Best Reads of 2010

My grand total for 2010 (114) isn't anything to sneeze at, but it is the lowest total of books I've read since before I started this blog in 2006. However, I did surpass my yearly personal requirement of reading 52 books, so I'm thrilled that I doubled that plus. My only quasi-goal for 2011 is to continue reading what I want to read, but I have to make more time to do it. I'm hoping to do that by weeding out my google reader . . . again. That's going to be a difficult task, but one that is necessary. I spend waaaay too much time reading blogs when I would like to be reading books.

I'm itching to make some changes to my blog template, but time will not allow for that right now. I have a digital scrapbook that must be completed by the middle of February and every spare minute (outside of must-read time) is devoted to that project. I will be making changes to my monthly stats, though. A list of all the genres I've read is no longer a need, but I am still interested in tracking the following on a monthly basis:

Audiobooks

Best Reads

Books

DNF

eBooks

New-to-Me Authors (new)

Off My Shelf Reads (new)

Published in 2011 (new)

Ratings (new)

Short Stories

There are no other changes planned at this time. I will do what I have done for the last 4 1/2 years and post my thoughts on the books I read - nothing fancy, nothing lengthy.

Now for my list of my best reads of 2010 (in reading order):

1.  Still Missing (Stevens)

Thriller

2.  The Beast of Chicago (Geary)

YA NF Graphic Novel

3.  Sin & Vengeance (West)

Thriller

4.  Columbine (Cullen)

Non-Fiction Crime

5.  The End of Marking Time (West)

Science Fiction

6.  Think of a Number (Verdon)

Thriller

7.  Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter (Franklin)

Southern Mystery

8.  Left Neglected (Genova)

Realistic Fiction

9.  Someone Knows My Name (Hill)

Historical Fiction

Clicking on a title will link you to "Thoughts of Joy..."

December Reads

105.  Call Me Mrs. Miracle (Macomber) ~ 2.25/5

106.  Left Neglected (Genova) ~ 4.5/5

107.  Wishin' and Hopin' (Lamb) ~ 2/5

Fruitcake (Hockensmith) ~ 4/5

I Killed Santa Claus (Hockensmith) ~ 4/5

Secret Santa (Hockensmith) ~ 4/5

Humbug (Hockensmith) ~ 2/5

Naughty (Hockensmith) ~ 3.75/5

Hidden Gifts (Hockensmith) ~ 3.5/5

Red Christmas (Hockensmith) ~ 3.5/5

Naivete (Hockensmith) ~ 3/5

Special Delivery (Hockensmith) ~ 3.5/5

108.  Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime (Hockensmith) ~ 4/5

109.  Someone Knows My Name (Hill) ~ 4.5/5

110.  The Compound (Bodeen) ~ 2.75/5

111.  The Paper Bag Christmas (Milne) ~ 3.25/5

The Right to Remain Silent (Mack) ~ 2.25/5

112.  Ethan Frome (Wharton) ~ 4/5

A Woman Who Thinks (Mack) ~ 3/5


The People Next Door (Mack) ~ 4/5


113.  Blood of My Brother (LePore) ~ 3/5


Sympathy for the Devil (Mack) ~ 3.5/5


114.  Five Uneasy Pieces (Mack) ~ 3/5




Short Story (not counted)

BOLD titles made my Best Reads List

Clicking on a title will link you to "Thoughts of Joy...".

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FINAL 2010
Monthly - Yearly Genre Stats:

Biography:  0 - 1 

Chick-Lit:  1 - 1

Classic: 1 - 1

Fiction: 3 - 29

Graphic Memoir: 0 - 1

Historical Fiction: 1 - 3

Memoir: 0 - 5

Mystery/Police Procedural: 0 - 25

Non-Fiction:  0 - 2

Non-Fiction Graphic Novel:  0 - 1

Science Fiction:  0 - 1

Short Story Collection: 2 - 5

Suspense/Thriller: 1 - 14

True Crime: 0 - 2

YA Fiction: 0 - 8

YA Graphic Novel: 0 - 7

YA Manga:  0 - 1
YA Mystery:  0 - 1
YA Science Fiction: 1 - 2
YA Short Collection: 0 - 1
YA Thriller:  0 - 1


Children's Fiction:  0 - 1
Children's Graphic Novel: 0 - 1


Short Stories: 13 - 48


Audiobooks:  5 - 54
Books:  1 - 51
eBooks: 4 - 9
Total:  10 - 114

Best Reads:  2 - 9

Series:  0 - 37

DNF:  0 - 2

FIVE UNEASY PIECES

Author: Debbi Mack

Genre: Short Story Collection

Published: Five Uneasy Pieces, 2010

Personal Rating: 3/5 (just okay)

Yearly Count:  114

This is an eBook collection of 5 short stories.  They tended to get better as I went along.

The following are the individual titles and links to my thoughts:

1.  Deadly Detour

2.  The Right to Remain Silent

3.  A Woman Who Thinks

4.  The People Next Door

5.  Sympathy for the Devil

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL (5 of 5)

Author: Debbi Mack

Genre: Short Story Collection

Published: Five Uneasy Pieces, 2010

Personal Rating: 3.5/5 (good)

(ss) Yearly Count:  48

A wife suspects her husband of cheating, so she hires a PI.

I knew where this story was going, but still enjoyed the read.  Although, I didn't care for the little message at the end, but to each his own.

BLOOD OF MY BROTHER

Author: James LePore

Genre: Suspense, Standalone

Published: 2010

Personal Rating: 3/5 (just okay)

Yearly Count: 113

From the back cover:

When Jay Cassio's best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begin to shatter.  Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey.  When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay's parents die in a plane crash, their bond deepens to something beyond brotherhood, beyond blood.  Now Jay, a successful lawyer, must find out why Dan died and find a way to seek justice for his murder.


 Isabel Perez has lived a life both tainted and charmed since she was a teenager in Mexico.  She holds powerful sway over men and has even more powerful alliances with people no one should ever try to cross.  She desperately wants her freedom from the chains these people have placed on her.  When Jay catapults into her world, their connection is electric, their alliance is lethal, and their future is anything but certain.

I really enjoyed this story's beginning.  The setting and how Jay experienced his childhood helped me to invest in his life as an adult.  The ending which consisted of the most action was very good, as well.  A little suspension of disbelief was called for, but none-the-less, I wanted to know what was going to happen next.  Now, the middle - it wasn't for me.  I just didn't care for all of the goings on, and it dragged because of that.  Overall, it ended up being just okay; however, I know others will like it more than I did.

My thanks go to James LePore for sending me this ARC.  It was just published on December 28, 2010.

THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR (4 of 5)

Author: Debbi Mack

Genre: Short Story Collection

Published: Five Uneasy Pieces, 2010

Personal Rating: 4/5 (very good)

(ss) Yearly Count:  47

A wife hears noises next door and gets nosey - maybe too nosey for her own good.

This one was a winner!  I loved the twist.  

A WOMAN WHO THINKS (3 of 5)

Author: Debbi Mack

Genre: Short Story Collection

Published: Five Uneasy Pieces, 2010

Personal Rating: 3/5 (just okay)

(ss) Yearly Count:  46

A patient confides in her therapist that she believes she's in danger.

This one started out very good. I was excited to be really enjoying one of the stories in this collection, but then it took a turn. I didn't like that turn. To me, it was extreme and icky. I gave it a 3 because it had my interest and potential.

ETHAN FROME

Author:  Edith Wharton

Genre:  Classic Fiction, Standalone

Published:  1911

Personal Rating:  4/5 (very good)

Yearly Count:  112

An unknown narrator tells the story of Ethan Frome.  Ethan lives with his wife Zeena and Zeena's cousin Mattie.  Mattie has been invited into their home to help with the household chores due to Zeena's illness.

I teetered between 3.75 and 4, but decided upon the 4 because it was a classic.  Most classics for one reason or another just do not appeal to me and this one did, so it gets the benefit of the doubt.

Without any prior knowledge, I was very curious as to where the story was heading.  Gratefully, I was intrigued throughout.  I'm glad I read this one at this time in my life.  If I had read it in high school like many people have, I think I wouldn't have appreciated the tension and mindset of this trio.    

Oh my goodness - I just noticed that this book is almost 100 years old.  Happy Century, Ethan Frome!

  

THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT (2 of 5)

Author: Debbi Mack

Genre: Short Story Collection

Published: Five Uneasy Pieces, 2010

Personal Rating: 2.25/5 (better than not enjoyable)

(ss) Yearly Count:  45

This story is a peek into a corrupt legal system and one that didn't grab my attention. I just never connected with any of the characters.

THE PAPER BAG CHRISTMAS

Author:  Kevin Milne

Genre:  Fiction, Standalone

Published:  2008

Personal Rating:  3.25/5 (better than just okay)

Yearly Count:  111

Two young boys find out the true meaning of giving and receiving.

I definitely didn't find this as warm and fuzzy as the majority of readers did, but thought it was okay.  Of course the message is a good one, but to my surprise, it read more YA-like than I expected.  That wasn't a bad quality, I just had other expectations.  Overall, it was better than just okay - almost good.  :)


   

THE COMPOUND

Author: S. A. Bodeen

Genre: YA Apocalyptic, Standalone

Published:  2008

Personal Rating: 2.75/5 (better than eh)

Yearly Count:  110

A nuclear war forced a wealthy family into the compound that the father had been diligently preparing over the years.

This had a good premise, but quickly fell apart when holes started arising in the plot. Also the tone directed towards the young adult audience became quite apparent.  Yes, I knew it was YA, but I have read many that don't read like YA, and I was hoping this would be one of them.  Overall, it was disappointing, but I wanted to know the ending, so I was somewhat invested.  Mr. Joy liked it more than I did.

SOMEONE KNOWS MY NAME

Author: Lawrence Hill

Genre: Historical Fiction, Standalone

Published: 2007

Personal Rating: 4.5/5 (excellent)

Yearly Count: 109

"Though this work is built on the foundations of history, in some instances I have knowingly bent facts to suit the purposes of the novel."

Lawrence Hill

At the age of 11, in 1756, Aminata and her parents were kidnapped from Africa and shipped to the United States to be sold as slaves.  Now as an old woman, Aminata tells her life story.

What a fantastic, heart-wrenching, educational book! Through Aminata's eyes we experience where she traveled, what she endured and who she encountered throughout many decades. This abhorrent practice in our history comes alive, yet due to Aminata's strength and courage, hope remained alive, as well.

Lawrence Hill's words were absolutely magical. Someone Knows My Name was such a powerful story, and it's one that I won't soon forget.

NAUGHTY: NINE TALES OF CHRISTMAS CRIME

Author: Steve Hockensmith

Published: Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime, 2010

Genre: Short Story Collection

Personal Rating: 4/5 (very good)

(ss) Yearly Count:  108

This ebook collection contained 9 Christmas crime stories. A couple towards the end referred to earlier stories which made for neat connections. All the stories consisted of interesting characters and a bit of wit from Steve.  At the end of the ebook, it's mentioned that there may be another gathering of Steve's stories. I'll definitely get that collection as well. It will be interesting to see what he can do with other topics.

My final rating is not the average of the individual stories, simply because I enjoyed the ebook as a whole more than the collective average would have indicated.

The following are the individual titles and links to my thoughts:


1. Fruitcake

2. I Killed Santa Claus

3. Secret Santa

4. Humbug

5. Naughty

6. Hidden Gifts

7. Red Christmas

8. Naivete

9. Special Delivery


*Recommended By:  Jen from Jen's Book Thoughts

SPECIAL DELIVERY (9 of 9)

Author: Steve Hockensmith

Published: Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime, 2010

Genre: Short Story Collection

Personal Rating: 3.5/5 (good)

(ss) Yearly Count:  44

A trucker has a special delivery to make and a couple of goons divert his attention.

I really liked the trucker and how he told his story. And the story itself was good, I had just hoped for a little more spunk at the end.

NAIVETE (8 of 9)

Author: Steve Hockensmith

Published: Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime, 2010

Genre: Short Story Collection

Personal Rating: 3/5 (just okay)

(ss) Yearly Count:  43

Two guys come up with a scheme to get extra cash on Christmas Eve.

Nothing much to say about this one. It was just okay all the way around.

RED CHRISTMAS (7 of 9)

Author: Steve Hockensmith

Published: Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime, 2010

Genre: Short Story Collection

Personal Rating: 3.5/5 (good)

(ss) Yearly Count:  42

An elf at Santa's Workshop has been murdered!

The names of the Elves were cute and clever, but the story didn't appeal to me all that much - others would probably love it.  I still, however, really like Steve's writing style. I'm hoping for intriguing plots in the remaining stories of this collection.

HIDDEN GIFTS (6 of 9)

Author: Steve Hockensmith

Published: Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime, 2010

Genre: Short Story Collection

Personal Rating: 3.5/5 (good)

(ss) Yearly Count:  41

A sister and brother go on the hunt to find hidden Christmas gifts in the apartment.

The story was good, but nothing great.  I think the tone of the writing is what I really like.  

NAUGHTY (5 of 9)

Author: Steve Hockensmith

Published: Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime, 2010

Genre: Short Story Collection

Personal Rating: 3.75/5 (better than good)

(ss) Yearly Count:  40

A girl decides she doesn't want to be nice anymore.

This was an interesting story.  Can't say I liked any of the characters all that much, but the story kept me curious.

HUMBUG (4 of 9)

Author: Steve Hockensmith

Published: Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime, 2010

Genre: Short Story Collection

Personal Rating: 2/5 (not enjoyable)

(ss) Yearly Count:  39

This tale is based on the death of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Others probably would love this tale, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.  I don't care for Scrooge in any context, so there was virtually no win here.