[Eric]

I think that the Anglo-Welshman Charles Morgan was my greatest discovery this year. Both his novels The Judge's Story and his fine essays in Reflections in a Mirror.

Two other authors I have read very little of (a story each), but to whose works immediately gave a good feeling were the Québécoise author Anne Hébert and the Finland-Swede Johanna Holmström. But I must read more by them to confirm this intuitive opinion.

The Fleming Annelies Verbeke also shows promise, as does her compatriot Rachida Lamrabet. Again, just a story or two, but I'm looking forward to reading more.

Another short-story author I'd never heard of before is the Swede John Ajvide Lindqvist whose novella Gräns (Border) impressed me.

On the poetry front, I discovered the poetry of the rather gloomy Finland-Swede Arvid Mörne. I had heard his name a lot before, but had never read any of this work. Also, the Afrikaner D.J. Opperman, who is rather classical in his approach.

With regard to non-fiction, the best book I read this year was by Boris Johnson: The Dream of Rome.

Finally, the Norwegian author Frode Grytten, who writes excellent short-stories set in the fjords and the town of Odda. I read several, plus a novel.