2010 Reading Wrap-Up
by Jenners • 12/16/2010 • Book Recommendations, Book Talk • 83 Comments
Here’s a few fun reading questions that I saw The Avid Reader’s Musings, who saw it at Literary Musings and The Perpetual Page-Turners. I thought it would be a great way to do a reading wrap-up post for the year. And, being my usual wordy self, I reserve the right to list more than one book!
1. Best books of 2010? The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak and Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon. Two very different books but both still stand out in my mind and enthralled me from beginning to end.
2. Worst book of 2010? The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor “I Can Write and Write and Bore You To Tears” Dostoevsky (click on the Brothers K readalong category if you want to hear my weeks of bitching about the book) and Whacked by Jules Asner. Again, two books as different as night and day, but I suffered through both of them and hated it.
3. Most Disappointing Book of 2010? Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and Fool by Christopher Moore (review not yet written). Even though I wasn’t a die-hard Hunger Games fan, I thought the final book was particularly weak and unsatisfying. And my beloved Christopher Moore let me down with Fool, which I found repetitive and unsatisfying (but still readable and 575% better than the books I listed in the previous question).
4. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010? Fingersmith by Sarah Waters (so full of twists and turns), Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenedies (after reading The Virgin Suicides and not thinking too highly of it, I was quite surprised and pleased with how darn good Middlesex was), and In the Woods by Tana French (the surprise here was how she chose to end the book … messy, messy, messy but satisfying in a real world way).
5. Book you recommended to people most in 2010? ROOM by Emma Donaghue was my late year recommendation and “that Guernsey” book (AKA The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society) by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows was my beginning of the year recommendation. (For the record, I still recommend both of them.)
6. Best series you discovered in 2010? That would be the only series I felt compelled to read one right after another—The Millennium series by Steig Larsson.
7. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010? Michael Chabon, Marisa de los Santos and Mary Roach
8. Most hilarious read of 2010? How I Became A Famous Novelist by Steve Hely (parody of modern publishing), How To Get Things Really Flat by Andrew Martin (a man’s view of housework) and This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper (family dysFUNction).
9. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2010? My choices are going to seem a little odd, but all three of these books were ones that kept me up way too late reading because I got so caught up in the story: Still Alice by Lisa Genova (a gripping look at Alzheimer’s from a patient’s point of view), The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris (what happens if you can’t stop walking?) and Columbine by Dave Cullen (even though I knew the basic story, I was gripped by Cullen’s novelistic approach).
10. Book you most anticipated in 2010? Bill Bryson’s At Home: A Short History of Private Life (loved it!) and Nelson DeMille’s The Lion (couldn’t wait to see my beloved John Corey again).
11. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2010?
12. Most memorable character in 2010? William Kamkwamba from The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind (if we could all be 25% more like William, the world would be a much better place) and Lisbeth Salander (best kick-ass heroine I’ve met in years).
13. Most beautifully written book in 2010? I swooned over Michael Chabon’s writing in The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, was transported back in time by Lisa See’s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, and highlighted passage after passage in Marcus Zusak’s The Book Thief.
14. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010? Because it dealt so candidly with issues so close to my heart and integral to my current life, I have to say Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman.
15. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2010 to finally read? Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa (click on the Musashi Readalong category for related posts). My dad wanted me to read this book for almost 20 years, but I was always so intimidated by it. So when I finally picked it up and read it this year, I felt chastened by its accessibility. I very much wish I’d read it while my dad was still around to discuss it.
So what about you? What were some of the best books you read this year?
I ended up doing this survey as well, snagged it from my husband (imnotpete.com), who snagged it from you, but I felt like the answer to every question was one of three books, as the questions are typically either how I judge a book to be “best book” or else don’t apply to me (i.e. I don’t read funny books or “beautifully written” books typically). I tried to change up the answers as much as I could (failed, mostly!). Anyway, if you’re interested, come read mine!
I have Book Thief as a “to be read” for this year as well as the Hunger Games series. I own Middlesex, but haven’t gotten to it yet, not sure why since I loved Virgin Suicides.
Great post! I read Fingersmith and Bad Mother this year too amd liked them both. And I definitely need to read The Book Thief.
Sorry for the super late reply! Wow, that’s a pretty good size list of books you read this year. I now have some new recommendations for new reads to line up. For me, I haven’t had any real jaw dropping amazing books that I read this year. There are a few that I really liked but I can’t say that they are amazing. I did love reading “Ella Minnow Pea” by Mark Dunn. It was one that I read recently that is also a really quick read. Very clever way of storytelling and completely reminds me of Animal Farm.
oh i love how you wrapped up your year! i kept forgetting to write down the books i finished reading (for shame for shame!) so going through your answers made me think about some of my own – what a neat and tidy wrap-up!
I’m getting my list ready. I hope to get Bad Mother soon because I feel as though I need it! I have not read any of the books you’ve listed. What have I been doing with my time? Oh wait, now I remember…
Haha! Good one. I think you’d find a lot of stuff of interest in Bad Mother. Can’t wait to see your year-end wrap-up.
I so loved Room! You have intrigued about a few, I think I bought Unnamed to give a go I’d have to get up and look and I’m too lazy at the moment – but I love that you give it to me straight, lol.
ROOM was great wasn’t it? Not one you forget quickly. I’d be curious what you think of the Unnamed (if you read it). I just adored it but then some others read it after reading my review and weren’t so gaga as I was (which makes me feel awful and responsible for their reading displeasure).
What a great recap! I finished reading Middlesex and I loved it! I still have to post the review, but it probably won’t get done until the New Year. Thanks for the recommendations throughout the year.
Wasn’t it great? It had so much going on and yet it felt smooth and put together! And I just finished Adrian Mole … the perfect reading for the holidays. It was like catching up with an old friend that you haven’t seen for … um… 20 years! Thanks!
Fun list — I haven’t even begun to think of my recap.
I know my last few weeks of December are going to be nuts so I jumped the gun. Can’t wait to see your list!
I love the list and the categories you chose!
Thanks. I really liked this format because you could work in a lots of titles.
Your “thrilling, unputdownable” choices don’t sound odd to me. Haha. Thanks so much again for your support of Columbine. You have been great in helping spread the word.
And for any students or teachers here (or if you know one), we just created a Columbine Student Guide and Columbine Teacher’s Guide.
I’m going to have to read a few more books on this list. Maybe I’ll take Mockingjay off my TBR.
Thanks for your visit. I’m happy to spread the word about Columbine … I thought it was a great read.
And if you read the other two Hunger Games books, I can’t imagine not reading that last one. Some people LOVED it. I, however, did not. ; )
Guess what? I finished Musashi last night! Woohoo! After how long the book was I was really surprised at how abrupt the ending was, but other than that I liked it. I’ll have to put a wrap-up post together at some point after my mini-vacation from the computer. Obviously I couldn’t keep from blog visiting this morning, but vacations are supposed to be fun and that sounded fun this morning.
Congrats! I was surprised at the ending too!! I was like “I’m running out of pages and he hasn’t fought Kojiro!!” Initially, I thought it was his whole life story (it was certainly big enough to be) but I guess the point was following him to until he became the true Master of the Sword. It was definitely a different book but I’m glad I read it, and thank you for coming along on the (very very) long journey with me.
I think it is OK to do what you WANT to do during your blog vacation … but whatever feels like work or obligation, don’t do! For what it is worth. : )
You are my hero. I can barely get through a magazine and have been reading the third book of the Twilight series for the last 14 months.
Well, I only have 1 kid … that helps! : )
You are an OLYMPIC reader!! I bow down to your superstar reading powers. You inspire me to read more. I look forward to checking out some of your recommendations.
Well, compared to some book bloggers, I’m really not!!!
Thanks for this post – I was unaware that Bill Bryson had released another book. I shall have to pick up a copy of At Home: A Short History of Private Life for when I return to university!
Glad to be of service. It is a great read.
Great list! I love Bill Bryson’s books and can’t wait to get a hold of At Home. I also plan on reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, which I have heard wonderful things about and just picked up at a second-hand bookstore.
I just adored At Home … I thought it was classic Byrson. And Kavalier & Clay was a revelation to me … I thought I’d hate it because of the comic book angle but Michael Chabon is a genius. He could write about anything and I think I’d get involved in it.
And now that I look again, I see you did the same so I guess I didn’t need to ask
Ooo, Musashi looks good.
I think I’m going to steal your categories for my own wrapup, if you don’t mind.
Saw that you saw that I borrowed the wrap-up post format myself so steal away. Would love to read your wrap-up … I love seeing everyone’s favorite reads for the year.
It’s up! http://imnotpete.com/2010/12/21/2010-reading-followup/
I really liked The Book Thief. It’s in my top 20 for the year (Yes, I have a top 20… I couldn’t narrow it down!)
Mockingjay was a middle-of-the-road book for me. I didn’t hate it and wasn’t as disappointed by it as some people (Like you!), but I didn’t absolutely love it. There were some things that needed to happen that did, and some things that happened that didn’t need to.
Ohhh…I can’t wait to read your Top 20 list. I love these types of posts.
Thanks for the recap!! I need to read more.
I’m a big believer that EVERYONE should read more … even me!
I loved The Book Thief, The Unnamed, and In the Woods. And of course Guernsey! Fingersmith has been on my radar for while. I have so many favorites this year. I really adored Waiting For Columbus, The Singer’s Gun, and A Visit to the Goon Squad. And so many more, I need to get my list going for my blog
I read “Waiting for Columbus” this year too, and it was very close to the top of the list … a good read. I’ll have to check out the other ones you mentioned.
LOVE this lady! I always feel like I can come away from here with good info *and* a good reading recommendation! This time I also got a what-not-to-read list which, let’s just face it, is just as valuable! And for the record, I have the wordy problem, too. I keep waiting for it to get better. I’ll let you know if it does!!
I think we are both afflicted with chronic wordiness … oh well, that is better than having nothing to say at all! (And if I can save just one person from reading The Brothers Karamazov, my job is done.)
I love how you did your round-up! Wonderful choices you have here. I adored The Book Thief as well, and considering I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Chabon to date, I can’t believe I still haven’t read Manhood for Amateurs.
I’m excited to read more Chabon. Manhood for Amateurs was the first book I read by him so I was just blown away by his ability to put words together. I suspect it is a departure from his usual fare but amazingly well done.
that was a great wrap up format. I think I’ll borrow it. I’ll agree with you on The Book Thief. It is an amazing book. You had a good year of reading.
Isn’t the format great? I like that it lets you work in all kinds of books for different reasons. I continue to be in awe of The Book Thief. So glad I finally read it.
I guess I need to pull Kavalier and Clay off the shelf next year!
Yes, pull it down and give it a whirl.
I don’t even know where to begin to comment on all that, except just to say YES! The Book Thief blew my mind. Belong to Me made me melt into a puddle and cry and fall in love. I have a crush in Lisbeth. And Mockingjay can just kiss my petutie.
What an efficient and all-inclusive comment!
A fun way to do a wrap-up of the year! I’ll agree with you on most of the books here that I’ve also read (Larsson, Roach, Book Thief, Guernsey….) I hope to fit the Hunger Games into my schedule this year. My husband and younger daughter both enjoyed them.
I’m getting a Kindle for Christmas and The Room is one of the first books I’ve “pre” downloaded for it. It arrived last night, but I’m fighting the urge to open it and peek before Christmas! Of course my rationale is that I need to make sure it arrived in working order. (yeah, yeah…)
Yay for your Christmas gift!!! And I couldn’t resist .. I would have it opened and be reading as soon as it arrived!
What a great list! I love this approach! And I have to agree with your choice of Mockingjay as the most disappointing. I was hopping mad by the end of it. And based on the title alone, How to Get Things Really Flat is going right on my list. As far as my best books for this year, I am going to have to say it’s a tie between The Third Policeman (review coming soon!) and Room. Thanks for this great post. It was a lot of fun to read!
I love wrap-up posts. And now you have me anxious to see your review of The Third Policeman!
So glad you took this quiz! I loved The Book Thief too and reread it this year. Room was amazing and I’m in the middle of Columbine right now. I can’t put it down.
It’s interesting that you were disappointed by Fool, because I read it on your recommendation of Moore and thought it was hilarious. That makes me want to read his other books so much more! Wonderful answers, you’ve just made me add a few more books to my TBR, including In The Woods.
Isn’t it crazy how you know the basics of Columbine but feel a sense of suspense while reading?
And I actually thought Fool was one of Moore’s weaker books … or just hit me at a bad time. It felt a bit repetitive to me. So I was disappointed in it but it doesn’t mean I hated it. (And ssshhhh … don’t tell, I thought was better than King Lear.)
I don’t know how you find/make time to read so much, but I am IMPRESSED. I’m also guessing you don’t watch much TV! : ) Thanks for all your posts during the year. Have a great Christmas!
You got it … I choose reading over TV any day.
I absolutely loved The Book Thief! Glad you did, too.
I totally agree about The Brothers Karamazov. I suffered through 60 pages of torture before realizing I was doing more sleeping than reading and tossed it aside.
I was just blown away by The Book Thief. I don’t often reread books but I think I’ll reread that one at some point.
And you were smart about Brothers K … if I hadn’t signed up for a readalong, I would have quit!
I have not read either of your favs for the year. I best fix that!
You best … or don’t come back here no more! (TOTALLY kidding .. you know that, right?)
I have a top ten list I’m posting also, and your list has FOUR of them the same!
Woo hoo! Hooray for crossover. Can’t wait to see your list. I love these posts!
Hm, I might borrow some of these questions when I do my “best of” lists!!
Wasn’t it a neat format? It lets you mention a lot of books for different reasons.
What a great wrap up post. I loved Middlesex. I still need to think about this for another week or so.
I know I’m not going to have time to read much more so I jumped the gun and did my post early. Can’t wait to read yours.
What a great post. To comment on some of the books you mention.
I agree with all you had to say about The Book Thief. Amazing and beautifully written.
Middlesex is on my tbr pile – I kept picking it up and putting it down, now I feel inspired to read it.
Room is on my wish list, I’m hoping Father Christmas may leave it.
I have to disagree with you on The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Well written but not my cup of tea, I didn’t like the format and really struggled with this one.
My favourite book this year? Balthazar Jones And The Tower Of London Zoo (I think it has a different name in the US). I know you mentioned wanting to read this – if you haven’t already done so you must.
You’re right … the Balthazar Jones book has a different (shorter) title in the US. It is on my wish list for 2011.
Great list! I think many of the same books would have made it into the categories in various years. I really need to read Still Alice, Columbine and something by Lisa See.You are really making me want to read Musashi too
I really enjoyed Musashi … although it was a long haul and very different from my usual books.
Here’s to a great reading year in 2011!
Can’t wait to read some of the books you recommend… on my new KIndle! I do love Douglas Coupland and can recommend JPod and A Generation… Have just started his latest so can’t say anything about that yet.
You MUST read The Help by Kathryn Stockett! It’s fabulous.
YAY … you got a Kindle!!! You are going to LOVE it!!!
I have The Help already … I don’t know why I keep putting it off. Everyone just LOVES it. (Perhaps I’m afraid it is overhyped?) And I have Generation A on my wish list.
Plenty of reviews to keep an I on what’s, or who’s coming up next, and exactly what of, or if merit they might attain from your keen eye to lend a pry so as to digest to us your view on who’s who and what’s what in literature hot and not!
Thank you. Take wonderful and gentle care. Have a lovely Christmas and a happy New Year. Seasons greetingss to your good-self and your Christianly followers.
Love love, Andrew. Bye.
I’m not ready to wrap up yet. But love your format. I’m not sure I remember the all though.
Having a list of everything you read for the year is quite helpful in doing lists like this!
I know you asked for the best, but I can’t think past the book that affected me very negatively – The Time Traveler’s Wife. WTH? That’s all I have to say.
I’m sure I read some good books, but I’ve not recovered enough from that one to remember them yet.
Oh dear. The Time Traveler’s Wife is one of my all-time favorite books!!!!
We have very similar reading tastes! Great minds, right..
I, too, liked In the Woods, though I thought the ending was a little unsatisfying. I am interested to hear what you think of The Likeness — I really liked that one. I also agree with you that Salander is one of the best, most ass-kicking female protagonists to come along in a while. Even though I didn’t like book 2 and 3 in the Millennium series as much as the first installment, I loved seeing Salander get the best of everyone in the end.
In the YA category, I really liked Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. I also thoroughly enjoyed Scott Turrow’s Innocent.
As soon as I’m done my current book, I’m going to read “The Likeness.” I’ve been saving it as a holiday treat for myself.
Thanks for the recommendations … since we’re so similar in our tastes, they carry more weight! : )
Wow- you have such an impressive reading list! I remember being embarrassed about how much I read in high school and lying about it when asked- isn’t it freeing to be an adult and not be a dork for reading?
Sorry, random.
Anyway, I loved Lisbeth as well- those books were wonderful! I liked the first hunger games, meh on the second, and boo on the third.
Still Alice has to be my favorite of the year. Captivating!
Being free to be a reader is one of the great benefits of being an adult!
And we are quite aligned in our reading tastes! YAY!
Ohhh, Book Thief, you are one of my very favorites! I need to reread it. I realize Brothers Karamazov was terrible for the readers, but it was rather entertaining for the readers’ blog readers to read the check-in posts
I was in the minority and thought Mockingjay was just what it needed to be, but there were so many reviews up by the time I could get a copy that I didn’t bother reviewing it! I cannot wait to read Middlesex and Room.
A lovely 2010 wrap-up! I’m still tweaking my answers for this…poll?…and will probably post them early next week.
It was love at first read for me and The Book Thief. And I’m glad at least one good thing came out of the Brothers K. Still not worth it though! HAHA!
And Mockingjay was definitely love it or hate it I think.
Can’t wait to see your answers … I love year-end wrap-up posts.
I”m not through reading for 2010! This was a fun way to recap your year.
Well, I’m wrapping things up … if I have a “stealth” amazing book, I’ll be sure to blog about it. (This whole working/holiday thing is cutting into my reading time … I don’t like it!)