2010 in books

My 50 Books in a Year post is here. I only read 42 this year (not counting the one I'm currently reading), which is better than last year, but still not good enough. Oh, well.

Absolute favorite of the year: The Safety of Objects by A.M. Homes

Published to overwhelming critical acclaim, this extraordinary collection of short stories established A. M. Homes as one of the most provocative and daring writers of her generation. Here you'll find the cult classic "A Real Doll," the tale of a teenage boy's erotic obsession with his sister's favorite doll; "Adults Alone," which first introduced Paul and Elaine, the crack-smoking yuppie couple whose marriage careens out of control in Homes's novel Music for Torching; and "Looking for Johnny," in which a kidnapped boy, having failed his abductor's expectations, is returned home.

Brilliantly conceived, sharply etched, and exceptionally satisfying, these stories explore the American dream in ways you're not likely soon to forget. Working in Kodacolor hues, Homes offers an uncanny picture of a surreal suburbia-outrageous and utterly believable.

There isn't much to say about this one. I suggest everyone read this. I'm in love with her writing, and I cannot wait to read more books of hers. (P.S. 'This Book Will Save Your Life' by her is very, very good, too)

One that so lived up to the hype: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Mikael Blomkvist, a once-respected financial journalist, watches his professional life rapidly crumble around him. Prospects appear bleak until an unexpected (and unsettling) offer to resurrect his name is extended by an old-school titan of Swedish industry. The catch--and there's always a catch--is that Blomkvist must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades. With few other options, he accepts and enlists the help of investigator Lisbeth Salander, a misunderstood genius with a cache of authority issues. Little is as it seems in Larsson's novel, but there is at least one constant: you really don't want to mess with the girl with the dragon tattoo.

We all know most books just don't live up to the hype, but this one definitely did. It was very exciting to read, and it kept me guessing and wanting more. I've also read the second book in the series, 'The Girl Who Played With Fire,' which was just as good. I cannot wait to read the third one in 2011.

New crush: Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood #2) by J.R. Ward 

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret bound of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed bu a deadly beast Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the time when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant to Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves...

Rhage is to die for! My friend Kathy got me into these series, and I've read every single one of them this year. They're all good. And the brothers are all sexy and dangerous in their own way, yet Rhage was my biggest crush of the year.

 * * *

I was trying to come up with other categories, but it seems I've mostly read series this year, so this is all I've got. My New Year's resolution is to finish reading the books that I bought and haven't gotten around to yet!

Click pic to go to post.