Best of 2010

This is the time of year that everyone from the New York Times to Entertainment Weekly are doing their "Best of " features. The thing is, I have read one book on both lists, and it was the same book. I look at the rest of the books on those lists and think really? I am not smart enough for some of those books. I tried to read Matterhorn, couldn't get past the first page. I made it about 100 pages into The Lonely Polygamist before putting it down. So I can't say I didn't try.

When it comes to choosing "Best of" lists, I believe it is totally subjective. As subjective as choosing your favorite foods. Not everyone's tastes are the same, I may hate mushrooms and you may hate chili, therefore our "Best of " lists are bound to be different.

This year I read 175 books. Seems like a lot, eh? Well of course it was a lot, I was unemployed until the end of April, so of course I was able to read 58 books in the first four months of the year. As I go throughout the year, I like to give the title of "Best of" to books that really WOW me. I give it to books that captivate me, shock me, and leave me still thinking about the story several days later.

This year my "Best of" list consists of The Millennium Trilogy. Just like the rest of the world, I was captivated by that Scandinavian lass and her hacking antics. I was also intrigued by a hybrid named Lucy and a group of Angelologists. Of course I can't forget about that black German Shepherd, Joe. I have read a lot of good books this year. Books that made me laugh, books that made me cry, books that scared me to death, and books that kept me up all night. Mostly I read books that entertained me and stretched my mind just a little. In the end, that is all I really want in a book I read. To learn a little something that I didn't know and give me the opportunity to escape my life for a few moments.

What books made your "Best of" list this year?