Each year I look back on the books I’ve read and highlight a few of my favorites. Looking back on 2010, it looks like I read fewer books than in the previous years, and was less excited about the ones I did read. Not sure I read any truly great books this year. (Although I did read a truly horrible book, from one of my favorite authors, Jonathan Lethem: Chronic City.)
All that said, here are the books I read in 2010 for the first time that I liked best:
Too Big to Fail, by Andrew Sorkin — great, detailed account of the meltdown of the financial sector. I think not as readable as Michael Lewis’ The Big Short, which I’m in the middle of, but very interesting.
The Windup Girl, by Paolo Bacigalupi — great, original science fiction of a very believable and bleak future. Wasn’t perfect, but very good.
Room, very hard book to read, but probably the most original, thoughtful voice in fiction I read this year. On a lot of folks’ Top of 2010 lists.
Four Fish, by Paul Greenberg — a detailed look at human relationships with the four main types of fish we consume voraciously. Everyone should read this one.
The Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins — a really terrific young adult series that I devoured in about a week. Reminded me a lot of The Running Man, and was extremely readable.
So those are my five for 2010. (What were yours??) Looking forward to great stuff in 2011. 🙂
Of all the books I read this year, two stood out.
A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz – A sprawling family epic based in Australia that is both a page turner and incredibly thought-provoking.
The Ghost in Love by Jonathan Carroll – I’m a huge Carroll fan and this one doesn’t disappoint. Death, memory and the nature of personality all make this a powerful read.
Based on your recommendation I’m on the lookout for The Windup Girl.