Best Books of 2010!

The Best Books of 2010!

This year was a great year for new releases and, in particular, debut authors. I read a total of 18 2010 novels this year, and from those, I've narrowed them down to my favorites.
It was actually pretty easy to pick my top three favorites releases of 2010, and of those books, three books tied for FAVORITE READ of 2010. I'm calling them the Triple-K Alliance: Kelley, Kiersten, and Kersten -
and their masterpieces:

Nevermore, Kelly Creagh

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. His life depends on it.

In A Nutshell: Brilliant - absolutely brilliant! There are no words. I loved this book and it is absolutely beyond me what I'm going to do until 2012 when the next book comes out!

Paranormalcy, Kiersten White

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours. But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. So much for normal.

In A Nutshell: Nobody does cute - and PINK - like Kiersten White. You'll love Evie (and Lend) and lose yourself in this delightfully fun, heartwarming story about one girl's quest to be find 'normalcy.'

Tyger Tyger, Kersten Hamilton

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems. Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

In A Nutshell: Kersten is a master storyteller, crafting a vivid and unique storyworld based on all that is amazing about Celtic mythology. I just devoured this book and can't wait to see what's in store for Abby, Finn, and all the goblins!

My Top 5 other favorites are:

The Shadow Hunt, Katherine Langrish
Tempestuous, Lesley Livingston
Perchance to Dream, Lisa Mantchev
The Replacement, Brenna Yovanoff
I Am Number Four, Pittacus Lore

Full List of 2010 books read:

Anxious Hearts
Brightly Woven
Forgive My Fins
I Am Number Four
The Iron King
Lies
Low Red Moon
Mockingjay
Nevermore
Paranormalcy
Perchance to Dream
The Replacement
Sapphique
The Shadow Hunt
Tempestuous
Thirteen Days to Midnight
Tyger Tyger
The Witches Kitchen

In My Mailbox [1]

Yay for the first IMM post of 2011!
Over the last week I accumulated quite a nice-size stack of good books.
Received for Review
Time Riders - Alex Scarrow
Deception - Lee Nichols
Secondhand Charm - Julie Berry

Special thanks to BloomsburyUSA Children's

Bought
The Lost Saint - Bree Despain
(I love you, Amazon - I got this *exactly* on the 28th!)
Matched - Ally Condie

Upcoming Reviews
Redwall - Brian Jacques
Deception - Lee Nichols
The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness

Just Finished
The Knife of Never Letting Go

Currently Reading
Secondhand Charm - Julie Berry
Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta

Coming Up Next
Darkness Becomes Her - Kelly Keaton

What did you guys get? And HAPPY NEW YEAR!