Best book of 2010? Tough decision but I'm going to say The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Both books were selections by my book club!
Worst book of 2010? I definitely started a few books (True Confections by Katharine Weber and You Are Not a Gadget by Jason Lanier) and didn't finish them. I picked up an ARC copy of Adam & Eve by Sena Jeter Naslund at an ALA conference and really did not enjoy the book at all.
Most Disappointing Book of 2010? My answer might be a little controversial but I'm going with The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. This book was a book club selection and I had high hopes for it because of the buzz with the series of books. But this book definitely left me wondering why everyone was raving about it.
Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010? I'm going to go with a recent read and pick A Reliable Wife by Richard Goolrick. I purchased this book at Politics & Prose (first visit) based on buzz on Twitter and just reading the back of the book.
Book you recommended to people most in 2010? I definitely recommended my top books of 2010 when asked The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and The Help by Kathryn Stockett.
Best series you discovered in 2010? I'm going to go with some historical fiction to answer this question. I read Barbara Kyle's The King's Daughter & The Queen's Captive as well as Philippa Gregory's new series of books The Red Queen & The White Queen.
Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010? Sophie Littlefield, Rebecca Skloot, Kathryn Stockett, Daphne Kalotay
Most hilarious read of 2010? I'm going to say Tinsel by Hank Stuever. I was expecting a book about Christmas celebrations in Texas to have so much humor, but it did. Definitely stopped to read multiple passages out loud to my fiance.
Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2010? Going with a historical fiction book for this question - The Postmistress by Sarah Blake. It wasn't so much thrilling as I wanted to know how the characters turned out and survived the war and the conditions they were exposed to. Definitely could not put the book down.
Book you most anticipated in 2010? I really hadn't put a specific book on my TBR pile that was coming out in 2010. Before this year I didn't have certain books that I had to read by a certain time (i.e. book club). I'm more an organic reader - whatever catches my attention or I hear about.
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2010? Hands down - Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay
Most memorable character in 2010? I'm not a character driven reader - meaning I don't have to relate to the character to enjoy the book. Frankie Bard from The Postmistress is one memorable character for me. I'm not sure if it was because she was a radio journalist (I work for a national radio network) or if it was her courage during the war that makes her memorable for me.
Most beautifully written book in 2010? I read a lot of well written books this year and it's hard to choose one over the other. A lot of the books mentioned already as favorites fit into this category as well.
Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010? A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini because I was finally able to understand the war in Afghanistan and how women are treated there.
Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2010 to finally read? Julie & Julia - a more recent book but one that captured folks attention way before me. I liked the book better than the movie.
Book Blogging in 2010 (optional)
New favorite book blog you discovered in 2010? I found a lot of new book blogs this year, but a few blogs that stand out for me are Devourer of Books and Medieval Bookworm. Check out my blogroll for other favorites!
Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)? Dewey's Read-A-Thon in the fall was the best event I participated in, especially since I found a lot of new book bloggers to follow. I also started to participate in #fridayreads meme on Twitter which has been a fun way to see what others are reading on a weekly basis.
Best moment of book blogging in 2010? Having authors read your review and thank you for reading their book. I've had a few authors reach out to me via my blog or Goodreads account. It's nice to have that interaction with them.
Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.) I have to say Politics and Prose bookstore which is literally five blocks from my apartment, but I just went there for the first time a few months ago. I hope to attend some author events and buy books there more in 2011.
I loved The Help too! The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is on my wishlist. I am sorry to see that The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo disappointed you. I own it but haven't read it yet.
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Misha
I really need to read both The Help and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I've heard fantastic things about both!
ReplyDeleteI was really disappointed with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and after I talked to friends who finished it (I gave up 80 pages in), I was glad I didn't. I would rather not read about that kind of violence. Violence aside, what was all the hype about? Because I just didn't get it. I really need to pick up The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks because I haven't come across a bad review. I visited Busboys and Poets, which I think is similar to Politics and Prose, while visiting DC this summer and loved the atmosphere. I'm jealous you have so many wonderful independent book stores at your disposal! :)
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