Best Book of 2010: The Duff by Kody Keplinger. I've heard either people like this book, or they hate it. I absolutely LOVED it. I think it's because I related so much to the story. I knew this girl back in high school, she was me. I always felt like the "ugly one" among my friends and felt like no guy would want me. It wasn't until college that I started to follow in Bianca's (the main character) foot steps. I thought that being intimate with someone was the way to win their heart, unfortunately. I realize now how unbelievably wrong that is. We learn from our mistakes, and we grow from them. I would not take back those years because they are a part of who I am today. This book reminded me of who I used to be, and how far I've come. When a book can speak to me that way, it's unbelievable.
Most Disappointing Book of 2010: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. I had heard such great things about this book & so I was very eager to read it myself. Perhaps the bar was set a little too high? The story fell flat for me (no pun intended) & I found it hard to finish. I was bored with it & could not connect to the characters. However - I am not totally faulting the author, I think she has a lot of potential & I want to read more from her.
Most Surprising Book of 2010: The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I was petrified to pick up this book simply for it's volume. Seriously, it's like a million pages long. But after some prodding by a very good friend of mine, I gave in & took the challenge head on. My good friend told me, "get through the first 200 pages & you'll LOVE it!" I thought, what?! I have to get through 200 first? But.. she was right! This book surprised me at how quickly it sucked me in (200 pages later) and how much I needed to know how it all ended. If you're not a fan of Stephenie Meyer due to her Twilight series - I suggest grabbing this book. It could change your mind!
Book You Recommended to People Most in 2010: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson. I loved this book more than words can say. The characters were believable, the story was heart-warming, & the added bonus of an actual travel log with playlists for this grand adventure across the U.S. was genius! I think I told everyone in the book blogging community about it's awesomeness - at least twice.
Best Series You Discovered in 2010: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Yes, I was late showing up to this party. After numerous recommendations from a friend, I finally decided to give it a go. And boy was I glad I did! This world that Collins has created is thought-provoking & endless. She touched on so many emotions for me that no other book has before. When I finished Mockingjay my first reaction was, WHAT?! But then after some heavy thinking, I realized - WOW! that was incredible.
Favorite New Authors You Discovered in 2010: Simone Elkeles. I discovered her books earlier this year & started following her on facebook. I noticed how she really reached out to her fan-base & made an effort to reply to comments & emails. Maybe I'm not as experienced with authors, but I thought that was awesome! She also really respects the profession of teaching, and coming from a soon-to-be-teacher, I REALLY respect that! Plus her books are fabulous!!
Most Hilarious Read of 2010: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan. I'm not sure I've ever read a book before where I was literally laughing out loud. Sure, there's been a smile & a chuckle here & there - but with this book, I was almost busting at the seams. The writing is very witty & comical, and the story has such a feel-good aspect to it.
Most Un-put-downable Book in 2010: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick. I was eager for the follow-up to Hush, Hush so I knew I'd fly threw this book once I finally got my hands on it. This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was like one big roller coaster too! One thing would happen, and then something else would happen & I just couldn't seem to put the book down! I plowed through it in one day's worth of work - oops!Book You Most Anticipated in 2010: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater. I can not choose between the two. I had their release dates marked on my calendar months in advance. Cassandra Clare is one of my favorite YA paranormal authors. After reading her Mortal Instruments series the previous year, I was missing so much of her writing! I love that Clockwork Angel is based in the same world, yet we're introduced to new characters to fall in love with.. all over again! As for Linger, you are crazy if you weren't looking forward to this book after reading Shiver. I had to know what happened next!!!
Favorite Book Cover You Read in 2010: The View from the Top by Hillary Frank. Though this book was not a favorite of mine, it still holds the place as my favorite book cover for this year. I really love the small print & the different type. This "view" in particular is a scene in the book & I really like when a publisher does that. I want to be there, on that ferris wheel, at that beach.
Most Memorable Character in 2010: Katniss from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. For obvious reasons: her strength, her selfless-ness, and above everything.. her HEART. The final book in this series lingered with me for days after I finished reading it. A lot of that had to do with Katniss. I just could not fathom losing everything in my world (literally) and still finding the will to go on. Powerful stuff.
Book That Had the Biggest Impact on You in 2010: Speak by Laurie Halse-Anderson. If you've read this book, then you know exactly what I am talking about. The subject matter for this book is intense: teenage rape. A girl feels like she can't speak up about the actions that have been done to her. Actions so terribly horrifying that I found it hard to keep reading in some places. I had heard of this book, but did not read it until it was listed as a "ban book" for some middle grade & high schools. There was an article written by a man (that I can not think of his name now!) stating that this book is not appropriate for young readers and that it should be taken out of the hands of public schools. First of all: no books should be banned! It is the reader's decision if they can read something (and obviously the parent's decision if the reader is under-age). And second: this book's message is profound. It teaches young girls that you CAN speak up when something like this happens & that you SHOULD speak up. Why deprive our youth of this? Just because sex is mentioned? Guess what.. they've heard of sex before. I used this man's article for a paper I wrote in my Education class this semester. So yeah - this book left a pretty huge impact on me.
Book That You Can Not Believe You Waited UNTIL 2010 to Read: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. Yes, I am late to this party too! I am currently in the midst of reading these books, but they are complete awesomeness! They bring me back to my days of Twilight - my first love affair with a vampire series. I'm sad I did not pick these up sooner, but then again I picked the best time because the 6th & final book just came out! That means I don't have to wait to know what happens next. So nice.New Favorite Book Blog in 2010: I just started book blogging this year, so every book blog could be my new favorite! However there are a handful of amazing book blogs I frequent often:
- Tara at Fiction Folio
- Melissa at I Swim for Oceans
- Anna at Anna Reads
- Jamie at The Broke and the Bookish
- Lindsi at Books, Sweets, and other Treats
- Capillya at That Cover Girl
- Melanie at Reclusive Bibliophile
- Jen at Makeshift Bookmark
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