2010 Year in Review

I can’t believe 2010 is done and over with. It seems like it went by in a flash! I read 86 books this year and there was 11 books I DNF. I discovered that I really enjoy reading romantic suspense and I love a good series with lots of built-up tension. Another first for me this year was reading Urban Fantasy. Here are some other bookish highlights:

Re-Reads

1. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. The movie was coming out and I wanted to re-read the book before watching it. I love this book. It’s definitely one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks novels. I do not like that the ending of the movie differs from the ending of that found in the book.
2. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. When I got Crescendo, I realized that I couldn’t remember much of what happened in Hush, Hush so I re-read it.

Favorite Reads

1. Broken by Shiloh Walker. This was the book that paved the way for romantic suspense for me. Shiloh Walker was a new-to-me author this year and she’s now one of my favorites. She knows how to write good, steamy love scenes with characters that connect with chemistry.
2. Crimson Moon by J.A. Saare. Another new-to-me author that landed her way onto my favorites list. This author has a way with words. I really enjoy reading her books and I can’t wait for more. She brings the characters to life.
3. Murphy’s Law by Sandy James. Great premise and well executed. I love the equine element to the story. I’ve been a horse lover since I was little.
4. Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder. A YA novel written beautifully in verse. This style of writing was new to me but Lisa Schroeder did a fabulous job of lyrically telling a story.
5. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles. My favorite book by this author so far. Simone Elkeles is the master of telling a story from alternating POVs and taps into a teenage mind with ease.
6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. A poignant YA novel that I believe should be required reading in junior high schools everywhere. It left me stunned.

Favorite Series

1. The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. Cat and Bones – need I say more? The chemistry between these two is fierce!
2. The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. I can’t believe I waited so long to read this series! I was hesitant to read it because it’s UF and I’m not a UF person – until now it seems. I’m going to try more UF. As long as there’s romance somewhere in the story, I’m in. I am anxiously awaiting for January 18th to come.
3. Firefighters of Station Five by Jo Davis. I am a sucker for firefighters (who isn’t, right?) and this series hit the spot. Romantic suspense with steamy love scenes. I really hope the series goes on. I’m not ready to let go of my boys.
4. The Redhead series (The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed) by Alice Clayton. This was a hilarious, steamy romance. This series took me by surprise. It was not at all what I was expecting; it was better!
5. The Ganzfield series (Minder and Adversary) by Kate Kaynak. This unique YA paranormal series is a hidden gem. Amazing world building, unique paranormal elements. I cannot wait to read Legacy.

Exciting Events
This year in September I went to a speaking engagement/book signing for Nicholas Sparks. This is the first time I’ve been to one of his signings and let me tell you, it was the book highlight of my year! He is the nicest guy. He was genuinely happy to be there with his fans. He spoke for about an hour about his life, his writing and other stuff. I feel even more in love with him.

Reading Challenges
I participated in 2 reading challenges this year: (1) the YA reading challenge and (2) the 100+ reading challenge. For the YA challenge, I started off at the Mini level (12 YA books) and accomplished that level in April. So I bumped myself up to the Just My Size level (25 YA books), which I reached in September. I could have done more than that but I got lazy and never updated my challenge page. As for the 100+ challenge, I missed it by 14 books. Close but no cigar.

For 2011 I have signed up for 14(!) reading challenges, 4 of which I created and am hosting myself. I know what you’re thinking. And yes, I’m nuts. But I believe all of the reading challenges I signed up for allow crossover reads from other challenges. What can I say, I’m an addict. You can check out my Reading Challenges page to see which ones I’m participating in and to check out my progress throughout the year.

And there you have it. What was the most memorable book moment of 2010 for you?