I love to read, at least fiction. All my friends know this. Hence I get hit up for book recommendations pretty frequently. Yes, I am the friend that got all of my friends to read Twilight. And The Hunger Games. You're very, very welcome.
I read for pleasure; I read for entertainment; and I read to step out of my life for a moment. Not everything I read is classic literature. Sometimes it's not even what I would consider "good" writing. My main reason for reading is because it's cheap fun.
Last year I read 88 books, which you can see on the right. I probably would read more if I had the time or didn't need to sleep. Most of these books I checked out at the public library, which was free except for the $3 in late fees. If I bought every book I read, I would be spending over $1000 a year on books, so I really only buy books I love and know I will read again.
I don't have a favorite genre of books, as there are very few I don't like. Not big into horror. Or romance, although I enjoy love stories. But I have favorites in almost any other style you could think of.
So, here's my book list for 2010. I'm on a fantasy kick lately as you can see. I wonder what it'll be next year?
1. The Twilight Saga: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, & Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
If you haven't read these yet, put on your big girl panties and do it. I know they're about vampires and werewolves. I know they're marketed for teenagers. But there is a reason it's a worldwide phenomenon. Honestly, the fantasy part of it's secondary to the wonderful love story between Edward and Bella and the love triangle between those two and Jacob. I've read these books more times than I can count. Don't roll your eyes at me. You can't knock it till you've read it. They're way better than the movies. And if you've read those, have you read Midnight Sun, which is Twilight from Edward's viewpoint?
2. The Hunger Games Trilogy: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, & Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Yet another series marketed for young adult readers. I seem to be reading a lot of those lately, maybe because they're less smutty and have to focus on a good storyline instead of a racy romance? This story is about a girl name Katniss who is chosen from her district as tribute to fight to the death in the Hunger Games against 23 other tributes. There is a great love triangle in there as well between Katniss, her longtime friend Gale and her fellow tribute from District 12, Peeta. Don't want to miss this fantastic series.
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, & Return of the King by J.R.R. Tokien
My husband would not let me go see the movies until I had first read the books, so I did and fell in love. They're some of my all-time favorites. Not what I would call an "easy read" by any means, but I'm sure you can manage. Skip all the poetry the first time through if you want as it's not necessary for the story. Each time I read it, I see things that I didn't see before. You've seen the movies, so you know the basic story. Now read the books.
4. Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster
Easy summer read that is laugh-out-loud funny. Jen says the things I think, is quite irreverant and made me a little embarassed that I thought she was so funny. The books tagline says it all: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office. Thanks to MG for recommending this one to me!
5. Harry Potter Series: The Sorcerer's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, & The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I read these for the first time at the end of last year. Never had appealed to me before but I was completely out of reading material, so decided that their popularity must mean something. So I checked them out at the library and poured through all seven of them in three weeks. I promptly checked them out a second time and read them all the way through again. Then I bought the lot. It's a magical story about a boy who learns he is a wizard and his fight against the evil wizard who killed his parents... like you don't know. Read them!
6. The Inheritance Series: Eragon, Eldest, & Brsinger by Christopher Paolini
A story about a boy and his dragon and their battle against evil. Kind of reminded me of a simpler-styled Lord of the Rings. Still (not) patiently waiting for the fourth & final installment of this series. He wrote the first one book at 15. Boy do I feel lazy and dumb.
7. Study Series: Poison Study, Magic Study, & Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
A women who is a food taster for poisons? Sold! In a land where killing someone ends you up on the end of a noose -- no matter if it was accidental or self-defense -- Yelena gets a stay of execution in trade for becoming the Commander's food taster. And that's just the beginning of the story. Great reads!
8. Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, City of Ashes, & City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
These three were a little slow here and there, but I did enjoy them nonetheless. Clary finds out when her mother disappears that she has been keeping secrets from her, most importantly that she is a Shadowhunter. This book has a plethora of creatures such as werewolves, vampires, demons and wizards. Lots of good looking guys and hand-to-hand combat too. If you like these, Clare has another Shadowhunter series she just started with the first book titled Clockwork Angel.
9. Wolves of Mercy Falls Series: Shiver & Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
These two books -- which I'm assuming will eventually include at least a third -- have an interesting take on werewolves: they shape-shift when it gets cold. Grace is fascinated by the wolves that live in the forest behind her yard after being attacked by them as a child, being especially attracted to one with yellow eyes. The story begins with her finding an injured boy, Sam, on her back porch with those same eyes which she knows is her wolf. Flew through both of these bittersweet books.
10. Graceling & Fire by Kristin Cashore
While these two books are not a series, they are both set in the same world and do have one overlapping character that I won't spoil. Graceling is about a girl named Katsa. She is a Graceling -- marked with two different colored eyes -- which are people with special talents such as dancing, cooking, -- or in Katsa's case -- fighting. Fire is about a human monster, so beautiful she has to hide from others lest they kill her. Both are two of my favorites ever. Read them!
Guess those are my top ten... for now. At least until I read something else! Love to hear what your recommendations are.