Time to look back at the books that have accompanied me through the past twelve months.

This was the year I discovered Alan Bennett. I'd been aware of his work before, but this year I became an addict. His short stories, monologues and plays have been entertaining and inspirational.

But he wasn't the only author to hold my attention.  Joseph O'Connor's stunning novel set during the American Civil War was challenging, but ultimately satisfying. Meanwhile, Tim Moore confirmed his place in my Pantheon of favourite authors with his funny, yet poignant look at the zero heroes of Eurovision.

One author I didn't expect to read this year was Albert Camus. When The Plague was passed on to me, I didn't expect to finish it. However, I found it strangely compelling, and went on to read another Camus classic, The Outsider. 

The less I say about David Baldacci, the better, and I probably won't be beating a path to Douglas Coupland's books, either.  But a couple of turkeys in a couple of dozen books isn't too bad. 

And a special word for Neil Steinberg's Hatless Jack. Taking the widely held view that President Kennedy single-headedly killed the American hat business, Steinberg proceeds to debunk the myth, while taking the reader on an entertaining and informative journey through the lesser-known byways of the presidency. It gets my vote as my offbeat read of 2007.

So, farewell to the year that was. But before closing the door, here's my bite-sized book review of 2007. In reverse order of enjoyment...

Title: The Collectors
Author: David Baldacci
Review: A thriller that wasn't from a writer who couldn't. Awful.
Score: 1/10

Title: JPod
Author: Douglas Coupland
Review: Follies in geekland. Disappointing.
Score: 3/10

Title: This Book Will Save Your Life
Author: A. M. Homes
Review: Silly satire on Californian suburban life. Puzzling.
Score: 5/10

Title: The Edifice Complex
Author: Deyan Sudjic
Review: Deliciously gossipy insight into architecture as a weapon of mass seduction. Entertaining.
Score: 6/10

Title: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Author: Jonathan Safran Foer
Review: A youngster unravels a mystery left behind by his father when the Twin Towers fell. Moving.
Score: 6/10

Title: The Outsider
Author: Albert Camus
Review: Bleak story of a man who appears indifferent to his fate. Depressing.
Score: 6/10

Title: Be Near Me
Author: Andrew O'Hagan
Review: A parish priest's ministry turns tragic in a decaying Ayrshire town. Poetic.
Score: 6/10

Title: In God's Name: an investigation into the murder of Pope John Paul I
Author: David Yallop
Review: Dodgy doings at the Vatican. Compelling.
Score: 6/10