reading The Home-Maker – bought when it was first published by Persephone in 1999 and on the bookshelf since then – and absolutely loving it! Thanks for again drawing my attention to this book.
Happy New Year!
I am so glad you are enjoying it, Margaret! However divisive some Persephone titles may be, this is one everyone seems to adore.
More relevant to previous year’s top books, but I thought I’d come back and add that I was given Skylark for Christmas! I’ve wanted to read this ever since I saw how much you loved it – and now I can. Such a beautiful NYRB book, too.
Yay!!! I cannot wait to hear what you think of it!
After reading your list (and your previous comment on said post) I am so glad that I picked up The Home-Maker in London!
I have also just loaded the Elizabeth von Arnim on my ereader today. I think I had better read it soon. It sounds really good.
I think you will adore The Home-Maker, Iris. And I’m delighted to hear you’ve loaded the von Arnim onto your e-reader – a great way to start 2013!
inspiring titles!
you will find my list in this post:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2013/01/03/year-of-reading-2012/
I loved The Home-Maker too. I’m nearly halfway through the Persephone list, and I still have a bunch on my TBR shelves unread.
And I didn’t even finish reading your post before I searched for Fraulein Schmidt and put an ILL request in for it! It sounds wonderful. I still have Mr. Skeffington on my TBR shelf too. . . too many books!
Oh, I’m so pleased that you’ve ordered the von Arnim, Karen! It is a fantastic book and my favourite of her novels (and I love most of those, too).
Surprised that you only have one Milne in your list after your enthusiastic year. One of my new year book resolutions is to read more von Arnim.
I loved almost everything I read by Milne last year but the only book other than his autobiography that could have challenged for a spot on this list was Peace with Honour. It was a really great reading year!
My TBR list always grows by a mile at the end of the year when everyone lists their favorites. The Laskett looks fabulous, I love that kind of book. And The Element of Lavishness, you saying you didn’t know anything about the pair and loved the letters convinced me!
Mine too! The Laskett is really beautiful and The Element of Lavishness is, as far as I am concerned, perfect. I hope you get the chance to read both!
I might have to put Leningrad on my list after reading your review. Last year I read a similar book by Michael Jones. Here’s a link:
http://maphead.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/true-tales-of-survival-leningrad-by-michael-jones/
The Jones book sounds very interesting. I am certainly wanting to read more about Leningrad after having read Reid’s impressive book.