Friday, December 31, 2010

Wrapping Up 2010's 50 Book Challenge

For the past two years, I have participated in my local library's 50 Book Challenge.  In 2009, I read 68 books therefore more than fulfilling the 50 Book Challenge for which I earned a lovely coffee mug.  I read less books in 2010 (but more classic books) and my grand total for the year is 56.  So, once again, I met the 50 Book Challenge and can pick up my special coffee mug next week!

Each month, I post about the books that I have finished during that particular month and give my 1 to 5 star ratings.  Last year, it was fairly easy to pick my favorite book of the year - The House of the Scorpion was my definite favorite book of 2009.  This year, I don't have a clear favorite so I decided to highlight my favorite book within each category of books that I read this year.  All of the 56 books that I read fall into one of the following categories:

  • Romance Novels
  • Cozy Mysteries
  • General Nonfiction
  • General Fiction
  • Homeschooling Books
  • Young Adult/Children's Novels
  • History
  • Classics.

Romance Novels
I read 16 romance novels this year, most of them Highlander romances.  I love a good romance about a hulking Scottish hero - I freely admit it.  I liked all of the books that I read in this category and it's difficult to pick a favorite so I will need to pick a favorite series.  My favorite series of 2010 was the Highlander books by Karen Marie Moning.  
General Fiction
I read 5 fiction books that didn't fit into any of my other categories.  While I loved all of these books, my very favorite book was one that I read in one night - usually with tear-filled eyes - An Amish Christmas by Cynthia Keller.  


Cozy Mysteries
I read 7 cozy mysteries.  I really liked all of them and all of them are part of a series, as most cozy mysteries tend to be.  My very favorite cozy mystery, though, was The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis.
Homeschooling
I read 3 books this year about homeschooling.  My favorite of the 3 was Managers of Their Schools:  A Practical Guide to Homeschooling by Steven and Teri Maxwell.
Young Adult/Children's Novels
I read 9 young adult/children's novels, most of which I read because I had assigned them to one of my children to read for school.  I listened to the two Harry Potter books on CD for the third time - they're definitely my favorite books from this category.
History
Three of the four history books that I read correspond with the history curriculum I'm using this year and From Bondage to Freedom was a review book for TOS Crew.  My favorite history book was Gilgamesh the Hero by Geraldine McCaughrean.  
Classic Books
I read 10 classic books this year, all with my daughter.  Definitely, my favorite of this classics list is The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.  
Nonfiction
Of the 2 nonfiction books that I read in 2010, my definite favorite was Why Gender Matters by Leonard Sax.  I highly recommend this incredibly interesting and often, shocking book about gender differences.
So, what were your favorite books of 2010?  Do you have a reading plan for 2011?

No comments:

Post a Comment