I didn't really have a top 5 list of books this year. I read a couple of winners and a lot of mediocre books, but here are some of the highlights.
MY 2010 book list was bookended by two of the best books I have ever read, New York: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd and Gone With The Wind. Both were very very long, which I love, and historically interesting. I recommend the first to anyone who knows and loves NYC and the second to anyone anywhere.
In the middle of the year, I was unfortunately mesmerized by the Twilight Saga, which was not great writing, but so addicting and fun.
Best new author of the year - Kate Morton, who has written 3 books which seem to all have the same story, but are entertaining nonetheless.
A Year in Provence was great and really reminded me of my time in Milan, living in a different culture.
There were some other books that stood out to me, but I didn't love them all the way through - American Wife, The Nobodies Album, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
I think 2011 is off to a good reading start already, so here's hoping it continues that way. Happy New Year everyone!
3 comments:
Yea for good books! I have started Tolstoy's Anna Karenina , my oh my - scandal all over the place!
I haven't read any of the books you mentioned! My top 5 books this year include The Ugly American, Alias Grace, As For Me and My House, Unaccustomed Earth and What is the What. ;)
Kate Morton - I have got to check her out. I love that you are thinking through your best books of 2010, rather than just hurtling headlong into the new year without a pause, as I tend to so. So inspired by your example (and your biscotti)...
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks has to be one of the best I read this year. Typically, I pick up nonfiction but end up not finishing it. This one was a page turner and provided lots of food for thought.
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann was a gorgeous novel, set in NYC. (Maggie is reading it now; we'll see what she thinks.)
Gilead, buy Marilyn Robinson, several years old now, was one of the most beautiful books I've ever read, and I look forward to enough time passing that I can read it again.
Lastly, barely counts as this year, but I got a Kindle for Christmas from Santa Kevan, and am working my way through Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen. It is quite compelling.
Here's to another year of great reading, and hopefully some in-person discussions about it!
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