I got to thinking today about how much I read. Some books take me a while to work my way through and others I finish in one reading. Either way, I go through a lot of books. In the past, I have tried to keep track of what I read, but I have never been very good at doing that. So, really this post is only for my benefit.
In this post I am going to list all the books I have read since the start of 2010. Each book I read will be added to the list. Then, at the end of the the year I can have a little party (with myself, of course) and look back on all the books I read. Fun times.
So…
Books read in 2010
+Reread
1. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (January)
I really enjoyed this one. The story is compelling and the writing is crisp. I do have to admit though: I didn’t like this book as much as I thought I would, and it didn’t grab me like it did a lot of my friends. Maybe my expectations were too high.
2. After by Amy Efaw (January)
The whole time I was reading this, I couldn’t decide whether I liked it or not. I still don’t know. But, I do know that I find myself thinking about it quite regularly, so I know it had quite a bit of impact. This probably is not one I will reread, but I am glad I read it once. Also, it has a great cover.
3. Duma Key by Stephen King (February)
Except for On Writing, which I devoured and will read again and again, I have never read much of Uncle Stevie’s stuff. I read Pet Sematary (and, um, the movie still freaks me out) and Thinner when I was in middle school, and a ton of his short stories towards the end of elementary school and into middle school, but that is the extent of my Stephen King reading. Mom gave me this one for Christmas because it is one of her favorites. And, holy canole!!! this book is good. I love it!
4. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (February)
I wanted to read this one when it first came out, but didn’t. The stack of books at home was big enough without adding another. Now it already has two sequels (and a third on the way). I finally picked it up because the YA bookclub in town is reading it for their February book. Why did I wait so long?! Wicked Lovely pulled me in immediately and I didn’t want to put it down ever. I love, love, loved this book and will have to devour the sequels soon. Also, I usually don’t like piercing on guys, but Seth is hot.
5. The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg (February)
A book about a girl named Penny Lane who is obsessed with the Beatles and creates a non-dating girls club? The Beatles freak and teenage girl in me had to read this one. The story is fun. I didn’t like it as much as I had hoped to (mostly because some of it seemed like Eulberg way trying to sound too teenager), but I enjoyed reading it.
6. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (February)
I had a nightmare about zombie cats after reading this book. No, there are no zombie cats in FHT (non-human animals are immune to the infection), but I am sure the book inspired the dream. This book was intense and scary and beautifully written. I can’t wait for the next one!
7. The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard (March)
This is one of those books that gives you a little slice of someone’s life. Yes, there is an overarching plot, and the main character goes through some changes and learns about himself, but really I just felt like I was along for the ride observing Colt’s life for a while. This was a quick read and I really enjoyed it.
8. The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst (March)
This book was quite bizarre, what with the main character trying to teach his dog to speak English and all. The writing style was very unique, and it drew me in. While the overarching plot was pretty sad, it definitely had its funny moments. Also it’s moments where it scared me a little, as I saw a lot of Lexy in myself.
9. The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan (March)
Holy crow, this book is amazing. I don’t think my heart slowed to below 160 beats per minute the whole time I was reading it. The romantic tension is just as high as the fear. I love The Forest of Hands and Teeth, but I think I love this one even more.
10. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (March)
Shiver was on my to-be-read list for a long, long time. I thought the concept was intriguing and was curious to see how Maggie executed it. I really enjoyed this book and think it is wonderfully written. However; I liked it but just didn’t love it. I didn’t get that rush of emotion that I tend to get so easily when I am reading. This might be no fault of Shiver’s though…it might have just been my mood when reading. Either way, I am excited to read the sequel, Linger, when it comes out.
11. The Last Summer (of You & Me) by Ann Brashares (March)
I found myself hating and loving this book all at the same time. I loved the setting and how vividly and beautifully Fire Island came to life in my mind. I hated how Paul treats Alice even though (and partly because) he loves her. I loved that the characters felt real and that I could understand their actions, even when I hated what their actions were. I hated that the way two characters related to each other was uncomfortably similar to a past relationship I had. I loved this book. I hated that it ended.
12. The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson (March)
A lot of people classify this as an “issue book” since it deals with a girl coming out as a lesbian. But this book is so much more than that. It is an honest look at relationships and why they often don’t last. It is funny and clever and honest. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read more of Maureen’s stuff.
14. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen (March)
I have loved Sarah Dessen in theory for a long, long time. When I lived in Hawai’i during the summer of 2003, I picked up the How to Deal movie tie-in (That Summer and Someone Like You) because I thought it would be a nice summer-time read. I really enjoyed it and have thought ever since that I should get more of hers. I finally took the plunge with this book and holy crap I loved it! I am an official Sarah Dessen convert–I will read them all now!
15. Heaven’s Shadow by Jeff Downs (March)
Um. I don’t really know what to say about this one. I really enjoyed the story. It has a strong plot and just enough romance, but it almost seemed like everything was just too easy for the characters. Sure, they had opposition and rough times, but on the large scale, things just fell into place with very little obstacle or repercussion. That said, I still really enjoyed the book.
16. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters (April)
To be honest, I was hesitant to read this. I have seen it on the shelves quite a few times, and my reaction was always akin to “meh.” But, this is what they picked for YA book club this month, so I went ahead and read it. I was really pleasantly surprised. The story is fun and the characters are memorable. And Daniel Waters’s mockery of PC culture in America was brilliant! I will definitely read the rest of this series.
17. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen (April)
Amazing. Absolutely amazing. How on Earth did I let seven years pass in between discovering Sarah Dessen and reading more of her stuff? I love, love, love her writing! This is the fourth book of hers I have read, and it just might be my favorite. Of course, I might say that about all of them right after I read them.
+18. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling (April)
It’s Harry Potter. ‘Nuff said.
19. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway (April)
The narrative voice of this book is SO great! As I was reading it, I just kept thinking someday I will write something with this great a voice. The premise reminds me a lot of an old episode of Boy Meets World, but the execution is wholly original. This is a great read for music lovers!
+20. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling (April)
Again: what can I say about Harry Potter? I love it. Every time I read this book, I think of Rex Manning.
+21. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling (April)
See #18 and #20. Minus the Rex Manning thing, of course.
22. Evernight by Claudia Gray (May)
When we decided to read this book for YA Book Club this month, I was really excited. I have heard so many great things about the Evernight Series. I have to say: I was quite disappointed. The story itself was fun, and for the most part the writing was strong. But Claudia Gray kept her big reveal a secret for half of the book. Which would be fine–I am all for keeping the audience guessing–except her first-person narrator knew the secret the whole time. It was a betrayal of her narration to keep it a secret so long. So, yes, it had the impact she intended. Also yes: I felt like it was just really sloppy writing. Even so, I wouldn’t be opposed to reading the other books in the series (though I don’t know that I will).
+23. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling (May)
This was always my favorite HP book. I don’t really know why, but I have always just loved this one the most. We will see if that holds up when I finish rereading them all.
24. IRL by Jamie Harrington (May)(beta-read)
I can’t say much about this one since I was just beta-reading it, but I can say this: I LOVED IT!
25. The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller (May)(ARC)
I got this one from Traveling ARC Tours. When I read the first page, I wasn’t sure I would like it (there was a very specific reason – that went away very quickly). Once I got into the reading groove, though, I ended up reading it in one sitting. Sure, there are things about the main character that really annoy me, but the story was AWESOME. I definitely recommend getting it when it comes out (end of August).
26. A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn (June)
This was our June selection for YA book club, which we picked because we thought the modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty was a neat idea. The first few chapters I didn’t think I would like it much – the two narrators both drove me batty. She was a spoiled brat, and he was an ungrateful punk. But the more I read, the more I came to enjoy this book. Both characters grow up a lot throughout the course of their story, and by the end I actually liked them!
27. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce (June)
Words could not describe how excited I was for this one, and now words cannot describe how much I love it. It was every bit as good as I expected it to be – maybe better.
28. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer (June)
While I really enjoyed this one–it was great seeing the other side to the events in Eclipse–I wasn’t able to be completed pulled into this one the way I have been all of Meyer’s other books. Maybe it’s because I knew how it was going to end, so there wasn’t a ton of suspense leading up to the climax.
+29. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling (June)
Ugh, Harry is SO frustrating in this book, but that is really what makes it so great to me. He is arrogant and attitudinal and everything else that a fifteen-year-0ld boy is. Rowling did a superb job capturing her characters.
+30. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling (June)
I had forgotten a lot of the details of this book, so it was a joy reading it again. I love that Rowling takes her readers deeper into Voldemort’s past in this book so, while we still don’t know exactly what makes him tick, we get an idea of where he came from and how he became who he is now.
+31. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling (June)
If I had forgotten a lot about book 6, I remembered almost nothing about this book. I knew the basics of how things turned out, but I remembered so little of the story, it was like it was unfolding for me for the first time. I got so caught up in it that all I could do was read. I gasped and groaned and laughed and cried. I LOVED this book.
32. Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James (June)(ARC)
I got this on a Traveling ARC basis. From the very first line, I was totally hooked. The story was so intense and so heartbreaking, and the characters written so well that I wanted to reach in the pages and strangle one of them. It is no surprise that this has already sold in 33 territories; Beautiful Malice is amazing.
33. Spells by Aprilynne Pike (June)
I loved Wings when I read it last year, and I was really excited to read this one when it came out. Still, for some reason, I waited for a while after getting it before cracking it open. I don’t know why, as I loved this book just as much as the first. I liked seeing more into the faerie world and getting to see more of the relationships between Laurel & David & Tamani. I also like the way the “love triangle” was handled–way better than in most books.
34. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (June)
It’s no secret that I have a crush on Sarah Dessen and love everything she writes. Also, I know that very time I read a book of hers, it becomes my new favorite Dessen book. So, I can’t help but to say it again. This book dealt with some very serious issues, but in a great way. While the issues were always there, they were there not to make this an “issue book” but because they were part of who these characters are.
35. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan (June)
I liked this book, I really did. But I didn’t love it like I thought it would. I think it is because I expected so much out of it. After all, when YA Highway did the RTW about what our favorite April book was a TON of people said Will Grayson. They raved about it. So I expected to love it. But I just liked it. A lot, but still not as much as I thought I would.
36. Impossible by Nancy Werlin (June)
I got this a long time ago because I loved the cover. Bubba read it right away and really, really enjoyed it, so when I told him to pick me out a new book, he picked this one. I loved it! It was so intriguing and I loved the way she worked Scarborough Fair into a puzzle for the book. Also, the love story was way different from what I usually see in YA, which was REALLY refreshing.
37. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (June)(ARC)
Oy. The problem with reading an ARC is that, if it leaves you hanging at the end, you have even longer to wait for the sequel than if you would have waited for the book to be released. This is where I am at right now with Nightshade. I really, really enjoyed it. However, I see the love story taking the typical route instead of doing something unique and long overdue in the YA world. Maybe Andrea will prove me wrong on this one though!
38. Firelight by Sophie Jordan (July)(ARC)
I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved the narrative style, and the story. It was a fairly simple story, but it had good heart to it, so it filled the pages without ever lagging. At first I was frustrated over the narrator being drawn to the person who is so dangerous for her (I am SICK of reading that in YA), but the further I read, I got past that and ended up really enjoying it.
39. Looking for Alaska by John Green (July)
Um, why did I wait so long to read this? Seriously, I think everyone should go ahead and pick this up–it is just that good. The funny thing is that whenever anyone wanted a good book suggestion, I would say Looking for Alaska…for years before I even read it. Somehow I knew it was good enough to recommend.
40. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (July)(ARC)
I haven’t read the Mortal Instruments series yet, but I really enjoyed this one. It did irritate me that the main character was more drawn to the boy who didn’t treat her as well as the other did (I am really sick of seeing this in YA), but the story was good enough that I could look past that.
41. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen (July)
Sarah Dessen does it again! I loved this book. This might be the first time I read a book of hers, however, that I didn’t say immediately after that it was my favorite of hers. Though I think it was partly because I didn’t let myself get so immersed in it that I finished it in 2 sittings like I tend to do. Either way, I really, really enjoyed this book. Have I mentioned that I love Sarah Dessen yet?
42. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (July)
This book has been recommended to me quite a few times, but I never picked it up until it was chosen as our book club title this month. I don’t usually read fantasy as traditional as this one (though I wouldn’t go as far as calling this high fantasy), but I LOVED this book. I will definitely be reading anything else Cashore puts out. This really was fabulous.
43. Under the Dome by Stephen King (August)
This book was a beast. Seriously huge. 1074 pages of action that takes place in 8 days. But it didn’t drag along, which is nice. It was definitely a fun read. I would have liked to see the bad guys more fleshed out – they really were just BAD, but it was not enough to turn me off of the book. I have to say, though, that I didn’t like it nearly as much as I loved Duma Key.
44. Dreamland by Sarah Dessen (August)
Another great one by Sarah Dessen. This one was kind of hard to read – it deals with a pretty tough subject. I thought at first that I wouldn’t be able to connect with a main character who keeps herself in such a terrible situation, but this was so well written and so REAL that I was right there with her. I loved it (not that I even thought I wouldn’t).
45. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (August)
After a lot of hype about this book, I started out a little disappointed because I wasn’t LOVING it the way I thought I would. But the further I read, the more it sucked me in and soon I found myself to be hyping it to others just as much as it was hyped to me. It might have had a semi-slow start, but it more than made up for it in the end.
46. The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June by Robin Benway (August)(ARC)
Having read Audrey, Wait! and loving it, I was super excited for this book. And it did not disappoint. I didn’t enjoy it as much as Benway’s first, but I really did like the story and the characters. It’s a nice, fun book to read.
47. The Ruins by Scott Smith (August)
I watched the movie version of The Ruins a while back – I didn’t expect much going into it, but was pleasantly surprised. It was actually really good. So, when I found a used copy of this book, I figured it was worth a shot. I am really glad I read it – this book was really good!
48. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (September)
Oh, bleep! I loved this book! I have been following Kiersten’s blog for a couple years now and was so thrilled for her when she sold this book. The last year waiting to read it has been killer! Kiersten definitely did not disappoint – the wait was worth every second. Already, I can’t wait for the next one.
49. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (September)
I liked this book just as much as Shiver – maybe even more. The new narrative voices were fun. It was neat to see things in a more rounded way instead of just from Sam and Grace. I am excited to see how things end with Forever.
50. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (September)
Wow.
51. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (September)
Wow.
52. Mockingjay by Susanne Collins (September)
Wow. (Even though I didn’t like it quite as much as the first two, I still loved it, and as a whole, the trilogy blew my mind.)
53. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (September)
What a fun world to read about. Maybe it’s just because I know Clare used to write a lot of Harry Potter fan-fiction, but I can definitely see the JK Rowling influence in her writing style – which is a wonderful thing. It is simple, crisp, and concise. And she might have the quickest solution ever to ending a love triangle in this book!
+54. IRL by Jamie Harrington (September)(Beta-read round 2)
I loved this manuscript the first time around, but I have to say it is much improved now and I love it even more. I really, really hope Jamie can find a home for this so everyone else can read it as well!
55. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (September)
Admittedly, I didn’t like this one as much as the first, but it was still a really enjoyable read. I think mostly it was my mindset that bothered me – and Simon. I got sick of his whining. But it was definitely a fun sequel and I will be reading the others!
56. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (October)
I had a hard time getting into this at first and didn’t think I was going to like it. Which was kinda sad, since I had heard so many good things about it. Eventually, though, it drew me in and I ended up really enjoying it. Not my favorite book ever, but once I got past the execution (which I didn’t like) and just focused on the idea and story (which I did), it was good.
57. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger (October)(ARC)
Holy crap I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down – I just HAD to keep reading. The narrative voice was so great, and the story was interesting. I can’t even express how much I liked this one.
58. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (October)
Like the first two, I enjoyed this book. It was nice to learn more about the world of Idris and the Shadowhunters. It was a nice way to finish up the trilogy – even though there will now be six. I will read Clare’s other books…though I think she could leave it as is and be just fine.
59. Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper (October)
This series came highly recommended by my husband. So far, I have not been disappointed. This was a fun action adventure with kids as the protagonists. I thought it was a really fun read – not my normal style, but I liked it.
60. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (October)
This book is much more high fantasy than the first in the series, which seemed more adventure to me. The husband like this one the best, and I really enjoyed it, but I think I like the adventure feel of the first better.
61. Greenwitch by Susan Cooper (October)
This one goes back a bit to the adventure of the first one that I enjoyed so much. It is nice to see the casts from both books being put together in this one.
62. House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer (November)
I cannot say enough good things about this book. It was just SO amazing. I would recommend it to everyone.
63. The Grey King by Susan Cooper (November)
The series moves to Wales – which means there are a lot of words I can’t pronounce.
64. Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper (November)
I thought this book was a great way to round out the series. We have the whole cast from the earlier books working together. I really enjoyed it. It took me a long time to get through these books, but I would definitely recommend them.
65. Prodigal Maggie by Abby Stevens (December) (BETA READ)
Watch out for this one in the future! I have beta-read for a few people in the past, but never have I seen a manuscript at this level of polish at this point. I can’t give anything away about what is in the book, but know that it is REALLY good. Really, really.
66. The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (December)
It was great to read a contemporary fantasy for a change! I see a lot of urban fantasy and a bit of traditional fantasy, but rarely do I read a fantasy set in the here and now. I was seriously impressed with this book and the world Chima created. She now has 2 companion novels to this out – I will definitely be reading them.
+67. Wither by JG Passarella (December)
I definitely didn’t devour this book like I did last time I read it, but I still enjoyed it well enough. Funny thing is: I read it because an element in the book is something I have been struggling with in Incubus and I thought reading how Passarella handles it would jump-start my own solution. Except, it turns out that element doesn’t come in until the second book. Oops. Oh well. I still enjoyed reading it.
68. Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott (December)
I picked this book out solely based on the wonderful blurb Sarah Dessen gave it, and…WOW! I am so glad I got it. I read the whole thing in a matter of a couple hours – I just couldn’t put it down. I will definitely be looking for more of Scott’s books to read in the future.
69. Devilish by Maureen Johnson (December)
Maureen Johnson’s books are so fun, and this is no different. It was not my favorite book ever, but I definitely enjoyed reading it. It was cute.
70. Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers (December)
I kinda hated the narrator in this book, but then I guess that was the point. She wasn’t meant to be likeable. I did like the story and the plot a lot – and, really, the narrator grew on me as well.
71. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (December)
Holy crap, I loved this book! I had high, high, HIGH hopes for this, and Stephanie surpassed even those. It quickly became one of my all-time favorites. I can’t wait to read more from her. Until then, I will continue to swoon over this one.
72. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers (December)
I got this at the same time I got Cracked Up To Be. I enjoyed the first well enough, so I figured I would give this a shot too. I liked it much better than the first one (though I liked that one as well), I think mostly because I liked the narrator better. This is a tough book that deals with a lot of ugly – but very real – things; I would definitely recommend it.
+73. Prodigal Maggie by Abby Stevens (December) (BETA)
Second read-through. Still love it!
74. Jane by April Lindner (December)
I love Jane Eyre and I love a good modernization (and I love the cover of this book) so I figured I better give this one a shot. It was SO good. Lindner did a great job tying all the elements of the original into this book and actually making them work in modern day, which I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to do.
75. Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen (December)
Sarah Dessen does it again – I absolutely love this book. It isn’t my favorite of hers, but I will read it again, I am sure. This book seems to be more lesson-y than her others, but she doesn’t hit you over the head with the lesson. And, really, it is a lesson that I needed to be reminded of big time, so it was a timely read.
76. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (December)
This one has been on my to-read list since it came out more than a year ago, I just hadn’t gotten to it yet. So I was very excited when my mom got me it (and the sequel) for Christmas. I enjoyed the story very, very much. Even more so I enjoyed the Southernisms. I only lived in the South for a short period (though, in my mind I sometimes still live there
2 Comments
has splattered all over the inside of my cranium. Forest of Hands and Teeth has become a read-or-die for me. Saw the cover, read the pitch, now I’m fixated. Monday won’t get here soon enough.
I read the first half of it yesterday, and was sad when the husband finally pried it from my hands so I could get some sleep last night. It is beautifully written and SO intense. I love it and already can’t wait for The Dead Tossed Waves to come out in a few days.