Fulfilling my duty by telling you what to read

I love top 10 lists. Seriously. They make my heart sing with joy and laughter. I'm not sure why, but I can't get enough. I also love books. So now, for the first time ever, I am combining these two loves into one great post! My top 10 favorite books! That I've read this year! Because honestly, top 10 of all time would be way too hard.

Now without further ado, and in no particular order, my top 10 favorite books read since June 2008!

1. The Eugenides books by Megan Whalen Turner: The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The Kind of Attolia. Right away, I'm starting with a cheat. This is three books! I know for sure that The Thief isn't my favorite of the three, but it's the first book in the series. So it's necessary. And the other two are just so near and dear to my heart that I truly can't decide. But hey, my list, my rules, right?

Anywho, these books are fascinating mixes of political intrigue, Greek-like mythology, adventure, and romance. The twists and turns are jaw-dropping in the best way possible. I for one am waiting with baited breath for book 4, currently set to be released in 2010. Praise be!

Recommended for: Practically everyone. Not Mom, probably (a bit too intense for her, unless I miss my guess), but anyone else over age 12.

2. Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George. The first book in a trilogy, all of which I enjoyed immensely. But I think Dragon Slippers is still my favorite. It's a fabulously fun, exciting, and hilarious book about a girl, some princes, some dragons, and copious amounts of embroidery. Oh, and a few dogs. Few heroines are as spunky as Creel, and few princes are as charming and yet refreshingly normal as Luka. Plus, dragons!


Recommended for: I can't think of a soul who would not like this book given the chance. Maybe more aimed to girls, but boys should appreciate the dragons and action. Don't be fooled by the embroidery, boys! It's an exciting book!

3. Impossible by Nancy Werlin. A compelling book based in part on the song "Scarborough Fair." This book grabbed me and wouldn't let me go until I had devoured it. It was certainly dark and mysterious, but also one of the most romantic books I've ever read.


Recommended for: People who like their romance to be real, deep, and profound.

4. Sorcery and Cecelia, or, the Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. The most entertaining mix of Jane Austen and Harry Potter I've ever read. And that's saying something. But seriously, it combines the joy of Austen--social commentary, young ladies of quality (but not necessarily means) looking for love--with magic!

Recommended for: Classic literature lovers who also love fantasy.

5. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel. Another start of a trilogy. I like trilogies. But, as I've only read this one so far (I'm about halfway through book 2!) this is the one I'm recommending. I will steal my excellent Goodreads review: Jam packed with adventure, pirates, airships that sail the sky like an ocean liner does the ocean, mysterious winged mammals, shipwrecks, desert islands, more adventure, more pirates, and a wee bit of romance. Yay! While listening to this audio book in my car, I kept hoping I would be stopped by red lights, so I could listen a little longer. Now that's a good book.

Recommended for: Anyone who likes a good adventure (and who doesn't?)

6. The Book Thief by Marcus Zuzak. As with many books about dark times in history, this book about the Holocaust was challenging to read. It's been quite some time since a book made me cry this much. But it was also really rewarding. It was funny, touching, inspiring, and heartbreaking. It may not be the easiest read, but it's important for us to see both humanity's heights and depths, horror and beauty. Man, I need a hug.

Recommended for: Teens and adults.

7. The Larklight trilogy by Philip Reeve. Is it really cheating if I make the rules? Nope. So I'm including another trilogy. Another steampunk adventure, this time complete with cheeky British humor! The books have fabulous illustrations, and the audiobooks have a hilarious narrator. It's a win-win! You can't go wrong!

Recommended for: People who like sci-fi, British imperialism, and British comedy. Plus pirates and aliens. Well, good grief. Everyone likes at least some of those, right?

8. A Curse Dark As Gold by Elizabeth Bunce. Bunce's first (but hopefully not last) novel is a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin story in an industrial revolution type of world. Magic, romance, mystery, all combined in a creepy but beautiful story. One that I'm eager to re-read.

Recommended for: People who like fairy tales and/or history.

9. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Well, I'll just say that I really, really hope the future isn't like this. After a heinous war destroys the United States, the remnants of the population are kept in line through the Hunger Games, the world's suckiest reality show. 12 boys and 12 girls compete in the televised event. The winner gets fame and fortune, plus a better life for the rest of their district. Everyone else gets dead. Somewhat brutal, it's not for the very young or the faint of heart. But I was breathless throughout. And when I reached the cliffhanger ending (I swear I did not know this was going to be a series), I literally yelled, "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!" for a good 20 minutes. What's going to happen?!?!?!?! Oh the humanity!

Recommended for: People who like intense stories of survival and don't mind some gore to go with it.

10. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and Frankenstein Takes the Cake, written and illustrated by Adam Rex. For my last, I thought I'd mix it up. It's a book of poetry! For kids! About movie monsters! One of the funniest things I've ever read, with brilliant pictures. Adam Rex is my hero.

Recommended for: The young and the young at heart. And the restless.

Honorable mentions (aka, you didn't think I'd pick just 10, right? Even counting the trilogies as only one book each?)

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier. A wonderful retelling of the 12 dancing princesses and one other fairy tale which I'm loathe to spoil here.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter. A private girls' school for spys!

The Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. Don't let the early reader label fool you. These books rock my socks. They're just that awesome.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me. I'm not even joking.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Might be my fav. fantasy of all time, but it's cheating--I read it almost 2 years ago (gasp!).