Mid-Year Review, Part I: Best Books Read So Far
by Jenners • 07/05/2010 • Book Recommendations • 30 Comments
The year is half over(!!!), and I’ve been seeing a few midyear review posts around so I thought I’d do one too. Because I’m so wordy, I decided to break it into two posts.
Best Books I’ve Read So Far This Year
At the halfway point of the year and with 69 books under my belt, I thought it would be fun to list my Top 10 Reads of 2010 So Far. It’ll be interesting to see how many of these will make my final list for the year. I’m sure of at least 5 of them! By the way, these are not listed in any particular order.
- Columbine by Dave Cullen – I haven’t written my review yet, but this non-fiction book about the Columbine school shootings was so gripping and haunting that I still find myself thinking about it weeks afterwards.
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – I could kick myself for not reading this book sooner. (And yet another one I still need to write my review for). Narrated by Death, this WWII novel set in Germany and focusing on a young German girl was immensely moving, original and involving.
- Fingersmith by Sarah Waters – I just love a good twist in a book, and this book had them in spades! Plus any Victorian era novel that doesn’t have me fleeing in horror has got to be darn good!
- The Millennium Trilogy by Steig Larsson – I started the series on a lark to see what all the fuss was about and devoured them all in just a few months. I’m just glad I waited long enough so that all three were available for me to read one after another. Nothing like finding a gripping series and having to wait for the next book to come out.
- Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon – This book of essays had me enthralled from the first page, and it made me realize how a talented writer can use the English language brilliantly while writing about the most mundane and ordinary of things.
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows – I was surprised how enjoyable and fun this book was to read. It was the first epistolary novel I’ve ever read, and I loved it.
- Still Alice by Lisa Genova – A novel about Alzheimer’s from the patient’s point of view, this book will break your heart while giving you a haunting look at this horrible disease from the inside out. It reduced me to a puddle of tears.
- How I Became A Famous Novelist by Steve Hely – I thought this book–a satire/parody of popular fiction and publishing–was a hoot. Although a bit uneven (the last part drags a bit), I was laughing to myself throughout and know I’ll be going back to revisit it when I need a pick-me-up.
- How To Get Things Really Flat by Andrew Martin – Another comedic book! This one was about housekeeping by a man for men. Filled with humor as well as practical cleaning advice, it makes me wish cleaning toilets was as fun as this book.
- The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley – A cozy mystery with one of the most intriguing detectives I’ve ever met–11-year-old Flavia De Luce. Flavia is the star attraction in these books. I bet you’ve never met anyone as precocious, charming and brilliant as her. A truly delightful read.
My Top 10 Reads So Far This Year
I've read 6 of your top 10 and they're all great books. I read The Book Thief a few years ago and just re-read it this month. It's one of my absolute favorites. Even though I knew what was coming I was still in tears by the end of the book… again.
I need to finish up the Millennium trilogy and read Still Alice. You've read some great books so far this year.
There are some great books on this list…thanks for sharing them. I loved The book thief and Guernsey!
Sadly, I haven't read any of these. But I diud just put MAnhood on hold at the library and it was because I read your review
I LOVED The Book Thief, Guernsey, and Sweetness. All great reads!
I've read only two of the books you mention: "the Book Thief" and Guernsey, and loved both, too! I'd like to read Columbine soon, since I currently live in Colorado.
You've given me some good ones to put on my list to read and we share two in common that I would also put on my list of best books read. I am still haunted by Columbine but in a good way and also couldn't believe I didn't read The Book Thief sooner.
I'm glad to see Guernsey and The Book Thief made your list. I loved them both!
–Anna
I'm always amazed at how similar our tastes are!!! So many of the books you list here would also make my "best of" list. And I'm so glad you listed Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, since I just bought that one last week.
fantastic top 10 list!
i've seen the columbine book but just haven't picked it up yet…glad to know it is worthy of those who suffered so much loss that day;
and sweetness at the bottom of the pie i've heard of but did not know about….sounds so wonderful!
You still have not written your review for Columbine? Ooh – come on…. I want to read your thoughts.
I would put Columbine on as one of my top reads so far this tear as well. I read Book Thief last year and would love to read Fingersmith as this is one that I have heard good things about all over.
You read some great books!!
Guess what? You won a book yesterday at my giveaway. Please email my shipping info…congrats lucky.
Wow, impressive list. I've only read a few of those, but I'll have to put the sweetness at the bottom of the pie on my TBR list.
Thanks for this great list. I have only read a few of them, and now have some more to add to my "to reads." Have you read Elizabeth Buchan? I love her writing….molly
I loved The Book Thief and would recommend Zusak's I Am The Messenger too.
69 books read is great! I need to read The Book Thief.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Yay…I've actually read four of these! (Guernsey, Book Thief, Millenium and Sweetness). I can't remember if you've reviewed the second Alan Bradley book. I plan to read it at some point….
Yay for Fingersmith and Guernsey! I just loved both of those books so very much. How to Get Things Really Flat sounds hilarious. I may have to get it for the hubby for his birthday….
I can't wait to read Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie! I'm saving it and the sequel for RIP season though.
Oddly, I only had a top 3 at the midyear point.
I have read – and agree with – 5 out of the 10 and there are three others that are tops on my TBR pile. NICE selection
I certainly agree with you on GLPPPS and The Book Thief – two very different but outstanding reads.
I love seeing people's favorite lists because everyone's is so different. You have a few on here that I just couldn't get through (Potato and Book Thief). However, I have Columbine on my TBR shelf and am really looking forward to it!
I'm sure I'll love Still Alice – I really need to get hold of a copy soon. The Book Thief and Fingersmith are old favourites – great list
I absolutely loved The Book Thief; it's one of those that everyone should read. Columbine was amazing. I also enjoyed the Guernsey book. Funny that two of your favorites had "pie" in the title
One of my favorites – even at the end of the year, I'm sure – will be Cutting for Stone, which I'm still reading, but it's outstanding.
Such a respectible list! I was so blown away with Fingersmith, it might just find itself on my best ever. Now, the thing with The Book Thief. I have it on my shelves, and am so focused on getting through my challenges that I've ignored it. YOu are not the first person to mention that it was mind-blowing. Hmmmm…
gee, maybe I need to read The Book Thief…
agree with you totally on the ones O have read Sweetness, Guernsey, the three Millennium.
I also have to read Fingersmith..everyone seems to love it. In fact I need to check out all the ones on there I have not read.
How amazing was the book thief. It took me ages to write my review of that book because I wasn't sure that I could do it justice. I have heard of a lot of those other books as well and wil try and read them when i get a chance
I read The Book Thief last year and loved it too! What a great list. There are a few on here that I'm definitely going to pick up.
The Book Thief sounds incredible…I'm wondering why I haven't heard of it…just put it on my Amazon wishlist
I read The Book Thief a while ago, before I started blogging, and it became one of my favourite books of all time – absolutely wonderful, I recommend that everyone reads it.