Favorite & Most Disappointing Reads of 2010

[Melodie]

With the end of the year upon us, I thought it might be fun for us to post our favorite reads of this past year and also the ones we found most disappointing! We do this on another group that I've been part of for years now, and it's a lot of fun to see everyone's lists! You can find some good things you hadn't thought of before and also maybe skip some not-so-good ones!

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ, Cozy Mysteries Group Owner]

Nice idea Melodie.

[❂ Murder by Death]

I think my favorite find this year would be (off the top of my head) Truly, Madly by Heather Webber. There are probably others but that's the first one that comes to mind when I think of the last year of reading.

[Heidi]

Good idea Melodie are we talking cozies only?

[Kim]

My books were pretty good this year, 3 stars or above, except for one: Smash Cut, which was a 2-star. For all of the hype, it didn't appeal much to me.

my 2010s

[Melodie]

Heidi I wrote: "Good idea Melodie are we talking cozies only?"

No. We never limit it on the other board, and most of us read other things, too.

[Michelle]

I have to say the Twilight series is by far, the most over hyped series I've ever read.
I still need to read the final book, but I keep scratching my head as to why these books are incredibly popular; I know they are meant for younger readers, but so was happy potter and those are AMAZING.

[Emma]

My favorite non-cozy this year was The Distant Hours by Kate Morton. I didn't want this tome to end!
And my favorite cozy (I didn't get to read as many as I would have liked) would have to be Death by Darjeeling. I really haven't been reading that many cozies lately and am disappointed at all the cozies sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. Hopefully this holiday break will find me reading more cozies!
As for most disappointing, I will have to ponder that one. I've read some great books this year!

[Katherine]

I know that The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, The Girl who Played with Fire, Water for Elephants, and the Pilot's Wife were all terrific.And probably the most memorable of the many books I read in 2010. I really like The Woman in White, too.

I liked The Lost Symbol but didn't think it was as wonderful as its hype.

I LOVED Blessed be Jazz.

Eye of the Red Tsar --a goodreads giveaway --was very good. I gave 5 stars to another giveaway--Reckless.The Cabal, another giveaway was excellent.Another goodreads giveaway--Crossing the Heart of Africa was really interesting. Had to slog through Twain's Feast, yet another giveaway. I liked the book, it was just tough going!

Wasn't crazy about The Madness of Mary Lincoln, though A Beautiful Blue Death was an introduction to a new series I'm looking forward to reading.

Grisham's Ford County was okay. Thought The Book Club was very good.

Didn't like McCullough's Mornings on Horseback--but I think it was the subject rather than the book that I didn't like, as I love Mccullough--he is my favorite author, I think.

Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts was a delight! So nice to hear about the women in the lives of those famous men.

As for Cozies--Victoria Thompson is my absolute favorite and I've read all her turn of the century mysteries. I've continued with China Bayles also,whom I really like. Robin Paige's Victorian and Edwardians are favorites but I've tired of Aurora Teagarden and have taken a break from her.

Loved the 4th and 5th in the Pink Carnation series by Willig but was disappointed in the Charleston Trilogy by Sheryll Woods. I know there are others I've read but as they don't come to mind, they probably were just okay! LOL

[Melodie]

Michelle wrote: "I have to say the Twilight series is by far, the most over hyped series I've ever read.
I still need to read the final book, but I keep scratching my head as to why these books are incredibly popu..."

I really liked the Twilight books myself, but know others that don't! (Heidi????) I had thought that the biggest "craziness" was with teenagers, but found that I was severely mistaken! There are a lot of moms & grandmas who are every bit as goofy about the whole thing as the kids! Listening to Taylor Lautner tell a story about a mom wanting him to sign her underwear while her terribly embarrassed teenage daughter looked on just floored me!

[Melodie]

Well, here are my best reads of the year that are other than cozies. They got 5 stars and are listed in the order I read them.:
Kitty's House of Horrors
Beautiful Creatures
The Dark Divine
Shiver
Hourglass
Silver Borne
Changes
Kitty Goes to War
Body Work
Play Dead
A Visitor's Guide to Mystic Falls: Your Favorite Authors on The Vampire Diaries
Ghost Town
Angel Interrupted
Late, Late at Night
Moonlight Mile
The Hanging Tree

Out of all these, the 3 very best, meaning they stuck with me the longest, were , and .

[Melodie]

Here are my top rated cozies. They all got 5 stars.
The Seventh Witch
If Books Could Kill
The Diva Paints the Town
Sprinkle with Murder
Pretty in Ink
Murder on the Eightfold Path
Tressed to Kill
Scoop to Kill
Tomb with a View
Something Borrowed, Something Bleu

[Melodie]

Michelle wrote: "I have to say the Twilight series is by far, the most over hyped series I've ever read.
I still need to read the final book, but I keep scratching my head as to why these books are incredibly popu..."

One book that is for sure on my most disappointing list is . After having people tell me for a couple of years now that I need to read this book I finally did. I liked it better than I thought I would since it took me so long to get through, but I sure don't understand the hype!

[Kelley]

I haven't thought of my favorite book of 2010 as of yet, but my biggest disappointment was easy for me to pick. And it's The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. Overall this book was a huge disappointment to me. The main character, Flavia, was completely unlikable and way too precocious. I really didn't care about anyone in the book as a matter of fact. I had no sympathy or good feelings about any of the main characters. I just wanted the book to end and I finished it, but I will not revisit this author. Now, I just have to go find my favorite book of 2010 :)

[Heidi]

Michelle wrote: "I have to say the Twilight series is by far, the most over hyped series I've ever read.
I still need to read the final book, but I keep scratching my head as to why these books are incredibly popu..."

Oh you don't even want to get me started on this one. I don't want Melodie mad at me :)

[Heidi]

My favorite books this year were and . Most disappointing (sorry Melodie!)

[❂ Murder by Death]

I'd have to say my most disappointing reads of the year were Closet Confidential and Calamity Jayne. I like the rest of the series before Closet Confidential, but I couldn't even get through the first couple of chapters of this one - the characters best friend kept ragging her so badly it turned me off. And Calamity Jayne, well, I was struggling a bit with her lack of self-esteem, but the author lost me completely once she put the cat in jeopardy. I put the book down and have no intention of picking it back up.

[Katherine]

Jennifer-in-oz wrote: "I'd have to say my most disappointing reads of the year were Closet Confidential and Calamity Jayne. I like the rest of the series before Closet Confidential, but I co..."

Yes, that's how I feel about Time Traveler's Wife--cannot understand the hype--just cannot get into it and not going to make the effort. That is my big disappointment book of the year.

[Sandra J]

I really enjoyed Tomb with a View and the audio versions of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag. I also really enjoyed Warrior, Scoundrel, and The Battle Sylph.

[Sue]

My biggest disappointment - Wicked Prey - constant use of the "f" word is a major turn-off for me.

My best reads - Nora Roberts' bride quartet and getting into the China Bayles series. I also really enjoyed City of Bones and The Hourglass Door.

[Elizabeth]

I was disappointed in the Twilight series. Just couldn't get into it.

The book that has stayed with me all year is The Help.

[Melodie]

Sue T wrote: "My biggest disappointment - Wicked Prey - constant use of the "f" word is a major turn-off for me.

My best reads - Nora Roberts' bride quartet and getting into the China Bayles ser..."

I am WAY behind on the Prey series, but always really liked them. I have the Bride Quartet books, but haven't read any of them yet. They were a gift and not usually my kind of read.

[Caroline]

Some of my favorite reads in 2010 - the Southern Sisters series by Anne George, (I love all the Ceepak books! Go Chris!) and . I'm so glad that Mark decided to come out with another Buryin' Barry book - fantastic series! Also wonderful - Vicki Lane's Elizabeth Goodweather books. Currently reading . I'll have to think about the most disappointing books.

[Paula]

Caroline wrote: "Some of my favorite reads in 2010 - the Southern Sisters series by Anne George, (I love all the Ceepak books! Go Chris!) and [bookcover:F...

I also love the southern sisters! They are so funny. I hate that there won't be more of them though. : (

[Paula]

Caroline wrote: "Some of my favorite reads in 2010 - the Southern Sisters series by Anne George, (I love all the Ceepak books! Go Chris!) and [bookcover:F...

I also love the southern sisters! They are so funny. I hate that there won't be more of them though. : (

[Jaimie]

Heidi got me started on cozies this year and my faves were:

[Heidi]

Jennifer-in-oz wrote: "I'd have to say my most disappointing reads of the year were Closet Confidential and Calamity Jayne. I like the rest of the series before Closet Confidential, but I co..."

Oh I am so sad you were disappointed by Calamity! I am a HUGE animal lover and have two cats who are more like my kids, so I must have not had the same reaction as you did to the book -- or maybe I missed that part because I really can't even remember it. Anyway, just wanted to say I was sorry since I told you I liked the series.

[Heidi]

Jaimie wrote: "Heidi got me started on cozies this year and my faves were: "

Hey...fancy meeting you here! Glad you are enjoying all your new cozies :)

[Jaimie]

Oh very much so, thanks for all the recomendations!

[Kaye]

Two of my favorites (non cozies) for this year are Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and How to Be an American Housewife. Both were just delightful reads with great characters. This year I discovered Louise Penny and read three of her books - all excellent mysteries with complex characters and a wonderful sense of place( Quebec). For cozies this year I enjoyed books by Karen MacInerney, Ellery Adams, Jenn McKinlay Laura Childs and as always Carolyn Hart. Most disappointing read was Revenge Served Cold because it was just so implausible and so badly written. Another book that was disappointing to me was Lost in a Good Book mainly because I didn't realize it was an alternate reality type book and I just don't enjoy that genre.

[Caroline]

Ah, a disappointing book was . I like Deb Bakers other series and was looking forward to a new series under the Hannah Reed name. But I just couldn't deal with the character's relationship with her mother and a couple other things I won't go into (so as to avoid spoiling it for anyone who may want to read). I actually gave away the book without finishing it and was sorry that I didn't enjoy it.

[❂ Murder by Death]

Heidi - I've hung on to Calamity Jayne, with the thought in the back of my head that I might try to finish it. But the hanging cat really put me off, even if he ended up being ok. I'll let you know if I get back to it. :)

[Melodie]

Caroline wrote: "Ah, a disappointing book was . I like Deb Bakers other series and was looking forward to a new series under the Hannah Reed name. But I just couldn't deal with the cha..."

I didn't like it either, Caroline, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger!

[Shay]

Caroline wrote: "Ah, a disappointing book was . I like Deb Bakers other series and was looking forward to a new series under the Hannah Reed name. But I just couldn't deal with the cha..."

I only finished this book because I needed to for a reading challenge. I think having to finish it made me hate it even more than if I had quit reading it. Unless everyone raves about a future book in this series, I won't read another one.

[Kate]

Some of my favorites this year were , , , , , and .



Some disappointments were (I realllllly couldn't stand this book), , and .

[Vicky]

Elizabeth wrote: "I was disappointed in the Twilight series. Just couldn't get into it.

The book that has stayed with me all year is The Help."

Amen to this one! I was pleasantly surprised by The Olympians series by Rick Riordan and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I discovered the Spellman Series (have the 4th one to read) and many cozy series I found on this site, Thanks to all of you.

[Caroline]

You know, Melodie - You raised an interesting question in my mind. Deb Baker has two series out already and a publisher decides to do the Queen Bee series, so they must have liked it. Now there seems to be feedback that a lot of folks don't like the new series or the way the character and her mother interact or whatever. How can you fix this? Just say, oh well, those who don't like it won't buy it. Or try to change the relationship in a future book in the series? What if you've alredy "turned folks off" to that series? I wonder if there's any way to fix it? Usually folks who didn't like the first book in a new series won't buy the second book in the series. I know I read and was kind of confused by it. Decided to try the second one and couldn't even get through it halfway. I definitely won't try any more in this series.

[Beth]

A little over half of what I read is crime fiction. My top 5 reads in 2010 were:

To Say Nothing of the Dog, Connie Willis
Still Life, Louise Penny
Blood Hollow, William Kent Krueger
The Help, Kathryn Stockett
The Scent of Rain and Lightning, Nancy Pickard

[Melodie]

I definitely have one more to add to my list of best reads for 2010: ! This is totally not my usual type of read, but this was an excellent book!

[Katrina]

Favorite reads: The Hunger Game series, The Olympian series and the first book in the Heroes of Olympus series ( The Lost Hero) (so in short Rick Riordan is probably my favorite author of 2010).

Disappointments: oh garsh, I read The Call of the Wild for the first time and it was pretty boring, I also felt the same about A Christmas Carol. Other than that can't really think of much else that I found disappointing.

[Heidi]

Yay for the Hunger Games!

[Jolie]

My favourite of the year:

Worst book I read this year:

[Melodie]

Heidi I wrote: "Yay for the Hunger Games!"

I know.......it pains me to say it....but, you were right!! ;-)

[Susie]

Jolie wrote: "My favourite of the year:

Worst book I read this year: "

Thank you Jolie! I'm so happy to see I'm not the only one who didn't enjoy The Friday Night Knitting Club. In fact, I couldn't even finish it ;(

[Priscilla]

My favourites this year were:


The most disappointing book was Witch and Wizard,I didnt finish reading it! and the others were:

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Caroline wrote: "Ah, a disappointing book was Buzz Off. I like Deb Baker's other series and was looking forward to a new series under the Hannah Reed name. But I just couldn't deal with the character's relationship with her mother and a couple other things I won't go into (so as to avoid spoiling it for anyone who may want to read)."

I actually liked this book, but then - I have never read any of her other series, and the mother/daughter relationship was realistic to me, as there are people who suffer similarly in real life. The one thing I really disliked about the book was the sister's penchant for text-talk. Drives me up the wall when I see it on message boards, I certainly don't want to see it in my books.

[Katrina]

Susie in KS wrote: "Jolie wrote: "My favourite of the year:

Worst book I read this year: "

Thank you Jolie! I'm so happy ..."
Friday Night Knitting Club had the potential to be good...but they played the cheasy C card...and I was like...NOPE! I would like to finish it, but come on, not that tired old road.

"Knit in Comfort" is similar but much better and less hokey.

[Salena]

and really the whole Gabriel Allon series has been by far my favorite non-cozy read(s) of the year!

My fave cozies have been which I would have never read if it hadn't been for Donald Blain being a featured author! I also really enjoyed ; and the other Coffeehouse Series books I have read.

[Nicola]

Cat of the Century by Rita Mae Brown was the most disappointing book. This series was the one what got me into cozy books, and to see it go downhill and become this odd soap box for her own political gains was really sad. How to Wash a Cat, also sucked. Great title, bad plot.

On the other hand the best books
I really enjoyed Arsenic and Old Paint by Hailey Lind, The Lies that Bind by Kate Carlisle, A Witch in Time by Madelyn Alt, Ghouls Gone Wild and A Glimpse of Evil by Victoria Laurie, the Ophelia and Abby series by Shirley Damsgaard and the Pepper Marin series by Casey Daniels.. so the good outweighed the bad ;)

[Hmr28]

My favorite new to me find was Deanna Raybourn's Lady Grey series. I also loved Maggie Barberi's Alison Bergeron series and Merline Lovelace's Samanta Spade mysteries.