Best of 2010: Books

A list of 10 (okay, 12) great reads from 2010:
The first four were Whitney winners in April:Counting the Cost, by Liz AdairThe Last Waltz, by G. G. VandagriffThe Chosen One, by Carol Lynch WilliamsIn the Company of Angels, by David Farland
I love the language and stories and so much more about these books. (I loved lots of other Whitney books, but I read most of them in '09, so I'm not counting them here.)
Favorite Romances of the year: Courting Miss Lancaster, Sarah M. EdenCross My Heart, by Julie Wright
I'm betting these will both be Whitney finalists (both of these writers have been finalists before). They're so good that I'd be surprised if one of these two books doesn't take the award for Best Romance.
Side note: Sarah's next book, Kiss of a Stranger, just hit stores!
Favorite National titles:The Hunger Games and series, by Suzanne CollinsLoved all three books. Lots to discuss and think about. Disturbing, but in a good way.
The Help, by Kathryn StockettWow. Had to stay up late, tears streaking down my cheeks, to finish this one.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie BarrowsFinally got around to reading this recommendation from Melanie at Write Stuff (She was the first of many to tell me I'd love it. I did.)
Non-FictionMother Had a Secret, by Tiffany FletcherA touching memoir on a fascinating topic: a daughter's journey dealing with her mother's multiple personality disorder.
For the KidsThe Fourth Nephite, by Jeffrey S. SavageHands down, my kids' favorite bedtime book for the year. Even my youngest, who has a hard time listening to chapter books, was all over it.
The "I'm More Culturally Literate" Title of the YearA book I should have read a long time ago: Dune, by Frank Herbert
Interesting, but not something I have to ever reread. I have to remind myself what a ground-breaking book it was when it first came out some 40-ish years ago.
One Fun TidbitIn 2010, I officially read more books than in any year since I've been tracking my reading (1997). Titles so far in 2010: 72. And I might finish a couple more by the end of the year if I hurry.
I'm guessing that the Whitneys played a big part in my reading volume, plus reading some books on the Kindle (I read faster on the Kindle, and now I have my own so I don't have to steal my husband's, woot!). Then I added a couple of books by listening to them on my iPod in the car and on the treadmill.
Next year, I hope for a slightly higher number, even if by one, just to say I broke my record again.
© 2010 Annette Lyon, all rights reserved