Sunday 2 January 2011

Favourite Books of 2010

I read 26 books during last year. The ones which rated highly with me are given below:-

The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet by Carole Matthews, Headline, 2007, ISBN 9780755335879 – A light easy read, but immensely enjoyable with lots of twists and turns. The writing style included some first person chapters. (This is the sequel of 'The Chocolate Lovers' Club' which I also read this year but did not rate as highly.)

The Glass Painter’s Daughter by Rachel Hore, Pocket Books UK, 2009, ISBN 9781847391407 – I read this in three days as I kept wanting to read more. I do wish I could write like this. Unputdownable.

The Dream House by Rachel Hore, Pocket Books UK, 2006, ISBN 9781416510994 – Really enjoyed this one. Sufficient intrigue, red herrings and sub plot to keep my interest. My mother really enjoyed this too!

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, STSS Publications, 2007, ISBN 9780747582977 – A compelling if harrowing and at times brutal story. I cried buckets at the end.

Reading in Bed by Sue Gee, Headline, 2007, ISBN 9780755339983 – I felt bereaved when I had finished this one. Slightly annoyed by the use of dashes instead of speech marks.

The Mysteries of Glass by Sue Gee, Headline, 2004, ISBN 9780755303106 – a very good book. The author has great descriptive powers. I think there should be a sequel to this book.

Writing From Life by Lynne Hackles, How To Books, 2010, ISBN 9781845284190 – I won this book on a blog competition. (Thank you Lynne Hackles.) A very useful, inspiring book for those considering writing about their own lives or using their life stories as a basis for other writing.

A Place of Secrets by Rachel Hore, Pocket Books, 2010, ISBN 9781847391421 – When I started reading this I was worried that it would not be as good as her other books, but it was actually the best yet.

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon, Hodder and Stoughton, 2009, ISBN 9780340919200 – After the first few chapters I was hooked. Loved it, as did my mother.

The Buried Circle by Jenni Mills, Harper Press, 2010, ISBN 9780007251230 – Very good, very scary, but compelling read.

Starting Over by Sue Moorcroft, Choc Lit, 2009, ISBN 9781906931123 – Light-hearted read with lots of twists and turns. Enjoyed it very much.

Kidnapped by Nicola Cornick, Mills and Boon Harlequin Historicals, 2009, ISBN 9780263875362 – Another blog competition win. (Thank you Nicola.) Written entirely in the first person in an admirable no nonsense style. I devoured it in a couple of days.

I look forward to many more favourite reads in 2011. My ‘to be read’ pile is huge already.

6 comments:

  1. I don't know how many books I read in 2010 but I don't think it was anywhere near 26 (I'm a slow reader). That's quite an impressive number, Morton. I think I shall keep a record of books read for 2011 just to see how much I do read.

    I've noticed your W-I-P sidebars - fantastic work, Morton. Good luck with the writing for this new year. :o)

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  2. Oh I've got to do this on my blog... I've got them ready in a spreadsheet.

    One of my 2011 to read is Starting Over. It might be the first one I start with this year actually! (As I need to read more chick-lit for research purposes obviously!)

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  3. This is a great idea; I like having books recommended to me! 26 books is very impressive. I don't read half as much as I should. I find when I get started I just want to keep reading, when I know I should be writing!

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  4. Alexandra - I only read on the loo and in bed. I rarely allow myself time to read during the day. My husband reads twice as many books as I do and a lot of those are classics and weighty, but then he does spend a lot of time in airports and hotels. The sidebars were meant to motivate me but at the moment they feel like they are hovering over me. Mmm not sure if they are a good idea if they are going to make me feel bad.

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  5. Teresa - I know you have read at least twice the number I have in 2010. I tried your book log website but couldn't get along with it. Maybe I'm an old fashioned girl who likes to keep some records on paper! 'Starting Over' is great and I've got two more Sue Moorcrofts waiting to be read. Happy reading. Look forward to reading your favourite book list. Mx

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  6. Hi Serenity - See you've already started a book log on your blog page http://serenitywoods.blogspot.com Good luck with that. I like your new pages and may add a few of my own. There do seem to be a lot of distractions to keep us from writing don't there? Mx

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