2010 Wrap Up Post

This year I ended up reading 277 books, that is more than 2009 where I read 227 books.  So it was a great year for reading.  You can go to the full list of books read here.  I have also broken them down into category below by genre and age group.

I also had some great author interviews and giveaways this year!  I hope to do more guest posting next year and hold more giveaways.   I do plan on keeping this blog review focused though and hope to continue giving you all 4-5 book reviews a week.


By Genre:
Fantasy: 77
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal: 114
Science Fiction: 18
Horror/Thriller: 10
Graphic Novel: 13
Historical Fiction: 12
General Fiction: 22
Non-fiction: 12 

By Age Group:
Adult: 130
Young Adult: 97
Middle Grade: 44
Children's: 5

Reading Challenges:
I completed all of my reading challenges this year so that was wonderful.  I am looking forward to repeating some of the reading challenges next year and also doing some new ones!

- Summer Romance Challenge: Complete!
- Thriller and Suspense Reading Challenge: Complete!
- Debut Author Reading Challenge: Complete!
- Young Adult Reading Challenge: Complete!
- Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge: Complete!
- GLBT Reading Challenge: Complete!
- 100+ Book Reading Challenge: 242 read (stopped keeping track in Dec)
- 1st in a Series Challenge: Complete!
- Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge Book List: Complete!

Best of 2010 - Young Adult Paranormal and Dystopia Books

I read a ton of young adult, most of it in the paranormal genre.  This is an area that is really exploding lately!  Anyway below are my favorites for this year; I included dystopias in this post as well.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay (my review)

This whole series is absolutely excellent and the conclusion to it, Mockingjay, was stunning.

Nightshade (Witches War, Book 1) by Andrea Cremer

(my review)

A stunner of a debut novel, I devoured this huge book in no time flat.  It took werewolves to a whole new level and was wonderful!  I can't wait to read Wolfsbane next year.

The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King (my review)

The Iron Daughter (my review)

The Iron Queen (my review)

The most excellent fairy based young adult series I have ever read.  Fun, easy to read, creative, great characters, and intriguing.  I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read The Iron Knight when it comes out next year.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

(my review)

This was another great debut novel.  It features a heroine that is girly and spunky and so much fun.  Lots of action, very creative world; this book really stands out apart from the other paranormal YA books out there!  I can't wait to read Supernaturally when it comes out next year.

Demon Princess: Reign Check by Michelle Rowen

(my review)

Absolutely loved the first book in this series Demon Princess: Reign or Shine and this second book was another wonderful addition to the series.  These are again very creative and fun and feature a normal girl who finds out she is a demon princess.  Rumor is that there won't be any more books in this series, which is a bummer, but they are still wonderful so check them out.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound (my review)

Last Sacrifice (my review)

Did you think I would forget this series on my list?!  Of course not!  This is a wonderful series featuring a strong female lead, a complex vampire society, and hands down wonderful writing.  It wrapped up nicely and I can't wait to see what spin-offs Mead comes up with for this series.

Matched by Ally Condie

(my review)

This is a dystopian fantasy.  It is kind of a Brave New World or Handmaid's Tale for the modern teen set.  I really enjoyed it and enjoyed how it looked at things from a different point of view.  Here the heroine is a peace-loving non-conflict type of girl but her world of perfection is slowly shattered around her.  Some neat ideas and east to read, I enjoyed it.

Best of 2010 - Middle Grade and YA Fantasy

I read a ton of great Middle Grade and YA fantasy this year.  My favorites are listed below.

Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull

Keys to the Demon Prison (my review)

This was an excellent series and Keys to the Demon Prison wrapped up the series in a fantastic way!  If you haven't read this series you should.

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding

(my review)

This was an excellent book.  Set in a dark Victorian London it tells the story of a Wych hunter and the young possessed girl he is struggling to save.  With an intricate plot and wonderful characters it was a great read.

The Bone Magician (Tales of the Sinister City, Book 2) by F.E. Higgins

(my review)

This was another dark Victorian London book about a boy working for an undertaker and a hunt for a serial killer.  Full of interesting plot twists and wonderful characters this was definitely a winner.  I can't wait to read the other books in this series.

Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix

Lord Sunday (my review)

This was an excellent series and Lord Sunday was a fabulous conclusion to it.  Everyone has probably heard of this series.  It is incredibly creative and a wonderful read.  Nix is an excellent writer and I am a big fan of his.

Moon and Sun series by Holly Lisle

The Ruby Key (my review)

The Silver Door (my review)

An excellent adventure/fantasy series, these two books were incredible.  Lisle is great at building wonderful worlds and realistic characters.  My only problem is that the second book leaves a lot of issue hanging and I haven't been able to find info on when the next book will be released.

Rise of the Darklings (The Invisible Order, Book 1) by Paul Crilley

(my review)

This was a great book.  Another one set in Victorian London, this involves a girl and boy who have lost their parents and get entangled in the world of fairy in efforts to find them.  Very well written, great world and characters...I loved it! 

Ilyria by Elizabeth Hand

(my review)

This book is more appropriate for YA audiences than middle grade.  It follows a pair of cousins through a journey of star-crossed love.  Beautifully and intelligently written it was impossible to put down.  I absolutely loved it.

Pegasus by Robin McKinley

(my review)

This book reminds of McKinley's older works like The Hero and The Crown.  This was a wonderful book, targeted at the young (teen) female audience.  Just a warning this is part of a duology and this book leaves you in a terrible spot.  It was a wonderful book though and I would definitely give it a read if you are a fantasy fan.