A Look Back at 2010

Here is my 2010 Reading List {2008 list; 2009 list}

December

129.  The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney {12/29/10} {lb}

128.  Scared to Death by Wendy Corsi Staub {12/27/10}

127.  Impulse by Ellen Hopkins {12/26/10} {lb}

126.  Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus {12/20/10} {lb}

125.  Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender {12/19/10} {lb}

124.  The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere {12/18/10}

123.  The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere {12/18/10}

122.  The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere {12/17/10}

121.  The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere {12/17/10}

120.  Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard {12/14/10}

119.  All I Have to Give by Melody Carlson {12/14/10}

118.  Let it Snow by John Green, Lauren Myracle, Maureen Johnson {12/11/10}

117.  Broken by Karin Slaughter {12/8/10} {lb}

116.  Undone by Karin Slaughter {12/5/10} {lb}

115.  Still Missing by Chevy Stevens {12/2/10} {lb}

114.  Vanish by Tess Gerritsen {12/1/10} {lb}

November

113.  Night Road by Kristin Hannah {11/27/10} {review copy}

112.  The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere {11/27/10} {review copy}

111.  The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood {11/26/10}

110.  Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks {11/25/10}

109.  The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan {11/5/10} {lb}

108.  Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway {11/13/10}

107.  Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans {11/13/10} {review copy}

106.  Room by Emma Donoghue {11/12/10}

105.  Lucky by Alice Sebold {11/12/10}

104.  My Maasai Life by Robin Wiszowaty {11/11/10} {review copy}

103.  Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane {11/11/10} {lb}

102.  Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee {11/7/10} {lb}

101.  The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton {11/4/10} {review copy}

100.  The World Made Flesh by Justin Taylor & Eva Talmadge {11/1/10} {review copy}

99.  Juliet by Anne Fortier {11/1/10} {lb}

October

98.  The Husband by Dean Koontz {10/30/10} {lb}

97.  The Debutante by Kathleen Tessaro {10/27/10} {review copy}

96.  Single in Suburbia by Wendy Wax {10/24/10} {lb}

95.  The Art of Losing by Rebecca Connell {10/17/10}

94.  How Did You Get This Number by Sloane Crosley {10/10/10} {lb}

93.  If I Stay by Gayle Forman {10/8/10} {lb}

92.  The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter {10/6/10} {review copy}

91.  I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron {10/6/10} {lb}

90.  Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins {10/4/10} {lb}

89.  The Homecoming Party by Carmine Abate {10/2/10}

September

88.  Knowing Jesse by Marianne Leone {9/28/10} {review copy}

87.  Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella {9/24/10}

86.  Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins {9/24/10} {lb}

85.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins {9/20/10} {lb}

84.  The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky {9/18/10} {lb}

83.  Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner {9/14/10} {lb}

82.  Red Hook Road by Ayelet Waldman {9/10/10} {lb}

81.   You'll Never Blue Ball in This Town Again by Heather McDonald {9/8/10}

80.   I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore {9/6/10}

79.  The Life You've Imagined by Kristina Riggle {9/5/10} {review copy}

78.  Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner {9/4/10} {lb}

77.  Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther {9/4/10}

August

76.  Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor {8/31/10} {lb}

75.  Vanishing by Deborah Willis {8/20/10} {review copy}

74.  Everything is Going to be Great by Rachel Shukert {8/17/10} {review copy}

73.  The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard {8/15/10} {lb}

72.  In This Way I Was Saved by Brian DeLeeus {8/13/10} {review copy}

71.  Never Wave Goodbye by Doug Magee {8/11/10} {lb}

70.  Five Days Apart by Chris Binchy {8/8/10} {review copy}

69.  Family Ties by Danielle Steel {8/6/10} {lb}

68.  Todos Santos by Deborah Clearman {8/4/10} {review copy}

July

67.  Natalie Wood:  A Life by Gavin Lambert {7/27/10} {lb}

66.  My Soviet Kitchen by Amy Spurling {7/26/10}  {review copy}
65.  Dune Road by Jane Green {7/25/10} {lb}
64.  Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler {7/20/10}

63.  The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb {7/16/10}

62.  Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan {7/5/10} {review copy}

June61.  My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares {6/25/10} {review copy}

60.  Things I Wish I'd Known by Linda Green {6/23/10} {review copy}

59.  I Am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirkby {6/17/10} {review copy}

58.  The Starlet by Mary McNamara {6/15/10} {review copy}

57.  Sizzle by Julie Garwood {6/5/10} {lb}

56.  The Help by Kathryn Stockett {6/4/10}

May

55.  The Truth About Delilah Blue by Tish Cohen {5/26/10} {review copy}

54.  Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind {5/15/10}

53.  Whiter than Snow by Sandra Dallas {5/15/10} {review copy}

52.  Life After Yes by Aidan Donnelley Rowley {5/9/10} {review copy}

51.  Caught by Harlan Coben {5/8/10} {lb}

50.  Rape:  A Love Story by Joyce Carol Oates {5/3/10} {lb}49. Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani {5/2/10} {lb}

April
48. The River by Mary Jane Beaufrand {4/28/10} {lb}47. Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani {4/27/10} {lb}46. Learning to Swim by Cheryl Klam {4/23/10} {lb}45. Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur {4/21/10} {lb}

44. Push by Sapphire {4/20/10}

43. I Will Carry You by Angie Smith {4/19/10}
42. Broken Glass Park by Alina Bronsky {4/16/10} {review copy}41. One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel {4/14/10} {lb}

40. Resilience by Elizabeth Edwards {4/12/10} {lb}
39. No Time To Wave Goodbye by Jacquelyn Mitchard {4/11/10} {lb}38. 3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows by Ann Brashares {4/6/10} {lb}37. Big Girl by Danielle Steel {4/6/10} {lb}36. After by Amy Efaw {4/4/10} {lb}35. What Difference Do It Make? by Ron Hall and Denver Moore {4/3/10} {review copy}
34. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan {4/1/10}{lb}

March
33. Guest House by Barbara Richardson {3/29/10} {review copy}32. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins {3/28/10} {lb}
31. Still Life by Joy Fielding {3/24/10} {lb}30. Look Again by Lisa Scottoline {3/23/10} {lb} 
29. Heart of Stone by Jill Marie Landis {3/19/10} {review copy}28. Dating Game by Danielle Steel {3/14/10} {lb}27. Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad {3/12/10}
26. Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinksy {3/11/10} {lb}25. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles {3/9/10}
24. The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus {3/9/10}
23. House Rules by Jodi Picoult {3/5/10}
22. A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve {3/4/10} {lb}
21. Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell {3/2/10} {review copy}

February
20. Long Lost by Harlan Cobeb {2/27/10} {lb}19. Live to Tell by Wendy Corsi Staub {2/26/10}
18. Killer Gorgeous by Jane Holleman {2/17/10}
17. Without You by Anthony Rapp {2/15/10}
16. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah {2/15/10}
15. Burned by Ellen Hopkins {2/13/10}
14. Sweethearts by Sara Zarr {2/12/10} {lb}
13. Going too Far by Jennifer Echols {2/11/10}
12. Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky {2/10/10}
11. Dancer by Colum McCann {2/8/10}
10. Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife by Francine Prose {2/7/10} {lb}
9. Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr {2/5/10} {lb}
8. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella {2/2/10} {lb}

January
7. Dying Scream by Mary Burton {1/30/10}
6. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll {1/24/10}
5. Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore {1/16/10}
4. Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell {1/14/10}
3. The Courage Tree by Diane Chamberlain {1/9/10}
2. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler {1/4/10}
1. The Wrong Mother by Sophie Hannah {1/2/10}

please note that {lb} equals library book.

December Books

Vanish by Tess Gerritsen (December 1, 2010)
This was my first Tess Gerritsen book, and I was pleasantly surprised.  It was creepy, fast paced, and suspenseful...everything I ask for in a good mystery.


Still Missing by Chevy Stevens (December 2, 2010)
I really enjoyed this book, except for the sections in the therapist's office.  Those parts seemed too forced to me, and really unnecessary.  However, anytime Annie looked into the past (through her abduction and thereafter) I was so hooked.  I found myself skipping the therapy sessions and going straight to the time when Annie was abducted.  I could kind of see the ending coming as far as who was behind Annie's kidnapping, but I was still a little shocked when I read it.  Overall, it was pretty good. 


Undone by Karin Slaughter (December 5, 2010)
I forgot how much I love Karin Slaughter's books, but I also forgot how gory they are!  Eeek, nightmares tonight.  Even though this is part of a series, I didn't read the book before this and yet I didn't feel lost at all!  I love these books and am searching the library for any books I missed.


Broken by Karin Slaughter (December 8, 2010)
I spoke too soon.  I just could not get into this book.


Let it Snow by John Green, Lauren Myracle, & Maureen Johnson (December 11, 2010)
Loved it!  I've seen this book around for a couple of years in the blog-o-sphere, but I finally read it.  It was funny, yet touching and I loved how all the stories intertwined (especially at the end).  Though I have to admit that I cringed at some of the silly choices the teenagers made (like driving to a Waffle House in the worst blizzard ever!).  Makes me feel like an old woman, or perhaps I was freaking out over the mounting snow outside my window.  Other than that, I really enjoyed this book a lot.


All I Have to Give:  A Christmas Love Story by Melody Carlson (December 14, 2010)
Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas stories?  Well I do!  This one was so touching.  I loved the Gift of the Magi feel, and it was sweet what Michael and Anna did for each other.  My only complaint is Anna.  I felt that when she suddenly thought she had ovarian cancer she should have went to the doctor to confirm.  I knew that she would magically be pregnant, and I didn't mind that but I could have done without the ovarian cancer "scare".


Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard (December 14, 2010)
This is the most depressing Christmas story ever.  It did not put me in the Christmas spirit, it made me sad!  I kept waiting for the Christmas miracle to make everything better, but it didn't happen.  I felt so hopeless at the end.  It was really well-written, just not what I wanted to read during Christmas.


The Christmas Promise  by Donna VanLiere (December 17, 2010)
Well, I really read these books out of order.  Oops!  Anyways, I started with this book and was enthralled by Miss Glory and all of her good deeds.  It was so inspirational and made me want to help out more around the holiday season.


The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere (December 17, 2010)
This was my favorite one!  I loved Patti and Mark's story and loved how Emily brought them back together through their unthinkable tragedy.  It was a beautiful story and it had a great ending.


The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere (December 18, 2010)
I probably should have read this one first.  I was familiar with the song, but didn't know it was a book.  I cried buckets during the ending of this book though.  It was neat to see Nathan as a little boy since I already "met" him when I read the Christmas Hope (I should have read them in order).  Great book and I can't wait to watch the movie!


The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere (December 18, 2010)
I really don't have much more I can say about these books.  But it's official....I've read every Donna VanLiere Christmas book written as of 2010.  Yay me!  I love her books because they are inspirational and I always cry (sometimes good, sometimes sad).


Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender (December 19, 2010)
I've been meaning to read this book for awhile, and I'm so happy that I could finally get it from the library!  I loved the ghost story in this book - it didn't seem cheesy at all.  There were times when I was freaked out by Kasey...I was yelling at Lexi to run or throw her out the window (I'm apparently psychotic and would have no problem throwing my possessed sister out a window).  This is one book that I would love to see turned into a movie.


Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (December 24, 2010)
Not as good as The Nanny Diaries!  It's been awhile since I read the first book, so it took awhile for me to get into this one.  I have to say that I was really disinterested in Nan's job and found those sections super boring.  Also, I just didn't like Nan as much this time.  Kind of disappointing.  


Impulse by Ellen Hopkins (December 26, 2010)
Ellen Hopkins is perfection.  Her stories never disappoint me.


Scared to Death by Wendy Corsi Staub (December 27, 2010)
I love Wendy Corsi Staub.  Seriously.  Every time I go to her signings I am reminded of what a kind human being she is.  She has not forgotten where she came from and she is truly thankful for her community.  It's great.  This book was the follow up to Live to Tell and, as usual, I was hooked from the first page.  The killer was a complete surprise, in fact I thought it was someone else and I had convinced myself 100% that I figured it out...but I was wrong.  Don't you love that?  I can't wait for the third book in this trilogy!  


The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney (December 29, 2010)
I went to a library out of town yesterday, but in the same county so my library card worked.  I was so excited when I saw this book out on display because I've heard great things about it but would have to wait 6 months to get it through interlibrary loan (such a pain sometimes).  But I checked it out and read it immediately.  Wow.  I've never read a book dealing with date rape and I thought that this was a great case.  I love the idea of a student justice system that actually works and would love to see a second book dealing with it (seemed like there could be a sequel).  It was a great book and an important book and there is an important lesson here.  If you are drunk you cannot legally give consent and the most important lesson of all..."silence does not equal consent".

Christmas Shopping with CSN Stores

You guys know how much I love CSN Stores, right?!  CSN has over 200 online stores, which makes it the perfect place to finish my Christmas shopping.  They have some great TV stands for flat screens, which would motivate me to buy that flat screen I have my eye on for my bedroom.  I don't have a lot of room, but I definitely need a flat TV because my other TV is a monstrosity.  Plus, the TV stands are much cuter for flat screens.  


Would it be wrong if I purchased furniture for myself for Christmas?  Anyways, I have a review coming up soon from CSN Stores.  I'm sure I'll spend the next 8-10 hours browsing their site.

November Books

Juliet by Anne Fortier (November 1, 2010)
While I was not crazy about the flashback chapters to the 1300s, I found this book to be very enjoyable in present time.  I would have enjoyed this book more if Fortier had stuck to a modern-day retelling without the back story!  I did enjoy the twists and turns throughout the book, and was eager to find out the big mystery!  I thought it was a pretty solid debut novel though.


The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan (November 5, 2010)
I loved this book!  It was a nice, different story, especially when there are so many werewolves and vampires running around.  I enjoyed the mermaid aspect of this story and have never read any other mermaid tales.  It was definitely a great book and I hope there is a sequel!


Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee (November 7, 2010)
I really related to this book and felt like I could be Rosie.  I loved when Kyle said, "when you see a person's eyes and smile, you don't see how much they weigh" (totally paraphrasing that).  What a beautiful sentiment and I wish more people today could be that way.  I loved Rosie's relationship with Kay Kay, she really needed a friend all along and he needed one that wouldn't judge.  I also loved that Kyle loved her for who she is and not what she weighed.  Also, I hated her Aunt Mary - ugh!  This is a great book for teens who struggle with self-image, and even adults (raising my hand here).  I highly recommend this book!


Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane (November 11, 2010)
This follow-up to Gone, Baby, Gone had me on the edge of my seat throughout the first 2/3 of the book, however, I was unimpressed the conclusion.  I wanted more for Amanda.  She had a great life ready for her to live, good grades and great work ethic got her a full scholarship to a great school and she had her choice of colleges.  However, she got mixed up in something that theoretically she should not have chosen if she were so determined to succeed.  So, the first part was good but I hated the ending.   


Lucky by Alice Sebold (11/12/10)
I love this book, even though it's graphic.  The first chapter makes me cry and cringe at the same time, every time I read it!  Alice was such a strong woman and unfortunately not a lot of rape victims go through with the trial.  This book is a great account of everything she went through.  The best part is that the library was taking it off the shelf because it's so rough, so they gave it to me!  


Room by Emma Donoghue (11/12/10)
This book was so good, that I sat on my bed reading straight through and stayed up until midnight.  I planned to only read the first 50 pages, but I couldn't put it down.  The language between Jack and Ma in the Room was so interesting to read, as was the way they coped after getting out.  I would love to read a sequel to this book in a couple of years, just so I could check in with them.  Great book!


Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway (11/13/10)
What a fun book!  I know I'm late on the bandwagon, but I just loved this book.  Audrey was such a fun character, I wish I could hang out with her.  This would make a great movie.


Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks (11/25/10)
Definitely not his best book.  I did not cry at all, which makes me mad!  I specifically read N. Sparks when I need a good cry!  Maybe I'm just getting sick of people falling in love after 10 minutes and it's all so predictable.


The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud (11/26/10)
I really enjoyed this book.  I had a sneaking suspicion of the twist that was coming, but was still satisfied with it.  I was on the edge of my seat and definitely cried.  However, I made the mistake of watching the movie immediately after finishing the book and I have to say that the book is a million times better than the movie.


Night Road by Kristin Hannah (11/27/10)
*Provided by LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Program:  Wow! The minute I picked up this book, I was hooked. I loved Firefly Lane, so I was eager to read Night Road and Kristin Hannah did not let me down. 

I was hanging on to every detail about Lexi, Zach and Mia and was so happy that Lexi's life turned out good despite having a poor role model in her mother. She had friends, family and was happy until it all changed. I knew it was coming, but I didn't know what the details would be. I thought it was a great representation of teen drinking nowadays and how even people who have just one drink think they are okay to drive. I liked how Jude talked to her kids about calling for help and they wouldn't get in trouble, but I kind of cringed when they did get in trouble.

My only complaint is that this book wasn't long enough. I wanted more details on what happened after Lexi got back. Other than that, this was an amazing book that had me in tears throughout a good majority of it!