Sheila’s Top 10 or 20 List for 2010

After I was asked to make a top ten list of my favorite reads of 2010 I floundered a bit. I happily made my goal of reading 100 books in 2010. This also left me in a bind, knowing I had 100 books to choose from. I agree with Mindy, it is like asking who is your favorite child or friend.

I also have a hard time with only picking 10 so I picked my top 12 and then continued with books that I would include in my top 20. I know, I am shamelessly changing the rules here.

These are my picks in no particular order:

1. The Healing Spell by Kimberley Griffiths Little

To say that this book enchanted me, it is not just a play on words of the title. There truly was something magical about the way that Kimberley writes. I was pulled into the story from the beginning and didn’t leave the bayou until the last page. This book has stayed with me the past month since I read it. I have remembered the colorful details and rich characters. I borrowed this book from the library, but this is one book I will be purchasing for my own collection.

2. Cross My Heart by Julie Wright

This book made me laugh so hard. I loved the main character and how many strange things happened to her. (Sadly she reminded me of myself and how “things” just seem to happen to me while around men.) I loved her weird mother. The best part was the love triangle, which was more like a square. This is such a feel good book. I will be reading it again soon.

3. A Time To Die by Jeff Savage

I waited so long for this sequel in the Shandra Covington series and I was not disappointed at all. I also feel like it was the best book yet in the series. This was another book that I picked up and could not put down. I really loved the ending! I also loved the fact that Bobby is not left in perilous circumstances at the end of this book.

4. Seventh Earth by Richard Bradford

This is such an outstanding sci-fi/fantasy book.

If you are a fan of this genre you MUST read it! Richard is a great writer and I had a hard time putting the book down. I can’t wait for the sequel. It has a great storyline and it is amazing that this is Richard’s first book. He writes like a Pro!

5. I Am Not A Serial Killer and Mr. Monster by Dan Wells

There is something about these books that are so compelling. You get sucked in and are hooked until the end. I really love how you are kept guessing until the very end. In a strange way, you are cheering for John even if he has a very wacked out mind.

6. Hotel On The Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

This book won the Whitney Award in the General Fiction Category of this past year’s Whitney Awards. It is a story that takes place during WW2 in California. The main character is a young Chinese boy who befriends a young Japanese girl. It shows the turmoil of that time. This story stays with you. This is a good read for book clubs.

7. Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden

It seems like everyone has loved this book. It is such a sweet romance that just makes you sigh. Sarah is one of the best Regency romance writers today. Sarah’s newest book was recently released. It will definitely be on next years reading list.

8. Becoming Kate by Dixie Owens

I was right in the middle of six other books when I received this book. I picked it up to read the first chapter and never put it down until I was done. This book is so thought provoking. It deals with the idea of a brain transplant and if feelings and memories would survive from the donor. It brings up so many questions in your own mind. Dixie does a great job of showing one woman’s story and how resolution comes to this character.

9. Blink of An Eye by Gregg Luke

Gregg Luke’s books keep me on the edge. This one did not disappoint. Even though it was slightly different from his others, he delved more into his main character and his past. It has a great mystery that you search for the answer right along with the main character. I loved this one a lot!

10. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I just reviewed this book on my personal book review blog. I explained there why it took so long for me to get this book read. Once I got over the problem I had, I ended up really liking this book. Other readers have told me they had the same problem. They now are going to try reading this again after I shared my secret. Let’s just say you will not be sorry for taking the time to read this novel.

11. The Sapphire Flute by Karen Hoover

Excellent debut from first time author Karen Hoover. This fantasy book has everything. The thing that female readers will love, is that the main characters are female. But, this is not just a book for females. There is so much action that males readers will also like this book. This is the first book in a long series. I have heard bits and pieces about the next book and I can’t wait to read it.

12. Divine Intervention: A Story of Faith and Miracles by Helen and Randy Hall

If you notice, this is the only non-fiction book that made my top 10 (12) list. This personal account almost reads like a novel. It leaves you on the edge of your seat. At the same time, you left with such gratitude for life and the miracles that can and do happen. I highly suggest that you read this book. The Hall’s story is one that should be read by everyone.

My Honrable Mentions, that are in my top 20 books:

• Band of Sisters by Annette Lyon
• Crossfire by Traci Hunter Abramson
• The Musician’s Daughter by Susanne Dunlap
• Gregor and the Overlander 5 book series by Suzanne Collins
• Lucky Change by Susan Law Corpany
• Hometown Girl by Michelle Ashman Bell
• Heroes of the Fallen by David J. West

The book that most disappointed me in 2010 was Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I just did not like it. I hated the ending and how Pres. Snow died. (Sadly I had a much more grisly end planned for him in my mind.) I was left feeling so unsatisfied and cheated by this third book. What happened to Prim just made me hate the ending even more. I just remember closing the book and shaking my head. I am doing it right now. **sigh** Hunger Games is on my all time top 10 list, but Mockingjay wasn’t even close.

After I read my fellow LDSWBR sisters lists, I realized that there were so many of their favorites I wanted to read but didn’t get to. Next year, you will probably see some of their favorites on my top 10 list.