2010 seems to have flown by.....I read 121 books this year as of yesterday and while I was shooting for 200 life and kids would only let me read so much.....ahem...not to mention the burn-out I had in the summer. This year I had some awesome reading especially in YA literature, I read some great, not so great and absolutely brilliant books. So I'm going to share my top 10's in adult and YA novels, along with my favorite movies and other fun things that I came across in 2010 for the next few weeks and to celebrate I will have some fun Christmas presents to win!!
Tina's Top Ten YA Books of 2010
1. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins- After waiting FOREVER to find out where the heck Peeta went, where and who was running this secret district and to finally see if Katniss would get girly and fall in love, I was so excited to read this I almost beat my teenager when she tried to snag my copy and read it first. (Just kidding about the beating) Anyways it was my favorite this year in ya, the writing, the story and the closure to an unforgettable series.
3. Split by Swati Avasthi- I can say this book broke my heart. I was deeply moved by this story because of the reality I felt when connecting to the book and while very hard to read in spots, shined a light on the effects of teenage boys when domestic abuse is in a family....read review here.....
5. Matched by Ally Condie- I loved this novel not because it showed typical dystopian topics but because it was the first dystopian novel of 2010 that I read centering around the power of falling in love and that no matter who is in control of the government, officials cannot control our hearts.
6. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver- I loved this book because I hated the main character so much!! Oliver's talent to write is beyond words. I wish I could put her second book up here as well but that will be a 2011 best read.......Overall Before I Fall was defiantly an experience one that left me with a wow that was good feel.....
8. Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien - Another great dystopian novel focusing on the value of life. Wonderfully written and I think I loved that Caragh used a main character deeply flawed in her looks but beautiful on the inside which made her scars not even noticeable while I read it.
10. The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells-What looks to be a fluffy cover actually delivered a very emotional read. This coming of age story could be anyone's story. I think what I loved the most is how relatable Mia was, I felt in certain scenes, Howell had somehow dug into my own heart and wrote about it.
Honorable Mention -The Secret to Lying by Todd Mitchell- I didn't see Mitchell's book gain a lot of attention this year even after its debut, it was a "guy book" but defiantly relatable to a female that would be reading it. Most shocking for me was how messed up James really was and that his social awkwardness, low self esteem and coping mechanisms for a teen boy normally don't get addressed in literature (at least not the ya Ive been reading). Cutting, low self[image and eating disorders are usually associated with females and taking on these issues with a male lead I thought was gripping and eyeopening.
And while I read some spectacular books this year including Perfect Chemistry, 13 Reasons Why, Incarceron and The Splendor Falls I didn't add them into the 2010 list due to publishing dates...overall though my favorite non-2010 YA read this year was If I Stay by Gayle Foreman!!!
**photo source/cupcakes
Really cool list!
ReplyDeleteWow! So cool to make your list! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! I had not heard of Crossing and Birthmarked so thanks! In I Stay was one of the best - it broke my heart!
ReplyDelete-Linds, bibliophile brouhaha
I couldn't agree more! Narrating "Split" was a joy and being able to read so much good YA this year made it a banner year for me. Great list.
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm a new follower. Your blog is really cute! I'm looking forward to reading more of your posts/reviews.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend :)
Caroline @ Bon Bons and Reveries
I stopped by from the Book Hop. Lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Split is my number one favorite for the year and I will have to check out the Secret to Lying. By far my favorite books this year with male protoganists.
ReplyDeleteI've only read two of the books off your list - MATCHED and BIRTHMARKED - but I loved them both. I'll have to check out the others you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have found you via the Hop!
I heard a lot of positive response one The Crossing also
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I definitely agree with The Replacement, Before I Fall and The Iron King.
ReplyDeleteI still need to read Matched, Infinite Days, Birthmarked, and If I Stay! :)
Great list! The Replacement and The Iron King were among my favs too!
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