Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Books Read During 2010

It's always interesting, I think, to read lists.  I'm a list maker from way back and can't seem to accomplish even the most simple tasks without a list close by.

So it only makes sense that all the "Best Of" lists that come out at the end of the year are of special interest to me.  Especially the book lists.  I eat 'em up.  There are lots I agree with, and lots I don't, but I love reading each and every one.

One of my favorites has always been the list put together at the mystery literature econference,  DorothyL.

I haven't gotten around to choosing my favorites yet, but for the first time ever, I did actually keep a list of all the books I read during the year.   I did not include any of the books I didn't finish.

They're not all mysteries, so I'll have to cull those out first to make my contribution to DorothyL, then ponder.  A few will hop right off the page, some will take a little more thought.

Do any of you keep a list of what you've read?

I always say I'm going to and I'm glad I finally did it.  I've been keeping the list here at Meanderings and Muses, and will do it again for 2011.

I know 2010 isn't quite finished, and whatever I do read between now and the end of the year, I'll be adding to the list.  Right now  I'm in the mood for poetry and for essays.  I recently finished Billy Collins' "Ballistics," (which I had loaded onto Kindle on my iPad).  And I'm now rereading Nancy Peacock's "A Broom of One's Own."

If someone were to ask if I have one favorite book from 2010, I think I'd actually have to pipe up with two.

My Reading Life by Pat Conroy

and

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

 

Books Read During 2010

 

7 comments:

Kaye said...

OOh, you read some really good ones this year. A lot of them were unfamiliar to me but I particularly liked Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and sure hope Ms. Simonson writes a sequel. Bury Your Dead lead me to read sever others of Penny's books.
The Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was a huge favorite of mine, one of those books that I will probably re-visit in the future.

Happy New Years and best wishes for health and peace.

mimja said...

Impressive list-making and reading. I've only read one of your selecteds. My favorite this year was Girl in Hyacinth Blue which moved me to tears and then I saw that the author is a lymphoma survivor. What a way to help her healing!

Shane Gericke said...

Guernsey was a wonderful read, Kaye, but I haven't read Pat's latest yet. Thanks for this terrific list, and I hope you have a great good new year. And thanks for being such a friend to all us authors. Bless you.

P.S. shpullum was my word verification word. Isn't that a great word?

danielle-momo said...

Last year I tried to make a list of the books I read . I had a good start but failed to continue.

This year I especially enjoyed:
The Guernsey Literay... and
Bury your dead.

Happy New Year and good reading !

Lesa said...

I'm with you, Kaye. Love those lists! I've read 30 of the books you did, loving Guernsey and Bury Your Dead.

As to lists, I've been keeping lists of the books I read for years. In fact, the current book covers almost the entire decade. I introduced my niece to this the year we competed. My mother keeps a list, and my grandmother did. And, I use it for answers at the library! It's a nice way to look back at my reading life.

Happy New Year, Kaye. May you have stacks of good books in 2011, and time to enjoy them!

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

Hi Everyone!

Happy New Year's Eve to you all!

Isn't it funny how we all read so much and have such a small overlap in what we've read? I love that!

Kaye - I'm with you in hoping for a sequel to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - loved it!!

Mimja - that's one I haven't read, but will check it out, thank you.

Shane Honey - Hey!! You being you, I know you'll enjoy the latest Pat Conroy. Let me know what you think. I was surprised, a bit, by how very personal it seemed to be, beginning with the acknowledgment to his daughter, who I believe is estranged from her dad. So sad.

Danielle - OH! Louise Penny's "Bury Your Dead" was fantastic, wasn't it?! I can't wait for the next one.

Lesa - you're actually the person who inspired me to start keeping this list! Actually, you've inspired me in many, many ways. And I know you will continue to do so.

Donna Fletcher Crow said...

You are absolutely amazing, kaye! Wish i could get through a fraction of that. Fun to see a few titles I've read on your list, though.