Since this is my first post of the New Year, I thought it would be nice to take a look back at last year’s reading to see what I loved, didn’t love so much, and how many books I’ve actually read. As it turns out, I read more than I thought I did.
103 total books
93 fiction
5 non-fiction
5 DNFs
63 of the books were written by women
37 by men
I started 10 series and finished 3; 6 are in progress. Of the 6 in progress, 3 I probably won’t continue with.
When it came time to pick a favorite, I couldn’t. Of course there are standouts but I can’t pick a single book so I’m picking several as my favorite reads. The books are in no particular order, and if I’ve written a review, I’ve linked to it.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
The Kingmaking, Pendragon’s Banner, and Shadow of the King by Helen Hollick
Disquiet by Julia Leigh
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach
A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
Also, since I’m truly bad at making a best of list, the following get a mention too:
The Wife’s Tale by Lori Lansens
The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
The King’s Mistress by Emma Campion
The Kingdom of Ohio by Matthew Flaming
Kraken by China Mieville
I don’t have any plans for reading in 2011. I’m not a resolution maker in general but I do make lists (rather lengthy ones; see above) of books I would like to read but those lists tend to get out of hand quickly. (This also happens with resolutions which is why I no longer make any.) I usually trash them and then start over with the hope of making things more manageable. One thing I do know is that I will be joining fewer challenges this year and probably trying to read more of the books that are currently on my shelf and on my Nook. That’s not to say I won’t be joining any challenges. There are a few that I’m signing up for because I can’t resist and I’m sure that several will come along during the year that I’ll also join.
Today, I plan to curl up on my couch and finish reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I started the book on New Year’s Eve and between friends and football games, all fun so no complaints, I haven’t had the chance to finish but today I will see the end of my Harry Potter re-read. I was hoping to finish the series before the end of the year but I’ll take two days in.
Overall, 2010 was a good year of reading for me. And here’s to hoping that 2011 will dawn shiny and bright for everyone.
Happy New Year and happy Sunday.
Just Book Reading 
I have yet to read the Harry Potter books, but I would like to start them this year. I have been holding off on making any reading resolution. i think I would like to have a bot more freedom with reading this year.
I’m trying too, with the exception of a few challenges this year, to not make any reading resolutions either. I probably will in the end though…I always do. 🙂
I’m so mad at myself for not reading Deathly Hallows when I was at home. I meant to, and then the holidays got so busy and the Saints were playing the Falcons again, and anyway I just didn’t have time. I read the best bits on the way to the airport, which was great, but it’s just not the same.
I finished this afternoon and I forgot how much I liked this one. It’s sad because it’s the end and I have no more to look forward to but I also really enjoyed it.
I plan to start reading the Harry Potter series this year!
When I saw The House on the Strand on your list, I was catapulted back, way back…I was still very young when I read the du Maurier books. I’ve been wanting to reread them.
Here’s my Salon:
http://accidentalmoments.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/first-sunday-salon-of-2011-jan-2/
I loved The House on the Strand and can’t wait to read a few more of her books this year.
Happy New Year! I think I have an Elizabeth Chadwick book on my TBR shelf– it might be The Greatest Knight? Now I’ll have to check.
I very much admire your ability to keep track of series! I always start them and then forget to finish them, or I lose interest somewhere in the middle (if it’s a long series). I’m going to try and do better with that in the next few years.
It’s tough to keep track some days especially if it’s a series I don’t really love.
I just finished A Clash of Kings, the second book in A Song of Ice and Fire—superb, whenever you get around to it. 🙂 Here’s to a happy and shiny new reading year!
Excellent! I’m so glad to hear the second delivers. A Game of Thrones was so fabulous I was worried about the second. I’m looking forward to this book.
I have yet to read the Harry Potter books, but I would like to start them this year. I have been holding off on making any reading resolution. i think I would like to have a bot more freedom with reading this year.