2010: The Year in Books

At the beginning of 2010, I set the lofty goal of reading 50 books in one year. I’m standing at 42 books right now, with a little over three and a half weeks to go, so it looks like I just might be able to make it!

As the year winds down, I’ve been reflecting on my reading this year. And so I shall highlight the literary highs and lows of 2010.

The Best Book I Read This Year:

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

This book was un-put-downable. It was so good, in fact, that it just warranted the creation of a stupid new word: un-put-downable. Verghese created fascinating characters, set them in an intriguing and exotic country, tangled them in captivating relationships, and threw in some history, politics, romance, and medicine, just to make things a bit more interesting. Fantastic!

Funniest Book:

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

You wouldn’t expect a Pulitzer Prize-winning classic with a villain as treacherous as Blue Duck, a setting as unforgiving as a cross-country cattle drive, and a hero as tragic as Captain McCrae to be my pick in the comedy category. But there you go. The dialog alone often brought me to tearful giggles. (This is not a strictly ‘funny’ novel though… McMurtry skillfully guides his readers through sour jealousy, bone-aching cold, blinding dust, stinging embarrassment, hollow hunger, and deep, deep love. It is a long journey, but every minute is a pleasure.)

Saddest Book:
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
I highlighted this book briefly before, but this one was definitely one of the most heart-wrenching reads of the year.

Most Interesting Non-Fiction:
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
I don’t read much non-fiction, but this one really captured my attention. As I’ve been training for the half-marathon, I found these stories of ultra-runners to be very absorbing. As McDougall investigated the astounding endurance of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico, who regularly run hundreds of miles at a time in their homemade sandals, he introduced us to a cast of other elite runners. It was inspiring, educational, and entertaining. I’m not going to take up barefoot running, but I will certainly be focusing on my form!

Worst Book of 2010:
Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo
It wasn’t easy choosing a selection for this dubious honor. Unfortunately, there were several contenders. March, Twilight, and Olive Kitteridge were all disappointing. But Sworn to Silence is the clear winner here. Why on earth this book has a 4.5 star rating on Amazon is beyond me...

Honorable Mentions:
I didn’t get a chance to review all of the books I read this year, but I really enjoyed Leota’s Garden, The Hunger Games series, Shutter Island, The Irresistible Henry House, I Capture the Castle, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and These Is My Words.

I wonder what I should read next year? I’m actually thinking about cutting waaaay back. We’ll see how that goes. I might have better luck quitting chocolate!